Hinduism For All - Codes of Conduct

Hinduism For All

Codes of Conduct

The Ten Vedic Restraints:

1. Ahimsa (Non Violence) :

Practice of non injury to others, not harming others, by way of either thought, speech (or) action even in dreams.

2. Satya (Truthfulness) :

Adherence to Truthfulness, refraining from lying even for silliest reasons, betraying promises.

3. Asteya (Non - Stealing) :

Abstaining from the evil act of thieving, stealing (or) coveting other’s property.

4. Brahmacharya (Celibacy) :

Controlling our sexual desires, by remaining celibate when single (before marriage) and being faithful (to one’s own wife after marriage).

5. Kshama (Patience, Endurance, Tolerance) :

It’s one of the greatest learning which Hinduism teaches. These three qualities when cultivated helps in minimizing mental stress and helps us maintain mental equilibrium during both good and bad times.

6. Dhriti (Stead fastness) :

Persistence in our work, with perserverence to acheive our goal and avoiding procrastination of any kind.

7. Daya (Compassion) :

Showing sympathy and cultivating unconditional love even towards those who may have done bad to us.

8. Aarjava (Honesty) :

Abstaining from being dishonest, deception and cheating, obeying laws of nation and act honourably even in hard times.

9. Mitaachaara (Moderate Appetite) :

To have a moderate appetite as both eating too much and too less is bad for health. Also refraining from eating meat, fish, fowl, eggs, junk food etc.

10. Saucha (Purity) :

Purity in mind, body, speech and in action. Refrain using foul language, keeping bad company etc.

The Ten Vedic Practices

1. Hri (Remorse) :

To always have an expression of modesty, to have a feeling of remorse and shame on our own wrong action committed by mistake, recognizing our errors. Confessing and making required amendments.

2. Santosha (Contentment) :

Seeking serenity and joy in life, being happy and with a smile at any time. With a feel of gratitude for everything that is with us, our health, wealth, friends etc.

3. Daana (Generosity) :

Giving liberally to the needy and the poor and to those who come seeking. Donating to temples, Aashrams, Spiritual Organizations and Religious activities.

4. Astikya (Faith) :

Having unshakable belief and faith in God Almighty and also in our Guru who shows us the right path and leads us to God.

5. Eeshwara Poojana (Worship) :

Worshipping God with sincere devotion.

6. Siddhaanta Shravanam (Scriptural Listening) :

Learning scriptures, to attentively listen and learn the valuable teachings rendered by the scriptures, the Vedas and other sacred texts.

7. Mati (Cognition) :

To discover the hidden lesson from each experience through development of spiritual will and intellect which is gained by the grace of a Guru. To understand the actuality of life.

8. Vrata (Sacred Vows) :

To follow fulfil and honour religious vows like remaining without food on an Ekaadashi day refrain talking to anyone for a day, going on a yearly pilgrimage etc.

9. Japa (Recitation) :

Chanting of mantra that has been initiated by a Guru, memorize it. This enables us to quiten the agitated mind.

10. Tapas (Austerity) :

Undergoing serious disciplines, practicing penances and performing Vedic Yajnyas (sacrifices) as guided by learned.

When we come to the end of the pages, the journey seems to have just begun. If this is the experience of the readers, then as an author I have achieved my purpose, for to understand Hinduism in its entirety, with all its cultural variety and profoundity is a task almost impossible. A journey called life is made richer and pleasurable when one understand the myraid forms of Hinduism, the values it teaches, the spiritual heights it ascends, the symbology it unravels. Travel, my friends, through the length and breadth of India to understand the richness of Hinduism. For, the one who doesn’t move from his place has read only a book from the library called ‘Hinduism’. We will keep our travel through the greatness and structural beauty of Hindu Temples in India and around the world in our next endevour. Till then -

Aa no bhadra ritavo yantu vishvataha

(May noble thoughts keep pouring to us from all sides).

This article is a snippet from the Book Hinduism For All, Authored by TS Srinivasan and Edited By Dr Ramchandrashekar. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in & across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture & Tradition.

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