6 grave sins that are never forgiven in Hinduism

One of the oldest religions in the world is Hinduism. Hinduism is also hailed as one of the most spiritual religions in the world, and has given the world many different philosophies and teachings. And like any other religion, there are concepts of good deeds and sins that guide Hindus in their moral life. And while there are so many virtues to uphold, there are also certain sins, referred to as ‘Paap’, that are considered particularly grave and harmful for the person’s karma.

Here we list 6 grave sins that are never forgiven in Hinduism.

Hinsa, or violence, is considered to be one of the greatest sins in Hinduism and for this there is no forgiving. Hinsa in any form, be it physical harm to any living being, or mental and emotional harm to anyone, human or animal, is considered sinful.
The principle of ahimsa, or non-violence, is deeply ingrained in Hindu traditions and teaching and all Hindu gurus and intellectuals have preached the policy of ahimsa. Acts such as killing, injuring, or even speaking harshly to others are considered grave sins that can have bad effects on someone’s karma.

Adharma or going against righteousness, moral order, or natural law is another grave sin according to Hindu philosophers. Adharma equates to acts of dishonesty, betraying someone, exploiting the poor, needy, or any living being, and injustice against others.
In Hinduism, dharma, or righteousness, is one of the most important things to uphold and it guides people to lead a virtuous life. Any deviation from dharma is considered to be a serious sin that is capable of ruining the peace of the person affected. Adharma not just harms people but also disturbs the balance of the universe. The sin of Adharma is unforgivable and leads to accumulation of bad karma.

According to Hindu intellectuals, steya, or theft, is another grave sin. Steya includes, but is not limited to, taking away what rightfully belongs to another person without their consent. This could be in the form of stealing material possessions, someone’s intellectual property, or even someone's time or dignity.
Hindu scriptures, from different time frames, emphasise the importance of being honest and living with integrity. And so, stealing is seen as a direct violation of these values and becomes an unforgivable sin.

Pishuna, which refers to being wicked and envious towards others, is another significant sin in Hinduism. When a Hindu feels discontent or resentment towards someone who is more successful, has more possessions, or qualities as compared to others, he or she commits a sin. It is always said that envy and wicked nature stems from a lack of happiness in our own life and this is an indication that the person lacks gratitude for their own blessings. And so, any envy that stems from unhealthy comparison and jealousy leads to negative thoughts and actions which make for grave sins.
In Hinduism, it is very important for people to develop and encourage good qualities. Being content, generous and compassionate towards other beings is of utmost importance and envy does not develop any such qualities in people. And so, it is considered a grave, unforgivable sin.

The idea of ‘Maaya’, or illusion, is one that has always been shunned in Hindu philosophy. Popularly used by saying ‘Moh Maaya’, that is, ‘love and attachment for illusion’, Hindus are strictly taught to never fall in the trap of ‘Maaya’ for it is a sinking ship. It is believed that falling prey to maaya leads to ignorance, attachment to the worldly, and a distorted perception of reality. ‘Maaya’ makes people believe that all is going to go good for them if they satisfy and please their indulgence and extravagance. But, Hinduism teaches the importance of rising above maaya through self-realisation and spiritual practice.

In Hinduism, a guru (teacher) is placed on the same level as God himself. Such is the importance of a Guru in hindu philosophy. And so, Guru droh, or betrayal of the teacher, is considered one of the most grave sins in Hinduism. The guru, be it an academic teacher or a spiritual teacher, plays the most important role in a person’s life. Be it teaching them the art of living or securing marks in exams, it is only a Guru who does it all.
Betraying the trust and teachings of one's guru is seen as a grave sin that not only dishonours the relationship but also gives rise to negative energies between the two. In Hindu tradition, the bond between a guru and disciple is sacred, and thus going against this bond by betraying the teacher is believed to bring the wrath of the Gods in this life and the afterlife.