Satya

Since discrimination or intuition, buddhi, is clouded by any untruthfulness, utter truthfulness is necessary for making clear the spiritual path. Truthfulness also prevents the complications arising as more and greater lies have to be told to cover up a first, even minor, lie. These complications cause strain in the mind and are the basis for emotional disturbance. Any quest for reality necessitates a straightforward life and harmony with the law of truth to provide the necessary inner tranquillity, when the mind mirrors the divine reality.

One of the five moral qualities or virtues of yama (restraint), together comprising the "great vow", the first component of the eightfold path of yoga. One of the five great vows – mahavrata – of Jainism.