Arjava
() literally means sincerity, straightness, and non-hypocrisy. It is one of the ten  in ancient Hindu and Jaina texts. Definition
 means straightness, sincerity, and harmony in one’s thought, words, and actions towards oneself and towards others. Kane translates  as straightforwardness. It is described in ancient Indian texts as “self-restraint from hypocrisy", and "the absence of hypocrisy”. It is included as one of several virtuous restraints in an individual's path to spirituality. The Maharashtrian poet Vāmana in Avigita, at xvi.1, posits  is a form of honesty and purity in a person, and an essential virtue so that one may treat everyone equally, whether that other is one’s child, wife, relative, friend, a stranger, or someone hostile or oneself without any discrimination. The ethical concept of  is synonymous with  (, composite word from ). also means non-deceitful, straightforwardness, and sincerity. It is listed as a virtue in the Indian Epics. Literature
 is one of the ten  listed by Śāṇḍilya Upanishad, as well as by Svātmārāma. The other nine are:
  (): nonviolence
  (): truthfulness
  (): not stealing
  (): celibacy and not cheating on one’s spouse
  (): forgiveness
  (): fortitude
  (): compassion
  (): measured diet
  (): purity, cleanliness

In some texts, such as by Adi Sankara, this virtue is called as , and explained as purity of motive and freedom of mind from hypocrisy, both in one’s social conduct and within oneself where one’s thoughts, words, and actions resonate. It is a virtue that empowers one to act and live without anxiety, anger, prejudice, inner conflict, or confusion. It is also discussed in Bhagwad Gita in verse 17.16. The Mahābhārata, in book 12, chapter 60, lists  (non-hypocrisy) as a virtue along with  (non-anger),  (forgiveness), and others. In chapter 278, the epic explains how and why hypocrisy arises, suggesting that it derives from the sin of covetousness, greed, and attachment to superficial possessions. Patanjali's treatise on Yoga lists only five , which includes non-covetousness and non-possessiveness ( and  respectively), but does not include . 