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Re: Any validation for vegetarianism in Hinduism
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To: alt-hindu@cis.ohio-state.edu
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Subject: Re: Any validation for vegetarianism in Hinduism
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From: susarla@owlnet.rice.edu (Hari Krishna Susarla)
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Date: Fri, 09 Jun 95 14:59:22 GMT
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From news@larry.rice.edu Fri Jun 9 11: 49:04 1995
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Newsgroups: alt.hindu
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Organization: Rice University, Houston, Texas
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References: <3r83qi$hue@ucunix.san.uc.edu>
In article <3r83qi$hue@ucunix.san.uc.edu>, psagdeo@aol.com (Psagdeo) wrote:
>The reference to Geeta (9.26) is a bit of a stretch. The good Lord says
>in that verse that whatever you offer him with complete faith and
>devotion, he will accept. It does not preclude other more precious
>things, nor does it refer to only edible offerings. (We don't necessarily
>eat all kinds of leaves, fruits, and flowers!)
Krishna does not say here that He will accept anything. You are right in
saying that it does not only refer to edibles. But part of being devoted to
Krishna means that you only offer those things that He will accept. For
example, Krishna would never accept meat, alcohol, or other foods in the mode
of ignorance or passion. In the Bhagavatam there are descriptions of the kinds
of foods Krishna accepts, and a devotee, knowing that Krishna likes these
things, would try to prepare similar preparations rather than speculating.
9.26 includes general classes of things Krishna accepts -- fruits, leaves,
etc. If Krishna would have accepted meat, then He would have said so.
>indolence. On the other hand, people performing work with their hands and
>especially those working in the defense of the country, are encouraged to
>eat foods that will, once again, promote the tendencies that require
>strength, endurance and in general, higher level of excitement. The
In that case, they should avoid meat. Everyone knows meat-eating is unhealthy.
Gita 17.9 says that meat is tamasa-- in the mode of darkness. Such foods
reduce the quality and duration of life. There are also medical studies
proving that vegetarians have better endurance than carnivores. Not to mention
the fact that a vegetarian diet is easier to digest, and shows a great deal
more compassion towards other living creatures.
>worrior class, particularly, were known to eat meat in ancient times. The
>Mahabharata is full of references to meats of exotic birds being served to
>both armies.
That is just speculation. I don't deny the fact that members of the warrior
class, when out in the wilderness or faced with food shortages MIGHT have
resorted to eating meat. That is fine. There are regulations for that. But
that is NOT an endorsement for casual consumption of meat. I think you will
find that when saintly characters take meat in the scriptures, it's usually
for survival.
Actually, though, I would like to see authorized translations of the
scriptures which describe these meat-eating incidents. I suspect that some of
these may be mistranslations, based on the translator's bias. I know for
example, that the Bible was supposed to have been mistranslated in several
places where words for 'food' and 'nourishment' became translated as 'meat.'
When Srila Prabhupada came to the U.S., he upheld Vaisnava customs inspite of
encouragement from the New York Ramakrishna society that he should take meat
and liquor and stop wearing saffron robes. Prabhupada proved that one can live
on vegetarian foodstuffs alone, and quite well in fact, so there should be no
excuses from people who say "i'm living in the US, I need meat." Prabhupada's
vegetarian preparations were so delicious that he easily attracted people away
from the meat-eating habit.
>plain common sense, compassion and based on the fact that vegetarian
>foods, when consumed properly, provide all the nutrition necessary. Why
>kill an animal if there are plenty of other equally good, and I might add
>tasty, treats available?
>
True.
>I should also add that the ban on cow slaughter is not based on religion.
>It is based on the dictate of Vishugupta Chanakya, the prime minister of
>Chandrgupta. All Chanakya said was that the cow is an extremely useful
>animal and therefore asked people not to kill it, but use its products
>during (milk, oxen, manure) and after (skin, bones) its normal life.
If I remember correctly, there are prohibitions either in the Mahabharata or
Manu-samhita against cow-killing. It is stated that one who kills a cow will
be reborn in the material world to suffer once for each hair on that cow. I
invite more knowledgeable netters to provide specific references.
Also, there is a sloka in the Vishnu Purana that goes as follows:
namo brahmanya devaya
go brahmana hitaya ca
jagad-ditaya krsnaya
govindaya namo namah
This verse specifically states that Krishna is the protector of the cows and
the brahmanas. Cows are especially revered in Vedic culture. They are
considered to be one of mankind's seven natural mothers because they provide
milk. One who kills cows is comitting a grave offense against Krishna, because
cows are very dear to Him.
Respectfully,
-- HKS
