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Re: Animal slaughter in the RigVeda
Dear friends:
the post by Dhruba on this topic prompted me to write this note.
The topic of"animal slaughter" and "Beef eating in the Vedas" has a
history. It is common knowledge that one of the reasons for the so called
"sepoy mutiny"(the first freedom fight) in 1857 was the fact that beef
tallow was used in the ammunition catridges. From that time onwards, the
British were anxious to find methods of lowering the reverence that
Hindus have for the Cow.With this ulterior motive, they encouraged
European and Indian "scholars" to "find" evidence of beef eating in the
Vedas. The first article entitled "Beef in Ancient India" was published
by on Rajendra Lal Mitra in 1872, fifteen years after the mutiny, in the
Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. Many Indian pandits who could
have refuted the validity of that article were unaware of its
publication. Later, when Gandhiji had taken up the protection of cows in
the "GO-Raksha" movement, the same essay was published in the form of a
booklet by one Swami Bhoomamand. Again in the late fifties and sixties,
when the Gorakhpur press started publishing and distributing
Bhagavadgita, a fresh reprint of the same booklet was published by the
Manisha Granthalaya pvt. Ltd. of Calcutta. Many copies of this booklet
were distributed free, it is not known who the benefactor behind this
"charity" was. Some other scholars such as Kane and Apte have also tried
to justify meat eating and beef eating in the Vedas. Such people were
recognized and honored by the British Government and the shameful
practice continued by the Congress government. From time to time,
articles have appeared in english favoring beef eating(Illustrated Weekly
of India, May 1983) referring to misinterpreted passages from the
scriptures. People who are not well versed in sanskrit and who have no
direct knowledge of the scriptures are easily misled by such
articles.Some think it is a sign of "broadmindedness"and even
"progress"to eat meat. and justify by saying that the ancient Vedic
society was not so "conservative".
In order to justify their conclusions these scholars quote half a dozen
verses from among the more than 100000 riks; about a dozen from various
puranas and itihasas and smr^tis. In the case of latter, the quotes are
questionable as interpolations, and the vedic references are taken out of
context and given meanings which can not be supported by logic grammar,
or etymology. Still the drum beating goes on. I appeal to persons like
Dhruba to reconsider their opinions in the light of evidence. For those,
who feel hurt by such untruths about the Vedas, I appeal: do not resort
to angry attacks. Present your case with information and logic. For
others, take up a study of sanskrit and learn for yourself the infinite
truths. It is not easy. But just donot spread misrepresentations.
Regards, Narahari Achar
