ahiḿsā satyam asteyam
akāma-krodha-lobhatā
bhūta-priya-hitehā ca
dharmo 'yaḿ sārva-varṇikaḥ
ahimsa -- nonviolence; satyam -- truthfulness; asteyam -- honesty; a-kama-krodha-lobhata -- being free from lust, anger and greed; bhuta -- of all living entities; priya -- the happiness; hita -- and welfare; iha -- desiring; ca -- also; dharmah -- duty; ayam -- this; sarva-varnikah -- for all members of society.
Nonviolence, truthfulness, honesty, desire for the happiness and welfare of all others and freedom from lust, anger and greed constitute duties for all members of society.
The word sarva-varnika indicates that the above-mentioned principles constitute general piety, which should be observed by all members of society, even those outside the varnasrama system. We practically find that even in societies that have fallen away from the varnasrama system, the above-mentioned principles are honored and encouraged. Such principles do not constitute a specific path of liberation but are perennial virtues in human society.
