Virtues Promoted By Dharma - Santosha 
                     c
Chaitanya Kumari
Writes informational articles on common ethics, 
sanathana dharma, Dharma Meaning, 
Hindu Ethics for all to all along with others on 
finance, health and cultivating wisdom.
While speaking about virtues promoted by Hindu Dharma, a special 
mention has to be made of “santosha.” When we just translate this 
term, it reads “contentment” or “satisfaction.” But it needs to be 
understood that the scope of “santosha,” as described in Hinduism, 
is very wide and encompasses many facets. This write-up attempts 
to provide a basic understanding of how “contentment” has been 
interpreted by the Sanatana Dharma. 
• An individual who is in a state of “santosha” is fully content 
with what they already have. They do not desire anything except 
what comes under basic necessities. They have gratitude towards 
life for all the things that they have. A person who has “santosha” 
never complains about things not present in their life.
• In Hinduism, “santosha” also includes making sincere efforts 
and not being attached to the outcome. Even if the end result is not 
what is expected, it has to be calmly accepted. “Santosha” is 
related to two other dharmic virtues: non-stealing (asteya) and 
compassion (daya). 
•• A few people mistakenly believe that “santosha” is about 
depriving ourselves of everything. Nothing can be further from 
the truth. This dharmic virtue only encourages people to be 
balanced in their pursuit of desires. It never teaches that a 
person should stay away from seeking things. “Santosha” urges 
people to develop the wisdom to recognize unnecessary desires 
and to strive to overcome them. 
•• Hindu Dharma emphasizes that the sense of satisfaction a 
person derives from the fulfillment of worldly desires is just 
temporary. It is not the same as the noble virtue we are 
discussing. 
•• “Santosha” is happiness directly resulting from wisdom. It’s 
in no way connected to sensual pleasures. These people are 
overall content with their lives, even if some external 
circumstances are seemingly unpleasant. In this regard, this 
virtue can be treated as a synonym of equanimity. 
•• When a person practices “santosha” with patience and 
perseverance, it won’t take too long for them to reach the state 
of “genuine bliss.” They will be able to experience peace within 
themselves. These people realize that true joy does not depend 
on external factors.
•• If people want to progress spiritually, “santosha” has to be 
integrated into their everyday lives. It’s only a mind that is free 
from desires that can experience life-changing spiritual truths. 
•• “Santosha” enables a person to understand and accept their 
limitations, and not get overly concerned about that. They very 
quickly identify things that are not meant for them; this is 
accepted with equanimity. 
•• Cultivating “santosha” is imperative for people who want to 
be happy with the things they already possess. “Santosha” frees 
a person from the unwanted pattern of comparing with others 
and experiencing low self-esteem. 
•This element becomes even more relevant in this age of social 
media. Comparisons made with people on social media 
platforms who present curated versions of their lives are causing 
serious psychological issues like depression. Many vulnerable 
profiles think, “except for us, the lives of all others are smooth 
and joyous.” But when “Santosha” is made a part of our 
existence, we remain unaffected by such social media content. 
•• When a person embraces “contentment,” as elaborated in 
Hinduism, they will be in a position to discharge their various 
social, familial, and professional responsibilities. 
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