Hate is lack of love. If someone is hateful towards you, all you need to do is to be opaque and not absorb that. When you do not reflect that hate through another hateful or defensive reaction, the hate remains with the other person. If you continue to share love with that person, the hate does not even register in your memory. It just fades away. The purpose is just to make sure that the hate does not touch you and create a reaction. It is not necessary to be concerned about whether your patience or loving behaviour brings about a transformation in the other person. Holding on to such expectations can lead to disappointment, which may ultimately manifest as hate within yourself.
Origin of Hate: Teachings from the Gita
The Bhagavad Gita provides a profound explanation of the origin of hate. Verse 62 of Chapter 2 states:
ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंसः सङ्गस्तेषूपजायते ।
सङ्गात्सञ्जायते कामः कामात्क्रोधोऽभिजायते ॥ २-६२॥
dhyāyato viṣayānpuṃsaḥ saṅgasteṣūpajāyate
saṅgātsañjāyate kāmaḥ kāmātkrodho’bhijāyate 2–62
“When a man thinks of objects, attachment for them arises; from attachment desire is born; from desire arises anger”. 2–62
This verse explains that anger and hate emerge from unfulfilled desires. When there is an expectation for another person to behave or act in a particular way, and that expectation is not met, it leads to anger, which can then develop into hate.
Consequences of Anger and Hate
The Gita further elaborates on the repercussions of anger and hate in Verse 63 of Chapter 2:
क्रोधाद्भवति सम्मोहः सम्मोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रमः ।
स्मृतिभ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति ॥ २-६३॥
krodhādbhavati sammohaḥ sammohātsmṛtivibhramaḥ
smṛtibhraṃśād buddhināśo buddhināśātpraṇaśyati 2–63
“From anger comes delusion ; from delusion loss of memory ; from loss of memory the destruction of discrimination ; from destruction of discrimination he perishes”. 2–63
These teachings highlight the destructive path that begins with anger and hate, leading ultimately to delusion, loss of memory, and the inability to discriminate, which signifies a downfall of the individual.
Understanding the origin and consequences of hate can help one cultivate patience and love, avoiding reactive behaviour and the pitfalls described in the Gita. The focus should remain on inner peace, rather than on changing others or expecting transformation in them.
