This Is the KARMA You Create - If You Hate Someone

 

In this satsang, Swami Mukundananda explains the harmful effects of hatred and how harbouring bitterness can adversely affect our karma, mental well-being and spiritual growth. He emphasises that hatred does not merely harm the person towards whom it is directed; it also inflicts considerable damage upon the person who harbours it.

Hatred as a Self-Inflicted Wound: Swami Mukundananda explains that harbouring hatred is akin to drinking poison in the hope that another person will suffer its effects. The bitterness we hold within ourselves primarily harms us rather than the person towards whom our hatred is directed (0:49–1:01).

The Vicious Trap of Hatred: Hatred reinforces the ego and causes the mind to take pleasure in bitterness in a tamasic (ignorant and destructive) manner. As the mind increasingly indulges in such thoughts, it becomes trapped in a vicious cycle of negativity. Consequently, the mind remains impure, disturbed and clouded by bitterness (1:05–1:40).

The Karmic Consequences of Hatred: Drawing reference to the work of Dr Brian Weiss on past-life regression, Swami Mukundananda suggests that harbouring hatred towards a particular group of people may have karmic consequences in a future life. Such hatred may result in one's being born into the very group towards which one previously harboured prejudice. This would provide an opportunity to overcome those prejudices and rise above the biases that one had previously held (3:48–4:40).

The Story of the Snake and the Saw: To illustrate the self-destructive nature of hatred and uncontrolled anger, Swami Mukundananda recounts the story of a snake that, in a fit of rage, bites a saw. Mistaking the saw for an adversary, the snake repeatedly attacks it, only to injure itself in the process. The story illustrates how reactive anger and hatred can ultimately bring about one's own destruction rather than cause harm to the intended target (4:53–5:58).

Overcoming Hatred and Maintaining a Tranquil Mind: To maintain a pure and tranquil mind, one should learn to deal with difficulties and challenges proactively. If a problem can be resolved, one should take the necessary steps to resolve it. If it cannot be resolved, one should learn to tolerate the situation rather than allow resentment and bitterness to take root in the mind (6:03–7:33).

The Spiritual Perspective: Attachment and Hatred: From the perspective of Vedic scriptures, attachment and hatred are treated similarly because both have an adverse effect on the mind. Whether we are attached to something or harbour hatred towards it, our minds repeatedly dwell upon that external object. Such preoccupation prevents us from turning our attention towards the Divine and consequently impedes our spiritual advancement (6:42–8:07).

Ultimately, the lesson is that hatred is detrimental not only to our mental well-being but also to our spiritual progress. Rather than allowing ourselves to become consumed by resentment, we should endeavour to resolve what can be resolved and calmly tolerate what cannot. In doing so, we protect the purity of our minds and avoid creating further obstacles to our spiritual growth.