Anger can threaten peace in a matter of seconds. One harsh word can destroy a relationship. A single impulsive response can ruin the work. A single erroneous reaction can lead to many days of regret. That’s why the Bhagavad Gita recommends controlling anger. The quote today is from the teachings of Krishna: “From anger comes confusion, and from confusion, wisdom is lost.” This line is a clear warning. Anger affects more than your talking. It affects one’s cognitive processes. When the mind is enraged, it cannot see the whole truth. It initially responds and then understands.

In the Bhagavad Gita, it is said that anger is born out of frustrated desire. We want a certain result. We expect people to behave in the way we want them to behave. When this doesn’t happen, frustration follows. Eventually, frustration turns into anger. Then the mind is unbalanced. Someone can say things that are not quite true. They may act rashly. Someone they care about could get hurt. Krishna’s wisdom says that anger is not a source of strength. True strength is when you can stay calm even when your mind is about to explode.

Anger Makes the Mind Blind

People often stop listening when they get angry. Their only purpose is to make their point. This can occur in family matters, in discussions at work, in friendships or romantic relationships. Anger magnifies a little thing. The new situation is made worse by the presence of old pain. It also puts the other person on the defensive. Then a simple argument turns into a fistfight. Gita reminds us that anger first consumes the angry person. It takes away the power of good judgment, of sleep, of peace.

How to Apply This Lesson Today

If someone says something that hurts you, don’t react right away. Take some deep breaths. Drink water. Here are some tips on useful tools: Take a short break if needed. Silence when it is right to do so is a way to protect your dignity. Don’t e-mail when you’re mad at work. After a while, read it again. An angry message can make things worse; a calm message can make things right. If anger is happening at home, one useful first step is to lower your volume. The object should be to solve the problem, not to win the argument.

Krishna does not ask us to suppress any emotion. Anger can be a sign that something is wrong. But it should not have dominion over you. Let your anger be a signal, not a weapon. Ask yourself: What makes me feel uncomfortable? What can I say calmly? What can be done? The Bhagavad Gita says that wisdom means self-control. He who guards his anger guards his relationships, his future choices and his peace.