Asteya

Whatever be the definition given to the term theft, stealing has been considered as an unethical act by every religions well as all systems of law. The Indian term to abstain from stealing is ‘Asteya’. ‘Why should we ask the society to abstain from stealing?’ is a question to be answered by the philosophers of ethics. Imagine that everyone in a society practices theft. It is needless to say that no one can lead a normal life in such a society. A society in which everyone practices theft can create only confusion. Nobody can lead a normal and peaceful life in a confused state of affairs. Therefore the primary requirement of the normal human existence is order rather than chaos. The primary duty of every ruler, whatever is the nature of the theory of statecraft, has to ensure law and order; that is to provide conditions for the existence and co-existence of one and all. Asteya, specifically demands everyone not only to take something of somebody either by force or consent but also to give up everything that is not essential to ensure ones’ own existence. In this sense Asteya specifically says that one has to regulate oneself to fix his or her minimum as a prelude to establish law and order in a civic society. In short law and order can be maintained properly not by the police force but by the self regulating individuals who firmly believes in virtues. Note: Asteyais a Sanskrit word that means non-stealing and it is an important principle of Hinduism and is a vow taken by Indian spiritual aspirants. Asteya means much more than the Biblical commandment ‘Thou shall not steal’. Asteya refers to not stealing, not coveting, non hoarding as well as not obstructing other people's desires in life.