Ramana Maharshi's advice on How To Control Anger

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A newly arrived Andhra youth told Bhagavan about the vagaries of his senses

to which Bhagavan said, “All that is due to the mind. Set it right.” “That

is all right, Swami,but however much I try to reduce this anger, it comes on

again and again. What shall I do?” said the poor boy.

 

“Oh! Is that so, then get angry with that anger; it will be all right” said

Bhagavan. All people in the hall burst out laughing. A person who gets angry

with everything in the world, if only he introspects, and enquires why he

does not get angry with his anger itself, will he not really overcome all

anger?

 

Two or three years back a devotee who could freely approach Bhagavan came

and told him five or six times that somebody had been abusing him. Bhagavan

listened but said nothing. As there was no response from Bhagavan in spite

of repeated and varied complaints and in a number of ways,this devotee could

not contain himself any longer and so said, “When I am abused so much

unnecessarily, I also get angry. However much I try to restrain my anger I

am not able to do so. What shall I do?”

 

Bhagavan laughingly said, “What should you do? You too join him and abuse

yourself; then it will be all right.” All laughed.

 

That devotee, unable to understand anything, said “That is very good! Should

I abuse myself?”

 

“Yes indeed! What they are abusing is your body, isn’t it? What greater

enemy is there than this body which is the abode of anger and similar

feelings? It is necessary that we ourselves should hate it. Instead of that,

when we are unguarded, if anybody abuses us, we should know that they are

waking us up.

 

We should realise at least then, and join them in abusing the body, and

crying it down. What is the use of counter-abuse? Those who abuse us that

way should be looked upon as our friends. It is good for us to be among such

people. If you are among people who praise you, you get deceived,” said

Bhagavan.

 

In June 1924, thieves entered the Ashram and not only belaboured the

devotees, but also beat Bhagavan on his thigh.Subsequently, while relating

amongst themselves the

thrashing they had received, the devotees said, “Bad fellows,they beat even

Bhagavan.”

 

Bhagavan is reported to have said, “Oh, you all worship me with flowers and

they worshipped me with a stick. That is also a form of worship. If I accept

yours, should I not accept theirs as well?” What he teaches is by practical

illustration. Is not this such an instance?

 

Source: Letters from Sri Ramanasramam VOLUMES I, II & Letters from and

Recollections of Sri Ramanasramam By SURI NAGAMMA Translated by D. S. SASTRI

 

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Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Prasanth Jalasutram

 

Love And Love Alone