Valluvar
on Anger
Dr.
R. Prabhakaran
Introduction
Anger
is a common emotion. According to psychologists (Hendricks et al., 2014),
“Anger is a strong emotion often caused by some form of wrong-doing,
ill-treatment, or unfairness. We experience anger when we think we have been
mistreated or when faced with problems that keep us from getting what we want
or attaining our personal goals. Everyone experiences anger, some more often
than others.” Researchers have observed that an average adult experiences anger
about once a day and becomes annoyed or peeved about three times a day (Mills,
2005). Although anger is a common emotion experienced almost daily by almost
everyone, depending upon the intensity and the frequency of experiencing anger,
it affects our mental and physical health and our ability to have positive
social interactions with others. It also affects our personal, family, and
professional lives.
Valluvar has several interesting and profound observations regarding anger and its impact on human beings. There are occasions when one can afford to express one’s anger. Although child psychologists may disagree, it is not unusual for parents to express their anger at their children when they misbehave. Invariably, the children tolerate the parents' anger or occasionally react with their own anger. In any case, the parents can and do express their anger at their children. On the other hand, it is unusual for an employee to express his anger towards his superiors. If he does so, he will be subjected to punishment. So, there are occasions when one can afford to express one’s anger without serious consequences, and there are occasions when one cannot afford to do so.
Valluvar says if one is trying to control one’s anger, one
should do so in circumstances when one can afford to be angry. For example, if
a parent is trying to control his/her anger, he/she should restrain from
getting angry at his/her child. In general, it is better to control one’s anger
in all situations. The Greek philosopher Plato is said to have mentioned that
there are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can help, and
what they cannot. In other words, anger should be completely avoided under all
circumstances. Valluvar expresses the same ideas in the following kurals.
He who controls his anger where
he can afford to be angry is the one who really controls his anger. What
difference does it make if one does not control one’s anger where one cannot
afford to be angry?
Kural – 301)
Anger is destructive in
situations where one cannot afford to be angry. There is nothing worse than
that, even where one can afford to be angry. (kural – 302)
Only evil consequences arise out
of anger. Therefore, forget about getting angry at anyone. (kural – 303)
The
Ill effects of anger
The American poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson is quoted
as saying, “For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of
peace of mind.” Undoubtedly, the loss of peace of mind leads to restlessness
and unhappiness. Anger and happiness are diametrically opposite of each other.
One does not coexist with the other. Valluvar is convinced that anger destroys
laughter and joy, and thereby the angry person hurts himself like the one who
slaps the ground with his hand and inflicts pain on oneself (kural - 307). Also,
Valluvar believes that nothing else destroys the laughter of an individual like
his own anger. The angry person hurts himself by destroying his own happiness
and hurts others at whom his anger is aimed. Because of his anger, his
relationship with his kith and kin who support him will also be affected. In
turn, they might also become angry and suffer the consequences of their
anger.
He who considers anger an
important quality to have is sure to hurt himself like the one who slaps the
ground with his hand. (kural – 307)
Is there anything else that destroys laughter and joy, like
anger? (kural - 304)
Anger destroys the one who gets
angry and one’s kith and kin who support him like a lifeboat. (kural – 306)
In addition to destroying one’s peace of mind, laughter, and
happiness, anger also causes several catastrophic consequences for those who
are in the habit of frequently becoming angry. Medical practitioners and
psychologists believe that anger increases stress levels and blood pressure.
Researchers have observed that there is a three times higher risk of having a
stroke from a blood clot in the brain or bleeding within the brain two hours
after an angry outburst. For people with an aneurysm in one of the arteries of
the brain, there is a six times higher risk of rupturing this aneurysm
following an angry outburst. Due to anger, there could be additional
consequences such as sleep disorders, anxiety disorder, depression, respiratory
problems, weakened immune system, and even heart attack. All these consequences
arising from various levels of anger tend to reduce the life span of angry
individuals. Valluvar would have had no way of knowing all these complications
arising from anger. But he was sure that those who exhibit angry behavior are
likely to die because of their anger.
If you want to protect yourself,
guard against your anger. If you do not control your anger, your anger will
kill you. (kural
– 305)
Because
of the multitude of evil consequences arising from anger, Valluvar advises that
it is better to tolerate even if someone inflicts severe harm than to get
angry. He admires those who do not retaliate with anger when harm is done to
them. He says they are like the ascetics.
Even if someone tortures you like a scorching fire, it is better
to control your anger.
(Kural – 308)
Those who lose their temper are
like the dead, and those who renounce anger are like the ascetics. (kural – 310)
Other
disadvantages of being angry
Those who are angry are not capable of clear thinking, and they
are likely to make hasty decisions. Likewise, lust can also cloud a person’s
ability to think clearly. Anger and lust can also inhibit a person’s ability to
exercise self-restraint. Therefore, people with raging anger, excessive lust,
and lacking self-restraint can be easily defeated by others. Since anger and
lust adversely impact a person’s ability to think clearly, Valluvar says that
if you were to pick an enemy to fight, choose the one who is prone to too much
anger and lust and lacks self-restraint. Valluvar does not encourage fighting
with anyone. He wants to state that anger and lust make a person vulnerable due
to his lack of clarity in thinking and inability to exercise self-restraint.
One who is not free from anger
and does not exercise self-restraint can easily be defeated by anyone at any
time and at any place. (kural
– 864)
If you were to pick an enemy,
pick one who is blindsided by his rage and obsessed with excessive lust. (kural – 866)
Anger
and other related vices
Valluvar mentions that those who follow the path of virtue
should avoid anger, envy, desire, and harsh words. Envy creates a desire for
something that another person has. Being unable to obtain what one desires
instigates anger, which leads to the use of harsh words.
Those who follow the path of
virtue should avoid the four evils: envy, desire, anger, and harsh words. (kural – 35)
Advantages
of avoiding anger
Having
described all the negative consequences that may arise from anger, Valluvar
wants to mention some advantages resulting from avoiding anger:
·
By staying free of anger, one can avoid all the negative
consequences that accompany anger.
·
Friends and relatives will surround those who are not prone to
anger.
·
Even for those who have achieved greatness, being free from
anger adds dignity to their excellence.
No one in this vast
world will have more friends and relatives than the man who gives generous
gifts and is free from anger. (kural - 526)
Freedom from arrogance, anger, and meanness spells dignity in
greatness. (kural – 431)
A
word of encouragement from Valluvar
Finally,
by way of encouragement to those who want to be free from anger, Valluvar says
that those who do not have anger in their heart will achieve all that they
desire (kural – 309). This may be a bit of an exaggerated claim. Irrespective
of anger or lack of anger, one may not get everything that one desires. It is
typical of Valluvar to exaggerate the importance of a particular virtue to
encourage his readers to practice that virtue.
If a man does not harbor anger in his heart, he will obtain
whatever he has in his mind.
(kural – 309)
Conclusion
According to Valluvar, under no circumstances should one get angry. Anger causes major physical and mental health problems. Those who get angry are incapable of clear thinking, and their enemies can easily defeat them. However, in addition to being free from physical and mental health problems, those who are free from anger will have many friends and relatives surrounding them and supporting them. In the case of those who are free from anger, their behavior will add dignity to their other accomplishments. Valluvar encourages his readers to avoid anger by saying that they will achieve whatever they desire if they can avoid anger. Considering the pros and cons, avoiding anger is best for one’s well-being.
