Answer

In Jain Dharma, anger lasting for fifteen years may indicate a very intense and deep-rooted form of kashāya, but we should not automatically label it as Anantānubandhī krodha only by the number of years.

Anantānubandhī kashāya is not defined merely by duration. It is mainly identified by its spiritual effect: it is so intense that it obstructs samyag darshan — right faith — and keeps the soul bound in wrong belief and strong attachment-aversion.

Explanation

Jainism describes four intensities of passions such as anger, pride, deceit, and greed:

• Anantānubandhī — extremely destructive; obstructs right faith.
• Apratyākhyānī — prevents partial vows.
• Pratyākhyānī — prevents complete vows.
• Sanjvalana — subtle passion, still present even in advanced spiritual stages.

So if anger remains for fifteen years, it is certainly spiritually harmful and suggests strong attachment and aversion. But whether it is specifically Anantānubandhī depends on questions such as:

• Does it destroy compassion and forgiveness in your heart?
• Does it make you reject Dharma, Guru, or right understanding?
• Does it create a desire to harm or take revenge?
• Does it prevent you from accepting your own fault and practicing forgiveness?
• Does it keep you in intense hatred without repentance?

If the anger is accompanied by deep hatred, revenge, cruelty, and refusal to forgive, it may be close to the nature of Anantānubandhī krodha. But if you feel remorse, want to overcome it, and are trying to forgive, that itself is a spiritually positive sign.

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, anger binds karma and disturbs the purity of the soul. Long-held anger becomes like an inner wound. Even if the other person is far away, the anger continues to burn the one who holds it.

The Jain path teaches:

• Kshamā — forgiveness
• Mārdava — humility
• Ārjava — straightforwardness
• Samyam — self-restraint

The important step is not to classify the anger intellectually, but to begin reducing it sincerely.

Takeaway

Fifteen years of anger is serious, but only a spiritually destructive intensity that blocks right faith is called Anantānubandhī. If you recognize the anger and wish to overcome it, begin with kshamā bhāvanā, pratikraman, and sincere inner release. This effort itself weakens the kashāya and supports the soul’s progress.