Shloka 5
Yoga’s Limbs and Dharma as the Ground of Liberation
यच्चद्रव्यापहरणं चौर्याद्वाथ बलेन वा / स्तेयं तस्यानाचरणमस्तेयं धर्मसाधनम्
yaccadravyāpaharaṇaṃ cauryādvātha balena vā / steyaṃ tasyānācaraṇamasteyaṃ dharmasādhanam
Taking away another’s property—whether by theft or even by force—is called stealing. Refraining from that is asteya (non-stealing), and it is a means for accomplishing dharma.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Asteya: taking another’s property by theft or force is steya; non-appropriation is a means to accomplish dharma.
Vedantic Theme: Aparigraha/asteya reduce rajas-tamas and purify the mind, supporting higher sadhana.
Application: Respect ownership and consent; avoid exploitation, fraud, coercive extraction; cultivate contentment and transparent dealings.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.238.1-2 (yama/niyama framework)
FAQs
This verse defines stealing broadly (by theft or by force) and teaches that abstaining from it—asteya—is itself a direct support for dharma and righteous living.
By classifying both covert theft and forceful seizure as steya, the verse implies equal moral accountability for outcomes created by unjust acquisition, shaping one’s karmic results.
Avoid taking what is not rightfully yours—through fraud, coercion, exploitation, or misuse of power—and treat honest livelihood and respect for others’ property as a daily dharmic discipline.