Yudhishthira Discourses on Anger and Forgiveness

Draupadi had spoken. She had urged Yudhishthira to act — to let his anger rise against Suyodhana, who had humiliated them, exiled them, stripped her in open court. But Yudhishthira did not rise. He sat, and he answered her with something she had not expected: a discourse on the nature of anger itself. "Anger destroys men," he said, "and anger again leads to prosperity. Both well-being and ill-being find their source in anger. He who always restrains his anger obtains prosperity. But he who never controls his anger never obtains prosperity." He told her what anger does. The angry man commits sin. The angry man may murder his own superiors. He abuses them with harsh words. When angered, a person cannot distinguish between what should be said and what should not be said — there is nothing such a person cannot do or say. From anger, one can kill someone who should not be killed, or honour someone who should be killed. An angry person can even send himself to Yama's abode. "On realizing these faults," he said, "the learned have said that anger must be conquered, if one wishes for supreme welfare in this world and the hereafter. That is the reason my anger does not increase." He spoke of the man who does not retaliate. "One who does not retaliate in anger against someone who is angered saves himself and the other person from great fear. He is like a physician for both." A weak man oppressed by stronger men who gives in to anger brings about his own destruction. But the wise one, though powerful, is not angered when oppressed. Having destroyed his oppressor through patience, he finds delight in the next world. "For the sake of killing someone like Suyodhana," he asked, "how can someone like me show the anger, with its many faults, that is shunned by the virtuous?" He told her that an angry one cannot see the course of action accurately. He does not see his tasks or his limits. He kills those who should not be killed. He exhibits harshness towards his superiors. "Therefore, it is the duty of anyone with power to keep anger at a distance." Then he painted a picture of a world without forgiveness. "If injured ones return the injury and those oppressed by seniors return the oppression, the outcome will be a destruction of all beings and the establishment of that which is not dharma." If every man who is abused immediately abuses back, if fathers oppress sons and sons oppress fathers, if husbands oppress wives and wives oppress husbands — there can be no birth in a world thus angered. "Know that the birth of all beings is conditional on conciliation." He invoked the sage Kashyapa, who had sung a hymn in honour of the forgiving: "Forgiveness is dharma. Forgiveness is sacrifices. Forgiveness is the Vedas. Forgiveness is the sacred texts. He who knows this is capable of forgiving everything. Forgiveness is the brahman. Forgiveness is the truth. Forgiveness is the past and the future. Forgiveness is austerities. Forgiveness is purity. Forgiveness holds up the entire world." He told Draupadi that their grandfather Bhishma always praised peace. The preceptor Drona and Kshatta Vidura also spoke about peace. Kripa and Sanjaya spoke about peace. Somadatta, Yuyutsu, Ashvatthaman, and their grandfather Vyasa always spoke about peace. "Always urged by all of them towards peace, I think the king will return the kingdom. If he does not, he will face destruction. A terrible time has come about. It will lead to the destruction of the Bharatas." He ended where he began. "Forgiveness and gentleness are eternal dharma and the conduct of those who have control over their own selves. Therefore, that is the way I will act."