Q) What is your advice on anger management?
A) Anger management means don't have any anger. Just like the best way to manage stress is not to have any stress or anxiety. That is Vaikuntha. So, be a Vaikuntha man or woman. The same is true with anger. But, if there is some anger, and if we are not fully attached to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then the advice of Bhismadeva is to put something on the other side of the pan scale. That is forgiveness. Anger is when we are holding something against the other person. So let go of that something we are holding against the other person. Practice forgiveness. It elevates the quality of goodness.

On August 16th 2010, we sent out the weekly 'Instructions of the week' titled 'Tribulations and eradication of unwanted things in our heart' based on HH Romapada Swami's lecture series on 'Teachings of Bhismadeva'. One devotee had contacted us with a follow-up question based on this message. Please find below the inquiry from her and the answer given by HH Romapada Swami.

Original Message: Tribulations and eradication of unwanted things in our heart

Q) On the path of our devotional service, we meet obstacles in the form of our own anarthas. Are we to understand that those anarthas are arranged by Krishna, as in the category of tribulations which Bhismadeva is mentioning and which will bring us closer to Krishna? Or, are they another category in itself?

The disposition of Maharaja Yudhisthira is just to serve...For Maharaja Yudhisthira, inquiring from Bhismadeva was not mechanical or just being polite. He engaged himself according to what he had heard from Bhisma. He applied the teachings that he heard...When there are proper brahmanas, proper ksatriyas and proper parents, there are so much protection and well-being for an individual in the society. There is very little of such opportunities in Kali-yuga. So, the shelter must be taken largely from Srimad Bhagavatam and those who are living the life of Bhagavatam. Those who take shelter of Bhagavatam, and those who live the life of Bhagavatam, along with the sankirtana of the holy name, find that protection. These shelters give real protection.

Q) On the path of our devotional service, we meet obstacles in the form of our own anarthas. Are we to understand that those anarthas are arranged by Krishna, as in the category of tribulations which Bhismadeva is mentioning and which will bring us closer to Krishna? Or, are they another category in itself?

The main point in this section is that the glories of Krishna are realized through the intimacy of service...Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 1.9.19: "Tribulations imposed upon the devotees by the Lord constitute another exchange of transcendental bhava between the Lord and the devotees". Tribulations can be the opportunity for the devotee to realize more their intimate relationship with Krishna and the glories of Krishna, if taken in the right way. The more intimate contact with Krishna, the more glories of Krishna can be understood. Tribulations and difficulties are special favor and mercy from Krishna. But it takes a pretty good amount of Krishna consciousness to see the tribulations that way.

The three things that provided protection for the Pandavas were religion, God, and the brahmanas. As we go along, these three things are the major part of what we need to contemplate when we are considering how we are to conduct our lives. Controlling is Krishna's department and serving is our department. Krishna is in-charge of the outcome of what we do, and we are in-charge of the consciousness that we carry. These are the three areas we need to evaluate in order to make sure we are properly situated in our service in all circumstances of life.

Q) In the beginning, should we concentrate more on our purification, or should we concentrate more on Krishna's pleasure?

A) Why not put both of them together - i.e. concentrate on purification for Krishna's pleasure? Purification represents goodness and Krishna's pleasure represents transcendence. So, when we begin any undertaking, begin with the end in mind. Srila Prabhupada explains that when we define a goal, and when we have clear sense of the goal, it becomes very easy to take steps to traverse to get to that goal. Conversely, if we do not have clear understanding and clear conception of the goal, it is pretty hard to have the motivation to get to the goal. So, having a clear sense of the goal is very important - and that goal is that 'Krishna should be pleased'.

Grandfather Bhismadeva is in his position on the deathbed and it is said that he was feeling pained by the arrows piercing his body. He was a yogi, but it does not mean he did not know that he had pain. There are so many examples wherein Srila Prabhupada also transcended pain.

In the spiritual world there is no envy. Devotees usually ask an honest question about struggling with envy. They share that they feel something when other devotees make more advancement than them, or when other devotees receive some honor, recognition, or appreciation more than they do. It's envy. That position of envy is absent in the heart of a devotee.

Q) We hear that in all circumstances of life, one should remember Krishna or chant Hare Krishna. There is some time in my life that is focused on academic studies. But, when there is some extra time, I am confused if I should act on my thoughts to work on my academics or act on my thoughts to do some Krishna conscious activities?