The ten commandments of Hinduism are given in Manusmriti 6.92.
This verse, like others in the Manusmriti, is deeply philosophical. At face value, it presents ten commandments that we strive towards in life.
At a deeper philosophical level, these commandments allow us to develop a deeper consciousness that leads us to God-realisation. For example, whereas dhritih is patience, it is innate patience and perseverance that allows consistent and constant meditation. Damah refers to self-control; it also relates to control of the mind, which is necessary for spiritual evolution.
The approach toward absorbing this verse is to contemplate its impact on our lives and relationships as well as on our spiritual life and spiritual progress.
धृति: क्षमा दमोऽस्तेयं शौचमिन्द्रियनिग्रह: ।
धीर्विद्या सत्यमक्रोधो दशकं धर्मलक्षणम् ॥
Dhritih kshamaa damosteyam
shaucham indriya-nigraha.
Dheer-vidyaa satyam-akrodho
dashakam dharma lakshanam
Patience, forgiveness, control of mind, control of senses, non-stealing, cleanliness, intellectual evolution (wisdom), acquisition of knowledge, truthfulness, absence of anger – these are the ten signs of Dharma.
| Values | Dharma | Opposite Value | Adharma |
| धृति dhriti | Patience, Confidence, Respect, firmness | अधृति Adhriti | impatience, irritable |
| क्षमा kshamaa | Forgiving, kind, compassionate | अक्षमा akshamaa | fight, destruction, irritability |
| दम dama | Calmness, self-control, awareness, control of the mind | अदम्य adamya | Restlessness, lack of control |
| अस्तेय asteya | Contentment, non-stealing, non-coveting | स्तेय steya | Mistrust, stealing, corruption |
| शौच shaucha | Respectful, pure in thoughts and actions, cleanliness, purity | अशौच ashaucha | disturbed, hurtful, vengeful, unclean, impure |
| इन्द्रियनिग्रह indriya-nigraha | control senses, discipline, subduing the passion | अनिग्रह anigraha | covetous, no self-control, unrestrained |
| धी dhee | intellect, wit, assertiveness, power of the mind, intellectual faculty, wisdom | अधी adhee | lack of assertiveness, abrasive, ignorance |
| विद्या vidyaa | good choices, knowledge | अविद्य avidya | lack of knowledge, poor decision-making, unwise, spiritual ignorance |
| सत्य satya | Truth, confidence, peace, virtuous | असत्य asatya | Superficial, insecure, lie, conniving, untruth, falsehood |
| अक्रोध akrodha | At peace, respectful, lack of anger | क्रोध krodha | intolerant, vindictive, angry |