Vedic Code of Ethics

Vedic Code of Ethics

Character building is the main objective of education. Here again lies the responsibility of an ideal teacher. According to the Vedas, the best teachers are those who not only teach but also make their pupils worthy citizens possessing noble virtues.

Vedic student were taught to respect their elders, namely, father, mother, teachers and guests. But to respect elders did not mean to imitate them or follow them blindly. They were to respect their elders, but at the same time they were to discriminate the ennobling features of their elders’ character from those that were unsophisticated. The gurus or teachers of Vedic traditional used to instruct their students at the time of convocation:

‘Let your mother be a godless unto you. Let your father be a god unto you. Let your teacher be a god unto you. The works that are not blameworthy are to be resorted to, not the others. Those actions of ours that are commendable are to be followed by you, not the others.’
Atharva Veda, 14.1.1

All your day-to-day dealings are based upon faith in others. If individuals turn out to be untruthful, the entire social system will collapse. Hence truthfulness is the foundation of human life. In the words of the Vedas:
‘The earth is sustained through Truth.’

Thus, one of the vital aspects of education is to train the young to be truthful. As per the Vedic dictum: 

‘Tread on the path of truth.’
Yajur Veda, 7.45.

‘Observe minutely the path of truth which has been trodden by enlightened sages.’
Atharva Veda, 18.4.3.

The Vedas further assert that:
‘The noble soul who pursues the path of truth is never defeated.’
Rig Veda, 9.73.8.

Truthfulness, in order to be a virtue, must not hurt or injure others. The purpose of truthfulness is welfare of others. When such a purpose is not served, it is wise to remain silent. What is true must be good and what is good must be true. Hence, according to the Vedas, one should aspire for sweetness of speech, which ensures peace and prosperity:

‘May there be sweetness in front of my tongue; may the root of my tongue be replete with honey.’
Atharva Veda, 1.34.2.

‘May I use sweet words in my speech’ (1.34.3).

A student should not engage himself in criticizing others, giving little importance to what he himself is doing. Criticizing others ultimately injures the criticizers, for it is the criticizer whose mind gets contaminated by perceiving evil in others. Hence the Vedas warn us:

‘Those who defame other are themselves defamed.’
Rig Veda, 5.2.6

True education should train individuals to be honest in their dealings. Like truthfulness, honesty is also a vital factor which ensures social stability. To be precise, honesty is also a form of truthfulness. Hence the Vedas enjoin on human being to earn wealth by dint of honest labour:

‘O God, keep away from me that wealth which degrades me, which entangles me from all directions and withers me like a parasitic plant that withers away the tree. O supreme Lord of wealth, thy hands are golden. Bless me with that wealth which gives me peace and joy.’
Atharva Veda, 7.115.2.

The Vedas instruct man to endeavor to acquire the wealth which legitimately belongs to him and not covet others’ property.

‘Do not covet the wealth of others.’
Yajur Veda, 40.1.

Education should equip one with a rational and scientific attitude. The Vedic Pashu Yaga mantras, though addressed to the sacrificial animal, could well inspire us to explore new horizons in quest of knowledge.

‘Explore the ocean, explore the sky and be blessed’ (6.21).

Adversity brings the opportunity to test our strength and discover for ourselves the stuff of which we are made. The Vedas teach us that our resolutions should be firm enough to encounter all our adversities bravely. The more we try away from adversities, the more they will follow us. The only solution is to stop and face the brutes, boldly. Bravery alone can lead us to success.

‘Be firm and unshaken.’
Rig Veda, 10.173.1.

‘(May our speech be) strong and invincible.’
Atharva Veda, 20.47.3