The 6 Pillars of Sanatan-Dharma (The Eternal Religion)
‘For the benefit of all living beings’

1. Truthfulness
You must never lie, deceive, mislead, nor cheat anyone. If someone asks you a question and you do
not know or are not sure, simply say ‘I don’t know’. Making things up, breaking vows, betrayal,
cheating, deceiving, misleading, and hiding information is being untruthful.

2. Compassion
All living beings are brothers and sisters, and thus, one must be kind to all his brothers and sisters.
This teaching comes from the most merciful Person, Lord Krishna (God). Kindness to animals is
practiced by not killing them (vegetarianism and no leather). Treat people equally and nicely,
consider the wellbeing of everyone. Never consume alcohol and drugs, gamble, nor have
relationships outside of marriage, because these cause suffering to families and especially to the
women and children. One should never engage in these sinful activities, nor associate with those
who do.

3. Austerity
Live a simple life, don’t be materialistic, eat simply, fast, don’t make demands on others, lower your
ego, chant Vedic mantras, reduce your desires and lust, and go on pilgrimage to holy places with
the will to change your nature for the better. You should sacrifice your time and money for the
advancement of true religion.

4. Cleanliness
Take bath at least once daily, brush teeth at least twice daily, keep the home, business/work area,
public places, rivers, and keep streets clean by regular cleaning and not throwing trash. Don’t chew
or smoke tobacco or spit.

5. Charity
Donations should be given on a regular basis to accountable and worthy Temples, to those engaged
in the service of God, to those engaged in preaching the glories and instructions of God, and to the
poor.

6. Spiritual Education
Without spiritual knowledge there will be no advancement of consciousness. The Vedic knowledge
is eternal and vast with more than 1,000,000 verses, compiled by God Himself in Person. They
provide knowledge in all areas of life and the science of God. The Shrimad Bhagavad-Gita is the
essence of all Vedic knowledge, the word of God in Person. The Shrimad Bhagavatam has the
pastimes of God and His devotees, the science of material creation and other information. The Vedic
scriptures contain information on God, including His description, appearances, and activities.

“Education, charity, penance and truth are said to be the four legs of religion…” (ShrimadBhagavatam 3.12.41)

“These four legs of powerful religion are truthfulness, mercy, austerity and charity…”
(Shrimad-Bhagavatam 12.3.18)

“In the age of Satya [truthfulness] your four legs were established by the four principles of
austerity, cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness…” (Shrimad Bhagavatam 1.17.24)

“Cultivation of spiritual knowledge, charity, austerity, truthfulness, compassion for all
living entities, cleanliness…– these transcendental qualities, O son of Bharata, belong to
godly men endowed with divine nature.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 16.1-3)

 

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