man that is angry seeth not his way, nor respecteth
persons. The angry man killeth even those that
deserve not to be killed. The man of wrath slayeth
even his preceptors. Therefore, the man possessing
force of character should ever banish wrath to a distance.
The man that is overwhelmed with wrath acquireth not
with ease generosity, dignity, courage, skill, and
other attributes belonging to real force of character.
A man by forsaking anger can exhibit proper energy,
whereas, O wise one, it is highly difficult for the
angry man to exhibit his energy at the proper time!
The ignorant always regard anger as equivalent to
energy. Wrath, however hath been given to man
for the destruction of the world. The man, therefore,
who wisheth to behave properly, must ever forsake
anger. Even one who hath abandoned the excellent
virtues of his own order, it is certain, indulgeth
in wrath (if behaveth properly). If fools, of
mind without light, transgress in every respect, how,
O faultless one, can one like me transgress (like
them)? If amongst men there were not persons equal
unto the earth in forgiveness, there would be no peace
among men but continued strife caused by wrath.
If the injured return their injuries, if one chastised
by his superior were to chastise his superior in return,
the consequence would be the destruction of every
creature, and sin also would prevail in the world.
If the man who hath ill speeches from another, returneth
those speeches afterwards; if the injured man returneth
his injuries: if the chastised person chastiseth
in return; if fathers slay sons, and sons fathers
and if husbands slay wives, and wives husbands; then,
O Krishna, how can birth take place in a world where
anger prevaileth so! For, O thou of handsome face,
know that the birth of creatures is due to peace!
If the kings also, O Draupadi, giveth way to wrath,
his subjects soon meet with destruction. Wrath,
therefore, hath for its consequence the destruction
and the distress of the people. And because it
is seen that there are in the world men who are forgiving
like the Earth, it is therefore that creatures derive
their life and prosperity. O beautiful one, one
should forgive under every injury. It hath been
said that the continuation of species is due to man
being forgiving. He, indeed, is a wise and excellent
person who hath conquered his wrath and who showeth
forgiveness even when insulted, oppressed, and angered
by a strong person. The man of power who controleth
his wrath, hath (for his enjoyment) numerous everlasting
regions; while he that is angry, is called foolish,
and meeteth with destruction both in this and the
other world. O Krishna, the illustrious and forgiving
Kashyapa hath, in this respect, sung the following
verses in honour of men that are ever forgiving, ’Forgiveness
is virtue; forgiveness is sacrifice, forgiveness is
the Vedas, forgiveness is the Shruti. He that
knoweth this is capable of forgiving everything.
Forgiveness is Brahma; forgiveness is truth; forgiveness