क्रोधः प्राणहरः शत्रुः क्रोधो मित्रमुखो रिपुः। क्रोधो ह्यसिर्महातीक्ष्णः सर्वं क्रोधोऽपकर्षति॥
krodhaḥ prāṇaharaḥ śatruḥ krodho mitramukho ripuḥ । krodho hy asir mahātīkṣṇaḥ sarvaṃ krodho ’pakarṣati ॥
Meaning of Krodhaḥ Prāṇaharaḥ Śatruḥ Krodho
Anger is like a deadly enemy. Anger is like a foe in the garb of a friend. Anger is like a sword which leads to the downfall of its bearer.
Word by word
- क्रोधःkrodhaḥ
anger
√क्रुध्
- प्राणहरःprāṇaharaḥ
life-taking
प्राण + √हृ
- शत्रुःśatruḥ
an enemy
शत्रु
- मित्रमुखःmitramukhaḥ
wearing a friend's face
मित्र + मुख
- रिपुःripuḥ
a foe
रिपु
- हिhi
indeed
- असिःasiḥ
a sword
असि
- महातीक्ष्णःmahātīkṣṇaḥ
very sharp
महा + √तिज्
- सर्वम्sarvam
everything
सर्व
- अपकर्षतिapakarṣati
drags down
अप + √कृष्
Commentary
In the Ramayana, this verse serves as a stern warning against the destructive power of anger. It describes anger as a 'deadly enemy' that often hides behind the mask of a friend, leading one to believe that their rage is justified or helpful. By comparing anger to a sharp sword, the verse illustrates how this emotion ultimately harms the person who wields it more than anyone else, leading to their spiritual and social downfall. The verse names anger four times and the names escalate rather than repeat: first an enemy, then an enemy wearing a friend's face, then a sword whetted very sharp. Each is more intimate than the last, until the danger is no longer outside at all. The closing verb apakarṣati means to drag down, so the ruin described is a slow pulling away rather than a single blow.
Original Post
More from Valmiki Ramayana
View source pageदैवं पुरुषकारेण यः समर्थः प्रबाधितुम्। न दैवेन विपन्नार्थः पुरुषः सोऽवसीदति॥
daivaṁ puruṣakāreṇa yaḥ samarthaḥ prabādhitum । na daivena vipannārthaḥ puruṣaḥ so’vasīdati ॥
A Valmiki Ramayana verse teaches that a person capable of confronting destiny through human effort does not lose heart when faced with adversity.
लोकपालाश्च ते सर्वे वासवप्रमुखास्तथा। ऋतवः षट् च ते सर्वे मासाः संवत्सराः क्षपाः॥ दिनानि च मुहूर्ताश्च स्वस्ति कुर्वन्तु ते सदा। श्रुतिः स्मृतिश्च धर्मश्च पातु त्वां पुत्र सर्वतः॥
lokapālāśca te sarve vāsavapramukhāstathā । ṛtavaḥ ṣaṭ ca te sarve māsāḥ saṁvatsarāḥ kṣapāḥ ॥ dināni ca muhūrtāśca svasti kurvantu te sadā । śrutiḥ smṛtiśca dharmaśca pātu tvāṁ putra sarvataḥ ॥
In this blessing from the Ayodhya Kanda, the guardians of the world, the cycles of time, sacred tradition, and dharma are invoked for abiding well-being and protection.
अनिर्वेदः श्रियो मूलमनिर्वेदः परं सुखम्। अनिर्वेदो हि सततं सर्वार्थेषु प्रवर्तकः॥
anirvedaḥ śriyo mūlam anirvedaḥ paraṁ sukham । anirvedo hi satataṁ sarvārtheṣu pravartakaḥ ॥
A Sundara Kanda verse from the Valmiki Ramayana teaching that non-despondency, steady effort, and faith are the roots of progress and happiness.
More subhashitams on Ethics
View topic pageज्ञानवांश्च तथा वाग्मी कर्मस्वपि च निष्ठितः। एवं युक्तोऽपि न श्रेयान् यदि शीलविवर्जितः॥
jñānavāṃśca tathā vāgmī karmasvapi ca niṣṭhitaḥ । evaṃ yukto'pi na śreyān yadi śīlavivarjitaḥ ॥
Knowledge, eloquence, and skill in work do not make a person worthy of esteem if good character is absent.
शुचित्वं त्यागिता शौर्यं सामान्यं सुखदुःखयोः। दाक्षिण्यं चानुरक्तिश्च सत्यता च सुहृद्गुणाः॥
śucitvaṃ tyāgitā śauryaṃ sāmānyaṃ sukhaduḥkhayoḥ । dākṣiṇyaṃ cānuraktiśca satyatā ca suhṛdguṇāḥ ॥
Purity, generosity, courage, steadiness in joy and sorrow, courtesy, affection, and truthfulness are the qualities of a true friend.
अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च। निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी॥
adveṣṭā sarvabhūtānāṃ maitraḥ karuṇa eva ca । nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ samaduḥkhasukhaḥ kṣamī ॥
The Bhagavad Gita describes a character free from hatred and ego, friendly to all beings and steady in joy and sorrow.