How To Observe Asteya (Non-Stealing)

Ahimsa (abstention) is the first limb of Patanjali's eight-fold Yoga. Ahimsa includes five abstentions. Asteya is the third abstention. Patanjali has described that one who observes Asteya (non-stealing) gets all kinds of wealth. Asteya means one should not take others' money or wealth without their consent. This is a moral teaching that is commonly observed in all civilized societies. However, no moral teaching is observed one hundred percent. Moral teachings are written in texts in order to give value to them, and are spoken in order to give value to speech. Without thinking of what others do, in order to become a yogi, one should refrain from stealing in any form or practice.  This precept applies not only to individuals but to societies and countries as well.   

1. Countries shouldn't exploit other countries. Throughout human history, we can see that kings and emperors try to annex other countries in order to increase their revenue. For quick gain, they plunder their wealth. We admire them as world conquerors. During colonialism, powerful countries colonized weak nations and plundered their wealth. In modern times, economically powerful countries give loans to poor countries and in return, take away more benefits. For this, many countries fall in debt traps. War is going on in the Gulf for the oil potential of that region. So civilized countries should keep themselves away from plundering the wealth of other countries.
2. Nationals shouldn't exploit other nationals. Throughout history, it is seen that every nation tries to create its own prosperity, often by exploiting other nations. Because of this, many nations are struggling for independence. Sometimes other nationals are killed or displaced selectively in mass scale. World Wars have been fought due to this hatred and exploitation.
3. A bad phase in life shouldn't be an excuse for stealing.  Sometimes a man passes through a bad phase in life. He finds it difficult to arrange two square meals a day. But it shouldn't be an excuse for stealing or theft. He should refrain himself from committing a sin.
4. Time or day shouldn't be a consideration for theft.  A thief shouldn't justify himself or take consolation from the fact that he never steals in the morning or on auspicious days. Stealing is a sin for self as well as for humanity.
5. Corruption is also theft.  In modern times, a huge amount of black money is being generated due to corruption through bribery, commission, speed money or monthly collections. People from all walks of life like politicians, bureaucrats, religious leaders, businessmen, criminals and even the general public are involved in it. It would be a lengthy article to write about how corruption is rampant in the society. So it is better not to go in detail here. In order to observe Asteya, one should completely give up corruption or theft.

When one gives up theft or corruption, one tries to earn money or increase income through labor of body and mind. Money earned through true labor gives true happiness. No wealth is greater then the wealth of happiness or satisfaction. Patanjali writes that a yogi who observes Asteya gets all kinds of wealth.