Anger is an emotion that can cause unexpected and sometimes unprecedented repercussions in its trail. Even realised sages steeped in devotion have succumbed to anger as is seen in the case of Vishwamitra or Durvasa.
Once, the sages Sanaka and others, the mind-born sons of Brahma, were desirous of seeking Lord Narayana in Vaikunta. But the Lord's gatekeepers Jaya and Vijaya denied them entry and in a spell of anger they cursed the servants of the Lord to be born as Asuras. Immediately, the gatekeepers sought the pardon of the sages and wished they should remain devoted to the Lord at all times. The Lord along with His consort Lakshmi and His mount Garuda came to the scene and pacified the sages.
In a lecture, Sri Jamadagni drew attention to the fact that though it is rightful to get angry at times of wrongdoing, anger has to be held under control and it is imperative that one gets back to equanimity soon after the angry spell.
The devout sages sang the Lord's glory on beholding His resplendence. The benign Lord mitigated the intensity of the curse and stated that after spending three births as Asuras and remaining in constant communion with Him as sworn enemies, they would come back to Vaikunta.
The repercussions of anger are analysed by Hanuman after he sets Lanka afire. He gets angry with himself for getting angry with the Rakshasas who had humiliated him. He becomes self-reproachful saying he should have abandoned anger. Deducing that Sita too must have lost her life, he foresees how this news would break the hearts of Lord Rama and Lakshmana.
He thinks aloud: The wise and realised souls know how to control their fury because an angry man can commit sinful acts easily. He might even kill elders or insult virtuous people with harsh words. Anger makes one lose one's calm and sense of rightful perception. “As a serpent casts off its slough, whoever casts aside an intense anger sprung up in him suddenly by virtue of his endurance, he verily is said to be an excellent man,” says Hanuman.
