Be Emperor – In Gita Verse 2.63 From anger, complete delusion arises, and from delusion bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost one falls down again into the material pool.
Bhagavad Gita Verse 2.63 highlights the detrimental effects of anger on the human psyche. Krishna elucidates the scientific process of how anger leads to a cascade of negative consequences. From childhood, we are taught by parents, teachers, and elders that anger is harmful because it results in a loss of self-awareness and disconnects us from the objective world, leading us into a self-created hell.
The human mind operates under its own set of laws, both for ascent and descent. Krishna meticulously describes the steps of mental degradation, illustrating how anger initiates a downward spiral. Anger arises from the gap between our desires and their fulfilment. When desires are obstructed, anger manifests, much like a river becoming turbulent when obstructed by a stone.
Krishna’s concept of a Sthitapragya, a person of steady wisdom, underscores the absence of anger due to the lack of personal desires. Anger follows unfulfilled desires, and when desires are hindered, anger ensues. This anger is a reaction to obstacles and not a proactive emotion. It dissipates when the obstacle is removed.
Anger begets attachment. When we are unable to fulfil our desires, our attachment to the unfulfilled desire intensifies. This attachment then corrupts our memory because it distorts our perception, making us see only what we want to see, rather than what is. Attachment is thus a creative force that projects our desires onto reality, unlike memory, which is factual and objective.
Attachment blinds us, while love, which is often mistaken for attachment, is selfless and giving. True love, as exemplified by enlightened beings like Buddha and Krishna, is devoid of personal desires. Love is about giving without demands, whereas lust and attachment are about seeking fulfilment. Attachment, being the culmination of lust, destroys memory by distorting reality.
The destruction of memory leads to the destruction of intelligence. Memory is the repository of past knowledge, and intelligence is the faculty of understanding and applying that knowledge. When memory is corrupted, intelligence is compromised, leading to a state of complete spiritual poverty.
A Zen story illustrates this concept vividly. When the Emperor of Japan asked a Zen Master about hell and heaven, the Master responded with an insult, provoking the Emperor’s anger. As the Emperor drew his sword, the Master pointed out that he was entering hell. When the Emperor realised this and calmed down, the Master showed him that he had entered heaven. This story underscores how quickly our emotions can lead us away from self-awareness and into a state of misery.
Like the Emperor, we often lose sight of our objectives when anger takes over. Anger and ego disconnect us from our true selves, making us react unconsciously. Scientists, on the other hand, approach the world with objectivity and detachment, treating each situation as a new opportunity. This scientific mindset allows them to remain focused on possibilities rather than problems.
By adopting a similar approach, we can transform our life circumstances into opportunities for growth. Remaining self-alert and conscious enables us to create our own heaven in the present moment. The difference between success and failure lies in our ability to maintain realistic checks on our thinking and stay focused on possibilities.
Krishna advises Arjuna to rise above his emotions and thoughts to achieve self-awareness. Knowing oneself is the key to becoming an Emperor in one’s own right. Just as the Zen Master showed the Emperor the path to heaven and hell in a single moment, we too can create our own heaven by staying connected to our true selves and maintaining self-alertness.
Krishna’s teachings emphasise the importance of overcoming anger and attachment to preserve memory and intelligence. By staying self-aware and approaching life with a scientific mindset, we can avoid the pitfalls of anger and create a life of consciousness and fulfilment.
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