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{{Short description|Wrath or rage in Sikh tradition}}
{{for-multi|the 2000 Indian film|Krodh (film)|other uses|Krodha (disambiguation)}}
{{SikhBeliefs}}
{{Five Evils}}

'''Krodh''' ([[Gurmukhi]]: ਕਰੋਧ ''Karōdha'') is derived from the [[Sanskrit]] word [[Krodha (Mental factor)|krodha]] (क्रोध), which means [[wrath]] or [[Rage (emotion)|rage]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Harbans |title=The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism |publisher=Punjabi University |location=Patiala |year=2011 |isbn=978-81-7380-204-1 |edition=3rd |pages=531–532}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Mann |first=Gurinder Singh |title=The Making of Sikh Scripture |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2001 |isbn=9780198029878 |pages=140 |quote=In addition, Guru Nanak urges human beings to avoid lust (kam), anger (krodh), greed (lobh), attachment (moh) ... These are called the "five thieves" (panj chor), and the need to control them is a repeated theme in Guru Nanak's hymns; ...}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Cole |first=W. Owen |title=A Popular Dictionary of Sikhism: Sikh Religion and Philosophy |last2=Sambhi |first2=Piara Singh |publisher=Routledge |year=2005 |isbn=9781135797607 |pages=84–85 |quote=Guru Amar Das stated, 'Within this body are hidden five thieves: they are lust, wrath, greed, attachment and egoism. They steal away the nectar within us ... In Punjabi the names of the five vices are, kam, krodh, lobh, moh, and hankar.}}</ref> This is a state of mind recognized in Sikh philosophy as a spring of desire and is as such classified as one of the [[Five thieves|five evils]].<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

== Terms ==
Within the Sikh canon, the terms 'krodh' and 'kop' (a synonym) are both used to give name to this emotion.<ref name=":3" />

== Description ==
It expresses itself in several forms from quiet seething to outbursts and even physical violence.<ref name=":3" /> In the [[Sikh Scripture|Sikh scriptures]], krodh usually appears linked to and in association with [[kam]] (another of the five thieves) — as "kam krodh".<ref name=":3" /> The merging of these two words is not merely for the sake of rhythmic effect.<ref name=":3" /> Krodh (ire) is the direct derivative of kam (desire).<ref name=":3" /> The latter when foiled or rejected manufactures the former.<ref name=":3" />  The scripture also includes krodh as being among the four rivers of fire.<ref name=":3" />

Righteous anger or annoyance against wickedness, despotism, and imperiousness is not seen as the same as krodh as an undesirable passion.<ref name=":3" /> Several verses contained  within the Guru Granth Sahib, especially ones authored by Guru Nanak and [[Kabir|Bhagat Kabir]], convey in forceful words their disapprobation of the moral, religious, and societal corruption of their period.<ref name=":3" />

=== Solution ===
A Sikh must aim to eliminate the negative influences of krodh from his life.<ref name=":3" /> Krodh is tamed by humility (''[[nimrata]]'') and by placing one's trust to the fullest extent in God.<ref name=":3" />

== Scriptural excerpts ==
{{Primary sources|section|date=July 2023}}
''"Violence, attachment, covetousness and wrath,"'' says Guru Nanak ''"are like four rivers of fire; those who fall in them burn, and can swim across, O Nanak, only through God's grace"'' (GG, 147).<ref name=":3" />  In other places Guru Nanak states, ''"Kam and krodh dissolve the body as borax melts gold"'' (GG, 932).<ref name=":3" />

Guru Arjan, the fifth Sikh guru, describes the evil of krodh in this hymn: ''"O krodh, thou enslavest sinful men and then caperest around them like an ape. In thy company men become base and are punished variously by Death's messengers.'' ''The Merciful [[God in Sikhism|God]], the Eradicator of the sufferings of the humble, O [[Guru Nanak|Nanak]], alone saveth all"'' (GG, 1358).<ref name=":3" />

Guru Ram Das, fourth Sikh guru, informs about the dangers of krodh: ''"Do not go near those who are possessed by wrath uncontrollable"'' (GG, 40).<ref name=":3" />

Guru Arjan's instruction on dealing with krodh: ''"Do not be angry with any one; search your own self and live in the world with humility.<ref name=":3" />'' ''Thus, O Nanak, you may go across (the ocean of existence) under God's grace"'' (GG, 259).<ref name=":3" />

[[Baba Farid|Shaikh Farid]], a Muslim saint in-which a substantial portion of hymns authored by him are preserved in the primary Sikh scripture, says in one of his couplets: ''"O 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, 1381–82).<ref name=":3" />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
# Sabadarth Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Amritsar, 1964
# Jodh Singh, Bhai, Gurmat Nirnaya. Ludhiana, 1932
# Sher Singh, The Philosophy of Sikhism. Lahore, 1944		
# Avtar Singh, Ethics of the Sikhs. Patiala, 1970
# Nirbhai Singh, Philosophy of Sikhism. Delhi, 1990

Above adapted from article By L. M. Joshi

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090223193214/http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/r_link/articles.htm Concepts In Sikhism - Edited by Dr. Surinder Singh Sodhi]
* [http://www.thelivingtreasure.com/audio/stream/Krodh-Track3-Disources.asx Lecture on Krodh #1 by Veer Bhupinder Singh]
* [http://www.thelivingtreasure.com/audio/stream/Krodh-Track4-Disources.asx Lecture on Krodh #2 by Veer Bhupinder Singh]

{{Sikhism}}

[[Category:Sikh beliefs]]