Anger (Hinduism, Jainism)

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krisna says that desire gives rise to attachment, attachment to anger, both being the product of energy of mind (rajas). It is the door of hell leading to destruction of the self. Several writers refer to it as an aversion that may be for hostile objects which are perceived or remembered as painful to the self (Sankara). It is characterized by aversion or inflaming and arises when a desire is obstructed. Anger has been defined as a mental mode arising from subjection or oppression by someone else (Anandagiri). It may give rise to a desire to inflict injury on one's self or the other. It is distinguished from fear, as fear arises when the cause of the obstruction of desire or the cause of pain cannot be countered, while in the case of anger it can. Sexologists look on it as a mental mode rising from the thwarting of the sex impulse. It arises when there is violent obstruction to the sex impulse, to any kind of desire, whether for sexual gratification, for wealth, for performing religious rites, for liberation. Anger is the cause of violence and destroys moral judgement. It can conquered by discrimination which prevents the evocation of anger by destroying its roots.

One of the four passions – kasaya – of Jainism, hindering the soul on its journey to liberation.