From Lust to Rage - The Psychology of Becoming Angry
Anger is one of the most destructive forces in human relationships, yet few understand its true origin. We often believe we become angry because of external circumstances—someone insulted us, a plan failed, or an injustice occurred. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda traces the root of anger back to a single internal cause: lust (kāma). In the material world, anger is simply the transformation of unfulfilled desire. This article explores the psychology behind becoming angry and why it is considered a gateway to hell.
Transformation of Lust
The Bhagavad-gītā explains the genealogy of emotional states. First comes contemplation of the senses, which leads to attachment. Attachment breeds lust. And when that lust—the intense desire to enjoy—is checked or frustrated, it turns into anger. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that anger is not a separate entity; it is "another feature of lust." If you are not lusty, you will not be angry when things don't go your way.
- Anger means lust. When you are lusty and your lust is not fulfilled, you become angry. That's all. It is another feature of the lust.
- The difference between the anger of an ordinary person and that of a liberated person is that an ordinary person becomes angry because his sense desires are not being fulfilled.
Feeding Milk to a Snake
A peculiar characteristic of anger is how it manifests in the ignorant. One might expect that offering good advice would be met with gratitude. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the Sanskrit maxim: upadeśo hi mūrkhāṇām prakopāya na śāntaye. If you give good instructions to a fool, they do not become pacified; they become angry. He compares this to feeding milk to a snake. Milk is nutritious, but when given to a serpent, it only increases its venom. Similarly, preaching to the obstinate often results in rage rather than reform.
- It is said in Hitopadesa, upadeso hi murkhanam prakopaya na santaye. If good instructions are given to a foolish person, he does not take advantage of them, but becomes more and more angry.
- Instead of becoming merciful or sober, the serpent increases its poisonous venom when fed nice foodstuffs. Similarly, when a fool is instructed, he does not rectify himself, but actually becomes angry.
Pollution of the Body
Beyond the psychological turmoil, anger has a physical and spiritual cost. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that once a person submits to the urge of anger, their "whole body becomes polluted." It destroys one's gravity, patience, and intelligence. Therefore, the quality of akrodha (checking anger) is essential for anyone attempting to make spiritual progress.
Conclusion
To stop becoming angry, one must treat the root cause, not just the symptom. We cannot stop anger if we are still burning with the fire of material desire. As Śrīla Prabhupāda summarizes the solution: "We have to reverse this process and turn lust into love." When our desire is transformed into the desire to satisfy Kṛṣṇa, the frustration of personal defeat vanishes, and with it, the burning rage of material existence.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Becoming Angry. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.