Ethics of Hinduism

By Himanshu Bhatt

In Hinduism, there are five main commandments known as a the Panchavrata or Panchashila, that are always the core forbearance. Regardless of any rules prescribed, they cannot conflict with these Five Precepts. These are the chief vows of Buddhism and Jainism as well. Not only are Hindus required to adhere to these five forbearances, but there are other vows which they are encouraged to keep. Hindus are also encouraged to commit to service to humanity which is known as Mānav Dharma. Example of these include “Oh Noble men! We do not commit violence. We do not hurt others. We do not quarrel either. We of course chant Vedas and act according to its dictates“ and the Atharva Veda declares, “Every man should protect the other in all respects“.

Sir Edward Blunt writes:

A Hindu's code of ethics is as high as that of any other civilized nation.

Commandments

The Yamas (Panchavrata) and Niyamas

Sir Richard Burn writes of Hindu ethics:

He knows that it is wrong to commit murder, adultery, theft, and perjury, and to covert and he honors his parents, in the case of the father at any rate, to a degree exceeding the customs of most nations, which have no ceremony resembling that of the Śrāddha.

Commandments have always been taught for the benefit of society. Following them avoids problems, such as murder and theft, or the results from lying and non-chastity. They have been written by saints from various regions. An example is the Kaya Siddhar Konkana Munu writing, "Do not harm the poor; if you do, you cannot rid yourself of the resultant sin."

Ṛgveda

It means 5 commandments. Hindus today submit to the Panchavrata or five major vows or commandments:

1. Ahiṅsa - non-injury
2. Brahmacharya - non-fornication
3. Asteya - non-stealing
4. Satya - non-lying
5. Aparigraha - non-possessiveness

The following excerpt from the Ṛgveda sums up the Panchavrata:

"Violence, womanizing, drinking liquor, gambling, stealing, falsehood or lying and association with those who commit these sins; one who commits any of these sins is a sinner."

Bhagavad Gitā

It has 9 commandments. The lawgiver Kṛṣṇa gave the following precepts:

1. Amanitva - Absence of pride
2. Adambhitva - Absence of deceit
3. Ahiṅsā - Non-injury
4. Śanti - Patience
5. Arjava - Uprightness
6. Acaryopāsāna - Service to the teacher
7. Sauca - Internal and external purity
8. Sthairya - Steadfastness
9. Atmavinigraha - Self-control

Manu Smriti

It has 10 commandments. In Manusmṛti ten aspects of general duties are mentioned. They are:

1. Ahiṅsā
2. Truthfulness
3. Non-stealing
4. Purity
5. Control of senses
6. Intelligence
7. Knowledge
8. Non-anger
9. Forgiveness
10. Tenacity of purpose

Yājñavalkya Smrti

It has 5 commandments. Sage Yājñavalkya was a ṛṣi in the Vedic age and mentor of Rājā Janaka. The Yājñavalkya Smṛti) prescribes the Panchavrata, apart from other moral codes.

“Altruism (ijyacara), control of mind (dama), non-violence (ahimsa), charity (danam), self-study (svadhyaya), work (karma), realisation of the Atman by means of Yoga (yogena atma darshanam) — all these are Dharmas. Samskāras — Sacraments”[1]

Yoga Sutra

It has 10 commandments. Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras lists them to follow for a good or sinless livelihood.

1. Ahiṅsā: Nonviolence. Abstinence from injury that arises out of love for all, harmlessness, the not causing of pain to any living creature in thought, word, or deed at any time. This and Satya are the “main” yama. The other eight are there in support of its accomplishment.
2. Satya: Truthfulness, word and thought in conformity with the facts, honesty.
3. Asteya: Non-stealing, non-coveting, non-entering into debt.
4. Brahmacharya: being constantly aware of the universe, immersed in divinity, divine conduct, continence, celibate when single, faithfulness when married.
5. Kṣama: Patience, releasing time, functioning in the now.
6. Dṛti: Steadfastness, overcoming non-perseverance, fear, and indecision; seeing each task through to completion.
7. Dayā: Compassion; conquering callous, cruel and insensitive feelings toward all beings.
8. Ārjava: Honesty, straightforwardness, renouncing deception and wrongdoing.
9. Mithara: Moderate appetite, neither eating too much nor too little; nor consuming meat, fish, shellfish, fowl or eggs.
10. Śaucha: Purity, avoidance of impurity in body, mind and speech

Chandogya Upaniṣad

1. austerity
2. charity
3. straightforwardness
4. nonviolence
5. truthfulness[2]

Śāndilya Upaniṣad

It has 10 commandments. Śāndilya Upaniṣad is the 62nd Upaniṣad and it declares 10 yamas.

1. Ahiṅsā - Non-violence
2. Satya - Truth
3. Asteya - Non-stealing
4. Brahmacharya - Celibacy
5. Dayā - Compassion
6. Ārjava - Equanimity
7. Kṣamā - Forgiveness
8. Dhṛti - Firmness of mind
9. Mitāhāra - Vegetarianism and non-wasting of food
10. Sancha

Veda Vyāsa

It has 10 commandments. In the Mahā Purāṇam Śrimad Devî Bhāgavatam, Veda Vyāsa writes of achieving yoga or union with God by destroying the six enemies of yoga;

1. Lust
2. Anger
3. Greed
4. Ignorance
5. Vanity
6. Jealousy

The six attributes can be destroyed by following Patanjali's commandments.

Maharishi Gautama

It has 10 commandments. Mahaṛṣi Gautama was a lawgiver, and ascribed eight yamas.

1. Dāyā sarvabhuteshu: Kindness, compassion, pity and sympathy towards every living being.
2. Kṣamā: Forgiveness.
3. Anusuyā, anirmatsarata: No jealousy.
4. Śauch, antar-bāhya-śuchirbhutata: Purity, the state of being pure from outside and inside.
5. Anāyāsa: Not to indulge in petty and meaningless things.
6. Mangala: To think, wish and work for bliss, well-being and prosperity of all.
7. Akarpanya: Neither to be nor to show weakness and miserliness.
8. Aspṛha: Neither list nor wish to possess whatever belonged to others.

Srimad Bhagavatam

It has 30 commandments. The Śrimad Bhāgavatam lays down the following customs to be practiced for a good human life.

1. Truthfulness
2. Mercy
3. Austerity
4. Bathing twice a day
5. Tolerance
6. Discrimination between right and wrong
7. Control of the mind
8. Control of the senses
9. Nonviolence
10. Celibacy
11. Charity
12. Reading of scripture
13. Simplicity
14. Satisfaction
15. Rendering service to saintly persons
16. Gradually taking leave of unnecessary engagements
17. Observing the futility of the unnecessary activities of human society
18. Remaining silent and grave and avoiding unnecessary talk
19. Considering whether one is the body or the soul
20. Distributing food equally to all living entities
21. Seeing every soul as a part of the Supreme Lord
22. Hearing about the activities and instructions given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead
23. Chanting about these activities and instructions
24. Always remembering these activities and instructions
25. Trying to render service
26. Performing worship
27. Offering obeisances
28. Becoming a servant
29. Becoming a friend
30. Surrendering one's whole self

Nārada Bhakti Sutra

It means 5 commandments. The Nārada Bhakti Sūtra 78 declares five principles to practice.

1. Nonviolence
2. Truthfulness
3. Cleanliness
4. Compassion
5. Faith

Rules of war

See also: Rulership in Hinduism

For the Rajanya (Kshatriya) it should be either death or victory in battle...He should not in battle kill one who is stunned, who has surrendered his arms, or is a fugitive, nor those of his enemies whom he has captured nor their wives or children. Whatever is acquired either by victory or treaty should be distributed amongst the soldiers in shares according to merit.

Related Articles

• Sanātan Dharma Principle
• Objective Worldview
• Conduct
• Rulership in Hinduism
• Animal rights
• Ahimsa
• Ahimsa Paramo Dharma
• Karma Marga

External Resources

• Traditions of Giving in Hinduism By Sharada Sugirtharajah
• The Yamas and Niyamas as taught by a Raja Yogi
• “TEN KEY HINDU ENVIRONMENTAL TEACHINGS” By Pankaj Jain, Ph.D.

Contributors to this article

Himanshu Bhatt, Deval Sancheti

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