Important virtue in Indian philosophy and Hindu ethics
 (Sanskrit: ) literally means "free from anger". It's an important virtue in Indian philosophy and Hindu ethics.
Etymology.
 is a fusion word between the Sanskrit prefix (Sanskrit: ; "without", "non") and the term (Sanskrit: ; "anger"), meaning "without anger".
A related word is (Sanskrit: ), which also means "absence of anger".
Discussion.
 is considered a virtue and desirable ethical value in Hinduism. When there is cause of anger but nevertheless there is absence of anger, this is non-anger or . Absence of anger () means being calm even when insulted or rebuked, or despite great provocation. does not mean absence of "causes" of anger, it means not getting angry and keeping an even, calm temper despite the circumstances.
 ("anger") is excessive mental turmoil on account of obstacles interfering with the gratification of some desire; it is manifestation of the quality of (dark, negative, destructive), an undesirable psychological state. The opposite of is : a productive, positive, and constructive state.
 states that is necessary for peace and happiness, which is a state of contentment () where there is absence of spite or envy (), absence of anger (), and absence of violence (). relies on , because it creates an environment of serenity, a rational principle of life, and because it is a moral virtue inspired by love.
Literature.
According to Vedic sages, when work becomes akin to a (a worship ceremony), the effect of that work is transformed into , that is, it becomes something unique, unprecedented, and empowering. In contrast, anger clouds reason, which results in the loss of discrimination between right and wrong and virtue and vice. When the discriminating faculty is ruined, the person loses self-identity and the inner good perishes. With freedom from anger, a person reaches an state.
The Upanishads.
The "Naradaparivrajaka Upanishad" states the nature of for a person who seeks self-knowledge and liberation () as follows:
 ;templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" / ;All cruel words should be endured. None should be treated with disrespect. No anger should be directed in turn towards one who is angry. Only soft words should be spoken, even when violently pulled by another.
, states , is related to the concept (Sanskrit: ) in the Upanishads. means, depending on the context, "to bear", "endure", "suffer", and "put up with". is considered an ethical value in Hinduism, not out of , but for the cause of the Ultimate Truth. It is the attribute by which a person willingly bears what is unpleasant in order to "win over" the opponent or whatever is offensive, in the pursuit of holding on to Truth, in order to achieve oneness with , the Ultimate Truth. This endurance, this striving to overcome the adversaries through and , is the constructive way to pursue Truth.
The Epics.
The Hindu epic "Mahabharata" repeatedly emphasizes the virtue of . For example, in "Adi Parva", it states:
 ;templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" / ;If wronged, you should not wrong in return. One's anger, if not subdued, burns one's own self; if subdued, it procures the virtues of the doers of good acts. You should never give pain to others by cruel words. Never defeat your enemies by despicable means. Never utter sinful and burning words as may give pain to others.
In "Vana Parva", the "Mahabharata" states:
 ;templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" / ;Anger is in this world, the root of the destruction of mankind. The angry man commits a sin; the angry man murders his preceptor; the angry man insults with harsh words. The angry man cannot distinguish what should be and should not be said by him; there is nothing which cannot be said or done by an angry man. From anger, a man may kill one who should not be killed and adore one that should be slain; an angry man may even despatch his own self to the abode of Yama. Beholding these evils, anger must be conquered.
In "Shanti Parva", the "Mahabharata" states:
 ;templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" / ;That Yogin who is freed from attachment and pride, who transcends all pairs of opposites such as pleasure and pain, who never gives way to wrath or hate, who never speaks an untruth, who though slandered or struck still shows friendship for the slanderer or the striker, who never thinks of doing ill to others, who restrains these three, viz. speech, acts and mind, and who behaves uniformly towards all creatures, succeeds in approaching Brahman (true self).
The "Bhagavad Gita" (Slokas XVI.1–3), in the "Mahabharata", gives a list of twenty-six divine attributes beginning with ("fearlessness") and ("purity of mind"), ending with ("bearing enmity to none") and ("absence of arrogance"), and including :
Dharmasastra.
Manu listed among the ten primary virtues. The "Apastambhadharmasutra" (I.iii.22) rules that a student be not given to anger, and that a house-holder abstains from anger and from action or words that would provoke someone else to anger (II.xviii.2). The "Baudhayanadharmasutra" (I.xv.30) requires a house-holder never to be angry, and the "Gautamdharmasutra" (II.13) advises that he must not feel angry. The "Vashisthadharmasutra" (IV.4) avers that refraining from anger is a virtue like truthfulness or charity.
Manu mentions ten , is one of these (attribute, sign of a dharmic person). The other nine are: (patience), (forgiveness), (temperance), (non-stealing), (purity), (freedom from sensual craving), (reason), (knowledge), and (truth).
Shaivism.
The Shaivite doctrine considers four for the "Pashupata" ascetic who smears on his body . These four are – non-injury, celibacy, truthfulness, and non-stealing; the consist of non-irritability (), attendance on the teachers, purity, lightness of diet, and carefulness (). is a virtue.
Universalism.
Hinduism and Buddhism both suggest ten freedoms needed for good life. These are – "Ahimsa" ('freedom from violence'), "Asteya" ('freedom from want, stealing'), "Aparigraha" ('freedom from exploitation'), "Amritava" ('freedom from early death') and "Arogya" ('freedom from disease'), "Akrodha" ('freedom of anger'), "Jnana" or "Vidya" ("freedom from ignorance"), "Pravrtti" ("freedom of conscience"), "Abhaya" ('freedom from fear') and "Dhrti" ('freedom from frustration and despair').
References.
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