Ethics of Hinduism

Sir Edward Blunt writes:

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

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 shraddha.

Commandments

Rig Veda (5 commandments)

Hindus today submit to the Panchavrata or five major vows or commandments:

1. Ahimsa (non-injury)
2. Brahmacharya (non-fornication)
3. Asteya (non-stealing)
4. Satya (non-lying)
5. Aparigrahā (non-possessiveness)

The following excerpt from the Rig Veda (10:5:6) sums up the Panchavrata:

"Violence, womanising, 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 Gita (9 commandments)

The lawgiver Krishna gave the following precepts:

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

Manu Smriti (10 commandments)

In Manusmriti ten aspects of general duties are mentioned. They are:

1. Ahimsa
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 Smṛti (5 commandments)

Sage Yājñavalkya was a rishi in the Vedic age, and mentor of Raja Janaka. The Yājñavalkya Smṛti (5.122) prescribes the Panchavrata, apart from other moral codes.

Yoga Sutra (10 commandments)

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

1. Ahimsa: 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. Kshama: Patience, releasing time, functioning in the now.
6. Driti: Steadfastness, overcoming non-perseverance, fear, and indecision; seeing each task through to completion.
7. Daya: Compassion; conquering callous, cruel and insensitive feelings toward all beings.
8. Arjava: 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. Shaucha: Purity, avoidance of impurity in body, mind and speech

Sandilya Upanishad (10 commandments)

Sandilya Upanishad is the 62nd Upanishad, and it declares 10 yamas.

1. Ahimsa - Non-violence
2. Satya - Truth
3. Asteya - Non-stealing
4. Brahmacharya - Celibacy
5. Daya - Compassion
6. Arjava - Equanimity
7. Kshama - Forgivness
8. Dhrti - Firmness of mind
9. Mitahara - Vegetarianism, and non-wasting of food
10. Sancha

Veda Vyasa (10 commandments)

In the Mahâ Purânam Srimad Devî Bhâgavatam, Veda Vyasa writes of achieving yoga or union with God by destroying the six enemies of yoga; lust, anger, greed, ignorance, vanity and jealousy. The six attributes can be destroyed by following Patanjali's commandments.

Maharishi Gautama (10 commandments)

Maharishi Gautama was a lawgiver, and ascribed eight yamas.

1. Daya sarvabhuteshu: Kindness, compassion, pity and sympathy towards every living being
2. Kshama: Forgivenss
3. Anusuya, anirmatsarata: No jealousy
4. Shauch, antar-bahya-shuchirbhutata: Purity, the state of being pure from outside and inside
5. Anayasa: Not to indulge in petty and meaningless things
6. Mangala: To think, wish and work for bliss, wellbeing and prosperity of all
7. Akarpanya: Neither to be nor to show weakness and miserliness
8. Aspriha: Neither list nor wish to possess whatever belonged to others

Srimad Bhagavatam (30 commandments)

The Srimad Bhagavatam 7.11.8-12 lays down the following customs to be practiced for a good human life.

1. Truthfulness
2. Mercy
3. Austerity (observing fasts on certain days of the month)
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. Carity
12. Rading 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 (both men and animals)
21. Seeing every soul (especially in the human form) as a part of the Supreme Lord
22. Hearing about the activities and instructions given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead (who is the shelter of the saintly persons) #Chanting about these activities and instructions
23. Always remembering these activities and instructions
24. Trying to render service
25. Performing worship
26. Offering obeisances
27. Becoming a servant
28. Becoming a friend
29. Surrendering one's whole self

Narada Bhakti Sutra (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

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.

See also

• Sanatana Dharma ideal
• Rulership in Hinduism