The following is borrowed from the Varati homepage

The Varati believe that each vara is supported by several foundation stones and that if these foundation stones are removed, the entire vara will collapse. Each foundation stone is key to the strength of the vara, allowing it to withstand the test of time. In a similar way, Atarism is built on several foundation stones or principals called surahs after the foundation stones upon which a vara depends.

1) Honor: The Varati sense of honor is a powerful driving force within the culture and its roots can be seen within Atarism. Atarians preach that one must always honor Khalid Atar and oneself. Through performing honorable acts, Khalid Atar is shown homage, for his followers are a direct reflection upon himself. This is why those who act dishonorably in Varati culture are heavily ostracized, if not worse. It is this sense of honor that has helped formulate the kshatri's own personal code of conduct in warfare; they may be devious and cunning, but they are rarely cruel.

2) Duty: Hand in hand with the concepts of honor and pride, duty to Khalid Atar and the Varati is a central principal in Atarism. All Varati feel they have a duty to their God and King, Khalid Atar, and therefore live their lives in an attempt to fulfill this duty. They believe if they serve well enough, they may rise to the next caste or gain further spiritual enlightenment in the next life.

3) Pride: The Varati are instructed from an early age to be prideful of their place in the world. The Varati are the chosen of Khalid Atar, the favored people of the world and the instruments of his will. And as such, they take great pride in their existence. And even though non-Varati do not stand on the same level as Varati in most cases, they too take pride in their status as Atarians when they have converted. It is better than being the non-believers (kafir) that the others of the world are. In past times, the Atarvani preached such extreme pride that many Varati turned to arrogance, especially during the Reign of Fire. These flames of arrogance were stoked by the Atarvani during that era and some say it was the cause for the downfall of the Varati at the end of their four hundred-year rule. In recent days, the Atarvani have put forward the concept of pride, yet cautioned against hubris, which they describe as the root cause of the end of the Reign of Fire and the principal evil of the Empyreans. No self-respecting Varati would ever wish to be compared to the feathered ganikas, and therefore many strive to be prideful of their heritage and position in life, yet to make sure it does not overrule their judgment.

4) Achievement: Glory is sought by the Varati as a way to prove their faith and devotion to their God and King, Khalid Atar. Most castes seek to achieve something of importance in their lifetime - ranging to victories in battle by the kshatri to great works of art by the vaisyas. Some of the greatest Varati achievements have come through the overwhelming desire to fulfill this part of the Atarian chodana.

5) Wisdom: Strong of soul, strong of blade, Khalid Atar also demands his followers be strong of mind. It is said that devotion to this surah was very much lacking at the end of the Reign of Fire, while the surah of pride waxed to unprecedented levels in the Varati kingdom. The Atarvani preach that the Varati will only gain true and eternal dominance over the world when all surahs are balanced in an apex of understanding and that this surah is the key to that understanding. Wisdom in action and deed is a necessity for an Atarian to properly serve their lord and god.

6) Compassion: Another surah that was somewhat forgotten at the end of the Reign of Fire, the Atarvani teach their followers that compassion must be given to all sentient beings. Atarians firmly believe that all races are the children of Khalid Atar, subjects to his will, regardless of whether they believe in him or not. Those foolish enough not to walk in his steps are simply misguided, yet they are not forgotten by their god and when the Age of Glory unites all the races under the benevolent rule of the God-King, the lost children will be accepted once more, albeit in a less honored role than the eternally faithful Varati and fellow Atarians.

7) Respect: Each Atarian is expected to respect both one's betters and one's inferiors. Much in the same way Khalid Atar expects the respect of all creation, he in turn shows his respect to the universe in his deeds and actions - benevolently leading, guiding and aiding those who follow him properly. In that same manner, respect is demanded by the higher castes from the lower castes and the lower castes are entitled to be treated with some level of decency, if not equality, from those above their own station. This surah is even extended to non-Atarians, as many of the other surahs are, albeit a bit grudgingly. Those among the kafir who are wise enough to respect a Varati can often expect to be respected in kind, if only because it would stain the honor of that Varati to treat the other in a lesser fashion and would disobey the principals of the seventh surah. In addition, the elderly are accorded respect for a lifetime of service to their god and kingdom, as well as their perceived wisdom.

8) Devotion: As can be expected, Atarians must give their full devotion to their god and king above all else. Besides daily prayers and weekly attendance to temples of Khalid Atar, Atarians must give a portion of their wealth to their lord. Other signs of devotion are welcome and many show their fealty to the Lord of Fire in ceremonies, battles or endeavors. Regardless, devotion to Khalid Atar alone is a key element to Atarism.

9) Self-Reliance: The Varati are harsh, fierce people who have survived the deserts and mountains of Aether. In doing so, they have been forged from the fires of the world into a strong nation. The God-King looks down on those who have forgotten this heritage and demands that the Varati rely on their own strength and prowess to survive, so as to not become decadent and lazy in their might. Each caste has a mission in life and they must depend on themselves to accomplish this task.

10) Propagation: As the chosen people of Khalid Atar, Atarians are expected to enlarge their number, for there are many kafir and they are a constant threat to the heart of the Atarian people - the Varati kingdom itself. In order to adequately defend their homeland and to grow in strength and ability, the Atarvani encourage families to have more children. With the system of multiple wives to a single man, this surah has helped sustain the Varati as the largest racial group on Aether, with the possible exception of the mongrels, despite their numerous wars.