KRODH

KRODH (Ski. krodh(i) or wrath is an emotion recognised in the Sikh system as a spring of co-nation and is as such counted as one of the Five Evils. It expresses itself in several forms from silent sullenness to hysterical tantrums and violence. In Sikli Scripture krodh usually appears in combination with ham as ham krodh. The coalescence is not simply for tlie sake of alliterative effect. Krodh (ire) is the direct progeny of kdm (desire). The latter when thwarted or jilted produces the former.

The Scripture also counts krodh (or its synonym kop) among the four rivers of fire. “Violence, attachment, covetousness and wrath,” says Guru Nanak “arc like four rivers of fire; those who fall in them burn, and can swim across, 0 Nanak, only through God`s grace” (GG, M7).Elsewhere he says, “Kdm and krodh dissolve tlic body as borax melts gold” (GG, 932). Guru Arjan, Nanak V, censures krodhm these words: “0 krodh, thou enslavcsl sinful men and then cap crest around them like an ape. In thy company men become base and arc punished variously by Death`s messengers.

The Merciful God, the Eradicator of the sufferings of the humble, 0 Nanak, alone saveth all” (GG, 1358). Guru Ram Das, Nanak IV, warns: “Do not go near those who are possessed by wrath uncontrollable` (GG, 10). Krodh is to be vanquished and eradicated. This is done through humility and firm faith in the Divine. Guru Arjan`s prescription: “Do not be angry with any one; search your own self and live in the world with humility.Thus, 0 Nanak, you may go across (the ocean of existence) under God`s grace” (GG, 259).

Shaikh Found, a thirteenth century Muslim saint whose compositions arc preserved in the Sikh Scripture, says in one of his couplets: “0 Farid, do good to him who hath done thee evil and do not nurse anger in thy heart; no disease will then afflict thy body and all felicities shall be thine” (GG, 138182). Righteous indignation against evil, injustice and tyranny is, however, not to be equated with krodh as an undesirable passion. Several hymns in the Guru Granlh Sahib, particularly those by Guru Nanak and Kabir, express in strong terms their disapproval of the corruption of their day.

References :

1. Sabadmih Sri Guru Granth Sahib fi. Amrksar, 1964
2. Jodh Singh, Bhai, Gurmat Nirnaya. Ludhiana, 1932
3. Sher Singli, The Philosophy of Sikhism. Laliore, 1944
4. Avtar Singh, Ethics of the Sikhs. Patiala, 1970
5. Nirbhai Singh, Philosophy of Sikhism. Delhi, 1990