The Ten Commandments of Hinduism

The 10 commandments of Hinduism as follows: 

paropakaara punyaaya
paapaaya para peedanam

Hinduism is a practice, the Berock of whose culture is all about giving. Its a Dhaanam culture, its a Tyaagam culture. Punya is paropakaaram (helping others), Paapam is parapeedanam (inflicting others).  

The first five are called "Yamah" and the second five are called "Niyamah". The Yamah together with the Niyamah form the ten commandments which will ensure leading a moral life in Hinduism.

Do Nots:

1) Himsaa varjanam.– varjanam means avoidance. Himsaa means violence. Avoidance of all forms of violence. Physical verbal and mental violence towards others including  krodha (anger/revenge),  matsarya (jealousy). Do praayaschitham for unavoidable violence (example is you are fighting for a country in a war by profession). Praayaschitham is through "Pancha Maha Yagnya" Here yagnya denotes duties towards Deva (almighty), Pithru (ancestors), Manushya (fellow human beings), Bhoota (animals & plants) and Brahma (gaining knowledge through systematic study of scriptures).

2) Asathya varjanam - avoid all avoidable lies, as this a paapam. Unavoidable lies for general welfare should be followed by praayaschitham which is again through pancha maha yagnya.

3) Stheyavarjanam - stheya varjanam. In simple language it is astheyam – which means avoidance of stealing. So stealing means not just burglary, any illegitimate possession comes under stealing.

4) Maithuna varjanam – maithunam means inappropriate sexual relationships, avoidance in thoughts, words and deeds.

5) Parigraha varjanam - Avoidance of over possession. hoarding, amassing, etc. To put it in positive language, simple living. To the extent possible, simple living and  sharing with others. Avoidance of kama (lust/desire), lobha (greed), moha (delusion/attachment) and mada (pride/intoxication).

These are the five avoidances - himsa varjanam, asathya varjanam, stheya varjanam, maithuna varjanam and parigraha varjanam.

Dos:

Then there are five positive things to be followed in the Hinduism practices.

6) Shaucham - Shaucham means purity both outside and inside purity. Inside in terms of body, mind and thoughts.

7) Santosha - Positive contentment with whatever I acquire through legitimate methods. Positive contentment and being happy. "Yallabhase nija kamo paatham vitham thena vinodhaya chitham". 

8) Tapas  – tapas means any self denial practiced for mastery over one’s own instruments. Self denial – like fasting, mounam etc.any vow taken, in which I deny myself certain comforts for self mastery. Tapas is austerity or self denial. 

9) Swaadhyaaya– scriptural study is very important, as it refines ones mind and intellect. Gets the focus on the right things that matter spiritually. Scriptural study is an important discipline or value called swaadhyaayaand.

10) Eshwara prannidhaanam - this means surrender to the Lord by which accepting every experience as a karma phalam which is coming as a gift from God. Having patience and courage to accept every experience and not allowing the experience to generate negative emotion. 

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