Hindu Moral Guidelines

If the Ten Commandments are the Abrahamic centerpiece, then Hinduism's equivalents are the Yamas and Niyamas - ten guiding moral disciplines covering honesty, compassion, restraint, devotion, and purity. Together with ahimsa and dharma, they form the backbone of Hindu morality.

The Yamas and Niyamas (Ethical Disciplines of Yoga)

Found in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, these are often called the Hindu "commandments."

Five Yamas (restraints - moral don'ts)

Ahimsa - non-violence, not harming others.
Satya - truthfulness.
Asteya - non-stealing.
Brahmacharya - control of the senses (often interpreted as moderation, chastity, or self-restraint).
Aparigraha - non-possessiveness, not hoarding or grasping.

Five Niyamas (observances - moral do's)

Shaucha - purity (cleanliness, inner and outer).
Santosha - contentment.
Tapas - self-discipline, austerity.
Swadhyaya - study of the self and sacred scriptures.
Ishvarapranidhana - devotion or surrender to God.

These ten together are considered the heart of Hindu moral practice.

Sanatana Dharma (The Eternal Duties)

The Manusmriti and later texts summarize universal moral duties for all humans (not just Hindus). They include:

Compassion to all beings.
Forgiveness.
Self-control.
Honesty.
Non-violence.
Purity.

Ahimsa as a Supreme Virtue

Though listed above, it is worth highlighting: ahimsa (non-violence) became one of Hinduism’s most emphasized ethical teachings, inspiring movements like Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance.

Dharma (Righteous Conduct)

Unlike a fixed set of rules, dharma is context-sensitive — what is right may depend on age, role, or circumstance. Still, it always ties back to truth, justice, and harmony.