Five Virtues

This article is about the Sikh concept. For the Buddhist concept, see Five Precepts.

Sikh practices and discipline
Part of a series on
Five Banis Five Ks Five Thieves Five Virtues Simran Sewa Three pillars Sikh Rehat Maryada Amrit Velā

Sikh beliefs

1a. Simran (spiritual contemplation)
1b. Sewa (selfless service)
2. Three Pillars
- 2a. Naam Japo (contemplating God's names) Meditating on God's name to control the five evils and living a satisfying life.
- 2b. Kirat Karo (work diligently) Earning/making a living honestly, without exploitation or fraud
- 2c. Vand Chhako Sharing with others, helping those with less or those who are in need
3. Five Thieves
- 3a. Kaam (lust)
- 3b. Krodh (anger)
- 3c. Lobh (greed)
- 3d. Moh (attachment, e.g. to material things or people)
- 3e. Hankaar (ego, pride)
4. Five Virtues
- 4a. Sat (truth)
- 4b. Santokh (contentment)
- 4c. Daya (compassion)
- 4d. Nimrata (humility)
- 4e. Pyaar (love)

In Sikhism, the Five Virtues are fundamental qualities which one should develop in order to reach Mukti, or to reunite or merge with God. The Sikh Gurus taught that these positive human qualities were Sat (truth), Daya (compassion), Santokh (contentment), Dharam (discipline), and Vichar (contemplation).

Sat

Sat is the virtue of truthful living, which means practicing "righteousness, honesty, justice, impartiality and fair play."^[1]

The Lord's humble servants are True — they practice Truth, and reflect upon the Word of the Guru's Shabad. The True Lord God unites them with Himself, and they keep the True Lord enshrined in their hearts. O Nanak, through the Name, I have obtained salvation and understanding; this alone is my wealth.
— Guru Granth Sahib, page 600

Santokh

Santokh, or contentment, is freedom "from ambition, envy, greed and jealousy. Without contentment, it is impossible to acquire peace of mind."^[1]

Practice truth, contentment and kindness; this is the most excellent way of life. One who is so blessed by the Formless Lord God renounces selfishness, and becomes the dust of all.
— Guru Granth Sahib, ang 51

Daya

The exercise of Daya, or compassion, involves "considering another's difficulty or sorrow as one's own and helping to relieve it as far as possible. Compassion also includes the overlooking of imperfections and mistakes of others, for to err is human."^[1]

Be kind to all beings-this is more meritorious than bathing at the sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage and the giving of charity.
— Guru Granth Sahib, ang 136

Nimrata

Nimrata, translated as "humility", "benevolence" or "humbleness", is the fourth virtue.

The God-conscious being is steeped in humility.
— Guru Granth Sahib, page 273

Pyar

Pyar requires Sikhs to be filled with the love of God.

Let the Fear of God be your feet, and let His Love be your hands; let His Understanding be your eyes.
— Guru Granth Sahib,ang 139

References

1 2 3 Mansukhani, Gobind Singh (1977). Introduction to Sikhism. New Delhi: Hemkunt Press. Retrieved 2007-02-10.

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