The Buddha shares the consequences for a person acting with an upset mind based on his direct knowledge.

ITI 20  Paduṭṭhacitta sutta - Upset Mind

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, as I have heard:

“Idhāhaṁ, bhikkhave, ekaccaṁ puggalaṁ paduṭṭhacittaṁ evaṁ cetasā ceto paricca pajānāmi: ‘imamhi cāyaṁ samaye puggalo kālaṁ kareyya yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ niraye’. Taṁ kissa hetu? Cittaṁ hissa, bhikkhave, paduṭṭhaṁ. Cetopadosahetu kho pana, bhikkhave, evam’idhekacce sattā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjantī”ti.

“Here, bhikkhus, I discern with the mind, after having examined a certain person with an |upset::angry, irritable or offended [paduṭṭha]| mind as follows: ‘If this person were to die at this very moment, they would be reborn in |hell::a place of intense suffering, lit. no good fortune [niraya]|, just as if they were carried and |placed::dropped, set aside [nikkhitta]| there.’ What is the reason for this? Because their mind is upset. Due to mental corruption, bhikkhus, some beings, with the breaking up of the body, after death, are reborn |in a state of loss::in a state of misery [apāya]|, in a bad destination, in a |realm of downfall::realm of misery [vinipāta]|, in hell.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:

“Paduṭṭhacittaṁ ñatvāna,
ekaccaṁ idha puggalaṁ;
Etamatthañca byākāsi,
buddho bhikkhūna santike.

“Having known a certain person here,
to have an upset mind;
The Buddha explained this matter,
in the presence of the bhikkhus —

Imamhi cāyaṁ samaye,
kālaṁ kayirātha puggalo;
Nirayaṁ upapajjeyya,
cittaṁ hissa padūsitaṁ.

If this person were to die,
at this very moment;
They would be reborn in hell,
for their mind is upset.

Yathā haritvā nikkhipeyya,
evamevaṁ tathāvidho;
Cetopadosahetu hi,
sattā gacchanti duggatin”ti.

Just as one might carry something and |set it down::puts down, places it down [nikkhipati]|,
so too is such a person [placed in hell];
Indeed, due to mental corruption,
beings go to a bad destination.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.

Qualities:

Anger

Anger

A burning surge of aversion that erupts against people or situations, scorching clarity and kindness. It distorts perception and drives speech and action toward harm.

Also known as: rage, wrath, fury, indignation
Pāli: kodha, kopa
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Ill will

Ill will

A mental quality of actively opposing or rejecting others in thought, manifesting as deliberate thoughts or intentions that oppose kindness and compassion; it fuels conflict and obstructs goodwill.

Also known as: actively opposing or rejecting others in thought, thought of malevolence towards another, hostile reflections towards another
Pāli: byāpāda
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Irritability

Irritability

A prickly restlessness of mind easily stirred by small discomforts or disagreement. It weakens patience and readies the ground for anger and harsh reaction.

Also known as: crankiness, moodiness, being prone to annoyance, being prone to anger
Pāli: kodhana
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Resentment

Resentment

Holding a grudge and keeping anger alive in memory. Unlike a sudden flash of anger, resentment ties a knot of hostility, holding onto past grievances and refusing to forgive.

Also known as: bearing a grudge, harboring enmity
Pāli: upanāha
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Last updated on December 13, 2025