How to Control anger?

Anger is a powerful emotion. When unchecked, it can burn relationships, disturb mental peace, and derail one’s spiritual journey. In the Bhagavad-gītā, Lord Krishna warns us of the dangers of anger: “From anger, complete delusion arises, and from delusion, bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost, one falls down again into the material pool.” (Bhagawad Gita 2.63)

The nature of anger and practical tools to control it, all rooted in the ancient wisdom of the Vedic scriptures.

1. Understanding the Root of Anger

As per our scriptures, Anger is not an isolated emotion but a by-product of unfulfilled desires. When our material expectations are not met, we experience frustration, which quickly transforms into anger. This is clearly described in Bhagavad-gītā (2.62-63): “While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment… from attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises.”

The Vedic approach, therefore, doesn’t merely suggest suppressing anger but understanding and uprooting it from its source—lust and material attachment.

2. Spiritual Identity and Detachment to control anger

Scriptures teaches that we are not these temporary material bodies, but eternal spirit souls (jīva) who are part and parcel of Krishna. When we forget this identity and misidentify with the body and mind, we become easily disturbed by external situations. Anger arises when our ego feels threatened, or our plans are obstructed.

By cultivating knowledge of our spiritual identity and engaging in devotional service (bhakti-yoga), we learn to become detached from the fruits of action and less reactive to provocations. A devotee accepts challenges as Krishna’s arrangement and thus remains peaceful even in provoking circumstances.

3. The Power of Devotional Practices to control anger

Devotional service includes chanting the holy names of the Lord (especially the Hare Krishna Mahā-mantra), hearing from scriptures, and serving the Lord with love. These practices purify the mind and heart, replacing anger, greed, and pride with compassion, humility, and tolerance.

The great saints emphasized the chanting of the Mahā-mantra as a transformative tool:

“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare”

Regular chanting helps redirect the mind from negative emotions and connects it with the divine. A mind absorbed in Krishna cannot simultaneously harbor anger.

4. Association of Devotees

Another powerful aspect approach is sādhu-saṅga, the association of saintly devotees. By regularly associating with those who are spiritually advanced and peaceful, one naturally imbibes their qualities. Devotee communities support each other in navigating challenges, including emotional ones like anger.

The question comes from where we can approach the associatino of saintly persons?  Near to your residents there might be pure institutions like ISKCON where one can get the association of devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda often said that just as iron becomes red-hot in fire, the conditioned soul becomes purified by the association of pure devotees.

5. Forgiveness and Humility

Scriptures promotes the development of qualities like forgiveness, tolerance, and humility as essential for spiritual advancement. Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu instructed: “tṛṇād api sunīcena taror api sahiṣṇunā…” — one should be more humble than a blade of grass and more tolerant than a tree.

Anger often arises from pride and the need to control others. By cultivating humility, one naturally becomes more forgiving and less reactive.

6. Using Anger in Krishna’s Service

Interestingly, Scriptures teaches that anger, like any other emotion, can be purified and used in Krishna’s service. For instance, a devotee may become righteously angry at injustice or blasphemy against the Lord, not for personal ego but out of love for Krishna.

This is exemplified in the life of Hanuman, who burned Lanka not out of personal vendetta but in devotion to Lord Rama.