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The Conduct of a Householder
119
He should have equanimity of mind, be noble and kind and should not extol himself.1
The position of truth in Brahmanism
Truth held a prominent place in Brāhmaṇism from the Rgvedic times. In the Rgveda, rta which is another name for truth, is considered to be the chief divine quality.2 In Satapatha, truthfulness is identified with dharma.3 The Upanisads declare in unequivocal terms that truth alone conquers and not falsehood.4
The vow of non-stealing
The vow of non-stealing, which means abstention from taking a thing which is not given, is very comprehensive and includes avoidance of dishonesty in all walks of life. Like other vices, even stealing is connected with violence by Amitagati. Wealth is, as if it were, external vital force of a man, and whosoever takes that away commits violence.5 Moreover, pramattayoga which is the backbone of violence, is also present in the act of stealing. 6
Dvādaśānuprekṣā summarises the scope of this vow in these words: one should not buy a valuable article at low price, nor sell it at low price, nor appropriate something that has been forgotten, nor take the property of others through anger or greed.' Similarly, Asadhara forbids taking a thing whose ownership is doubtful. He also says that valuables like a buried hoard should be considered as the property of the state. Samantabhadra holds that what is unoffered, placed, dropped or forgotten by others, should neither be taken nor
1. Handiqui, K. K., Yasastilaka and Indian Culture, p. 266.
2. Rgueda, 10.190.1.
3. यो वै स धर्मः सत्यं वै तत् ।
-Satapathabrahmana, Kashi, VS 1994, 14-4.2.26.
4. Mundakopanisad, 3.1.6.
5. Purṣarthasiddhyupaya, 103.
6. Ibid., 104.
7. Kartikeyanuprekṣā, 335.
8. Sāgāradharmāmṛta, 4.49. 9. Ibid., 4.48.
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