In Sikhism, the Five virtues are fundamental qualities which one should develop in order to reach Mukti, or to reunite or merge with God.[1] The Sikh Gurus taught that these positive human qualities were Sat (truth), Daya (compassion), Santokh (contentment), Nimrata (humility), and Pyaar (love).
Sat is the virtue of truthful living, which means practising "righteousness, honesty, justice, impartiality and fair play."[2]
The Lord's humble servants are True — they practice Truth, and reflect upon the Word of the Guru's Shabad. The True Lord God unites them with Himself, and they keep the True Lord enshrined in their hearts. O Nanak, through the Name, I have obtained salvation and understanding; this alone is my wealth.
Santokh, or contentment, is freedom "from ambition, envy, greed and jealousy. Without contentment, it is impossible to acquire peace of mind."[2]
Practice truth, contentment and kindness; this is the most excellent way of life. One who is so blessed by the Formless Lord God renounces selfishness, and becomes the dust of all.
The exercise of Daya, or compassion, involves "considering another's difficulty or sorrow as one's own and helping to relieve it as far as possible. Compassion also includes the overlooking of imperfections and mistakes of others, for to err is human."[2]
Be kind to all beings-this is more meritorious than bathing at the sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage and the giving of charity.
^Cole, W. Owen; Sambhi, Piara Singh (2005). A Popular Dictionary of Sikhism: Sikh Religion and Philosophy. Routledge. p. 85. ISBN9781135797607. Virtues - Virtues as well as vices are part of the human potential but unlike the latter which are usually spoken of as being five, there is no limit upon the number of virtues. The most important in the teaching of the Gurus are the practice of truth ('The highest virtue of all is truth, but higher still is truthful living' AG 62), purity of body and mind, temperance, contentment, forgiveness, justice, and patience. All these are acquired only through meditation upon the Name (of God) for these are characteristics of God from whom the devotee derives them.