
Only by a tranquil mind does one destroy all action,
good or bad. Once the self is pacified, one abides in the Self and
attains everlasting bliss. If the mind becomes as firmly established in
Brahman as it is usually attached to the sense objects, who, then, will
not be released from bondage?
Krishna Yajur Veda, Maitri Upanishad 6.34. VE, P. 422

Yamas: Ten Classical Restraints
SUTRA 46: NONINJURY AND TRUTHFULNESS
All devotees of Siva practice ahimsa, not harming others by thought, word or deed, even in their dreams. Adhering to satya, truthfulness, they do not lie, deceive, betray promises or keep secrets from loved ones. Aum.
SUTRA 47: NONSTEALING AND SEXUAL PURITY
All devotees of Siva uphold asteya, never stealing, coveting, cheating or entering into debt. They practice sexual purity, brahmacharya, controlling lust by remaining celibate when single and faithful in marriage. Aum.
SUTRA 48: PATIENCE AND STEADFASTNESS
All devotees of Siva exercise kshama, restraining intolerance with people and impatience with circumstances. They foster dhriti, steadfastness, overcoming nonperseverance, fear, indecision and changeableness. Aum.
SUTRA 49: COMPASSION AND STRAIGHTFORWARDNESS
All devotees of Siva practice daya, compassion, conquering callous, cruel, insensitive feelings toward all beings. Maintaining arjava, they are straightforward and honest, renouncing deception and wrongdoing. Aum.
SUTRA 50: MODERATE APPETITE AND PURITY
All devotees of Siva observe mitahara, moderation in appetite, not eating too much or consuming meat, fish, shellfish, fowl or eggs. They uphold shaucha, avoiding impurity in body, mind and speech. Aum Namah Sivaya.
Niyamas: Ten Classical Observances
SUTRA 51: REMORSE AND CONTENTMENT
All Siva's devotees, upholding the expression of hri, remorse, are modest and show shame for misdeeds. They nurture santosha, seeking joy and serenity in life. Thus, theirs is a happy, sweet-tempered, fulfilling path. Aum.
SUTRA 52: CHARITY AND FAITH
All Siva's devotees practice dana, tithing and giving generously, creatively, without thought of reward. They sustain an unshakable faith, astikya, believing in God, Gods, guru and the Vedi c path to enlightenment. Aum.
SUTRA 53: WORSHIP AND SCRIPTURAL STUDY
All Siva's devotees cultivate bhakti and family harmony in daily ritual and reflection, Ishvarapujana. Upholding siddhanta shravana, they hear the scriptures, study the teachings and listen to the wise of their lineage. Aum.
SUTRA 54: COGNITION AND VOWS
All Siva's devotees acquire mati, divine cognition and an indomitable will and intellect, under their satguru's guidance. They observe vratas, religious vows, rules and observances, and never waver in fulfilling them. Aum.
SUTRA 55: INCANTATION AND SACRIFICE
All Siva's devotees do japa daily, counting recitations on rudraksha beads. Embracing tapas through simple austerities, they sacrifice often, carry out penances as needed and perform sadhana regularly. Aum Namah Sivaya.
Ahimsa, the Foremost Discipline
SUTRA 56: NONINJURY
Siva's devotees do not intentionally kill or harm any
person or creature. Nonviolence, physically, mentally and emotionally,
is their highest code. Full of compassion, they are never a source of
fear or hurtfulness. Aum.
SUTRA 57: SUICIDE
Siva's devotees are forbidden to escape life's
experience through suicide. However, in cases of terminal illness,
under strict community regulation, tradition does allow fasting as a
means of mors voluntaria religiosa. Aum.
SUTRA 58: ABORTION
Devout Hindus all know abortion is, by Vedic edict, a sin against dharma fraught with karmic
repercussions. Scripture allows it only to prevent the mother's death,
for it is a greater sin for a child to kill the mother. Aum.
SUTRA 59: PORNOGRAPHY
Siva's devotees are forbidden to speak of, listen to or look at exhibitions of pornography. This adharma is addictive, erodes self-esteem and teaches that degrading women, men and children is acceptable behavior. Aum.
SUTRA 60: PURITY OF SPEECH
Siva's devotees speak only what is true, kind, helpful
and necessary. They never use profane language, bear false witness,
engage in slander, gossip or backbiting, or even listen to such
debasing talk. Aum Namah Sivaya.
Regrettable Exceptions to Ahimsa
SUTRA 61: EXCEPTIONS TO AHIMSa
Siva's devotees, when unable to observe ahimsa perfectly,
may claim three exceptions to preserve one life over another. But these
must be used sparingly, reluctantly, after the noninjurious options
have been tried. Aum.
SUTRA 62: SELF-DEFENSE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Siva's devotees faced with imminent danger may elect to
injure or kill to protect their life or that of another, or to defend
the community as a soldier or a law officer in the line of duty. This
is ahimsa's first exception. Aum.
SUTRA 63: PRESERVING LIFE AND HEALTH
Siva's devotees may elect to preserve the life and
health of a person or animal under their care by forfeiting the life of
organisms, such as worms or microbes, that pose a threat. This is the
second exception to ahimsa. Aum.
SUTRA 64: PREDATORS AND PESTS
Siva's devotees may elect to protect the home, the
village and the nation by eradicating predators, pests, bacteria and
disease-carrying creatures that threaten health or safety. This is ahimsa's third and last exception. Aum.
SUTRA 65: NONINJURIOUS SOLUTIONS
Siva's devotees uphold the principle not to kill even
household pests, but to stop their entry, not to kill garden insects or
predators, but keep them away by natural means. This is the highest
ideal. Aum Namah Sivaya.
Reverence for the Environment
SUTRA 66: PROTECTING CREATURES, DEFENDING RIGHTS
All Siva's devotees are stewards of trees and plants,
fish and birds, bees and reptiles, animals and creatures of every shape
and kind. They respect and defend the rights of humans of every caste,
creed, color and sex. Aum.
SUTRA 67: HONORING THE VALUES OF OTHERS
All Siva's devotees think globally and act locally as
interracial, international citizens of the Earth. They honor and value
all human cultures, faiths, languages and peoples, never offending one
to promote another. Aum.
SUTRA 68: PRESERVING THIS DIVINE ABODE
All Siva's devotees honor and revere the world around
them as God's creation and work for the protection of the Earth's
diversity and resources to achieve the goal of a secure, sustainable
and lasting environment. Aum.
SUTRA 69: RESPECTING EARTH'S PLANTS AND ANIMALS
All Siva's devotees refuse to acquire or condone the use
of endangered plants, animals or products from exploited species, such
as furs, ivory, reptile skin, tortoise shell, or items produced using
cruel animal testing. Aum.
SUTRA 70: CONSERVING THE GIFTS OF NATURE
All Siva's devotees are frugal and resourceful, avoiding
waste and conserving nature's precious resources. They wisely store a
three-to-twelve-month supply of food according to the family's means.
Aum Namah Sivaya.
Self-Control
SUTRA 71: SEXUAL FAITHFULNESS
Devout Hindus observe the eightfold celibacy toward
everyone but their spouse, renouncing sexual fantasy, glorification,
flirtation, lustful glances, secret love talk, amorous longing,
rendezvous and intercourse. Aum.
SUTRA 72: ACCEPTING PRAISE AND BLAME
It is well known that all Siva's devotees can absorb any
amount of praise. But those who can withstand mental, emotional
persecution, even physical torment, with the same infinite capacity are
Siva's truest devotees. Aum.
SUTRA 73: LIVING IN TRADITIONAL SURROUNDINGS
Siva's devotees, in their homes, endeavor to surround
themselves with Saiva images, music and song. In the world they may
enjoy the arts of other cultures but strictly avoid lower-world
artistic expressions. Aum.
SUTRA 74: WISE USE OF TELEVISION
Siva's devotees may watch television and other media for
recreation and to keep informed about the world, limiting viewing to
about two hours a day. They avoid nudity, foul language, crudeness and
excessive violence. Aum.
SUTRA 75: COMPUTERS
Siva's devotees know computers and the Internet are
boons from the Gods and approach them as tools, not toys. They moderate
leisure use, minimize Web browsing and never play violent games. Aum
Namah Sivaya.
Worldly Activities
SUTRA 76: GAMBLING IS FORBIDDEN
Siva's devotees are forbidden to indulge in gambling or
games of chance with payment or risk, even through others or for
employment. Gambling erodes society, assuring the loss of many for the
gain of a few. Aum.
SUTRA 77: THE CURSE OF BAD MONEY
Siva's devotees, knowing that bad money is cursed and
can never do good deeds, refuse funds gained by fraud, bribery, theft,
dealing arms or drugs, profiting from abortion or divorce, and all
dark, devious means. Aum.
SUTRA 78: BRIBERY IS FORBIDDEN
Siva's devotees are forbidden to accept bribes; nor do
they offer bribes to others, no matter how seemingly necessary,
expedient or culturally accepted this practice may be. Jai, they fight for the mercy of honesty! Aum.
SUTRA 79: GUARDING AGAINST PRIDE
Siva's devotees treasure humility. They never boast,
point with their index finger or assume prideful postures, such as with
arms folded and chin held high, or with one foot resting on the knee
when sitting. Aum.
SUTRA 80: AVOIDING LOW-MINDED COMPANY
Siva's devotees avoid thieves and addicts, those who
are promiscuous, who feign devotion, who are ungrateful, against
religion, selfish, abusive, ill-tempered, vicious or who possess many
impurities. Aum Namah Sivaya.
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