06/09/2026
“Steya” means stealing and “a” means “not”. Asteya अस्तेय translates to non-stealing. It is the third yama यम; ethical conducts with the outside world, of which the yamas are the first limb of astanga yoga अष्टाङ्गयोग (eight limbs of yoga).
Asteya refers to non stealing of tangible items (physical objects) as well as intangible items such as other people’s ideas etc. It also teaches that we should not use something other than for the purpose that it was intended, and take only as much as we need, and not surplus.
By not stealing from others, we do not long for what they have, and instead value their time, presence, and attention. By not stealing from the earth, and the future, we respect and hold gratitude towards our surrounding environment and all living beings in it. By not stealing from ourselves, and shifting our focus towards ourselves and our own growth, we create an expansion and readiness for the possibilities that we want.
Observing asteya अस्तेय allows us to attract wealth and opportunities. Patanjali’s yoga sūtras, chapter 2, śloka (verse) 37 states:
“Asteyapratiṣṭhāyām sarvaratnopasthānam.”
अस्तेयप्रतिष्ठायां सर्वरत्नोपस्थानम्
Which translates to:
“To one established in non-stealing, all wealth comes.”
Directing energy inward, rather than outward, creates space for abundance.
