Asteya

Asteya (अस्तेय) means “non-stealing.” It is one of the five yamas (restraints) in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras — the ethical commitment to not taking what is not freely given.

Overview

Asteya is the virtue of respecting others’ property and possessions — not merely refraining from physical theft but also from intellectual theft, emotional exploitation, and psychological manipulation. The Yoga Sutras (2.37) states: “When the yogi is established in asteya, all wealth comes to him.” The Manusmriti (10.63) states: “Not-stealing (asteya) is one of the highest virtues.” In Jainism, asteya is one of the ten dharmas (virtues) and is practiced through the asteya-vrata (the vow of non-stealing).

Philosophical Context

Asteya is distinguished from dana (generosity) in that asteya is the absence of taking while dana is the active giving. The Bhagavad Gita (17.14) states: “The worship of the gods, the Brahmins, the teachers, and the wise — cleanliness, straightforwardness, celibacy, and non-stealing — these are called austerity of the body.” In Jainism, asteya is practiced through aparigraha (non-possession) — if one does not possess, one cannot steal. The Tirukkural (201) states: “Not stealing (asteya) is the supreme dharma.”

Interpretations

The Yoga tradition interprets asteya as the mental state of non-coveting — the desire to take what belongs to others is itself a form of stealing, even if the act is not performed. The Bhakti movements interpreted asteya as the renunciation of the desire for credit and recognition — “stealing” glory that belongs to God. The Jain tradition practices asteya literally — monks do not accept unoffered food; laypeople practice it through honest business dealings. In modern India, asteya has been adopted as a principle of intellectual property rights and ethical business practices.

Verification Notes

• Yoga Sutras 2.37 on the fruit of asteya.
• Manusmriti 10.63 on non-stealing as a virtue.
• Tirukkural 201 on the supreme dharma of non-stealing.
• Audited against Wikipedia and ethical philosophy references (September 2026).