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सत्य
satya
Truthfulness; the second yama. Speaking what is, balanced with ahimsa (truth that injures should be tempered by silence).
सत्य; यथार्थ वचन।
Hindu thought is built from a vocabulary of carefully-distinguished terms. Words like satya are not loose translations — each has a precise scriptural genealogy, a specific role in ritual or philosophy, and often a counterpart that completes its meaning. Many of the major Hindu darśanas (Sāṅkhya, Yoga, Vedānta, Mīmāṃsā, Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika) refined their vocabulary over centuries; the same Sanskrit term can carry different shades in different schools.
Satya sits within a cluster of related concepts — yama, ahimsa. Reading these together gives you the actual texture of the idea, rather than treating it as an isolated definition. Each Sanskrit term in this glossary is cross-linked to the others it presupposes.
Where useful we cite the primary scriptural source — the Upaniṣad, sūtra, or smṛti passage where the term is given its classical sense — alongside trusted modern dictionaries (Monier-Williams, V.S. Apte, Sanskrit Heritage). For practical questions about usage in pūjā or daily life, ask a paṇḍita in your tradition.
Restraints; the first limb of Patanjali's yoga — Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (continence), Aparigraha (non-possession).
Non-violence in thought, word, and deed; the first and foremost yama. Foundational to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Non-violence in thought, word, and deed; the first and foremost yama. Foundational to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Donation of food. Considered the highest dana ('annadanam param danam'). Free meals (prasadam, langar) at temples are institutional annadana — Tirupati, Iskcon, BAPS, Sikh gurudwaras.
Guest; literally 'one without a fixed time of arrival.' 'Atithi devo bhava' — the guest is to be treated as God. Atithi-yajna is one of the five mahayajnas.
Continence; conduct leading to Brahman. Both a yama (sexual restraint) and the first ashrama (student stage of life).
Gift-giving; charity. Considered a primary act of dharma. Specific danas for specific purposes — anna-dana (food), vidya-dana (knowledge), abhaya-dana (protection), gow-dana (cow), bhumi-dana (land).
Wise conduct, polity, ethics. Genres: Niti-shastra (treatises like Chanakya Niti, Vidura Niti, Bhartrihari's Niti Shataka).
Selfless service. Considered a path to liberation in itself (seva-yoga). Includes guru-seva, deva-seva, mata-pita-seva, atithi-seva, deena-seva.
Awaiting paṇḍita verification before final publication. If you spot an inaccuracy in the Sanskrit, IAST, or interpretation, please write to us.