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1) In this case certainly the notion of sacredness cannot preclude
consumption of a said sacred entity. Unless of course
Mr. Chandran would insist that man cannot eat trees or plants
which would simply disallow farming altogether.
2) Second Mr. Chandra says that it is all symbolic. If it is
symbolic, then why bother applying it to "real" cows ?
Let me express my thanks to Shri. Kunal Singh for his two valid and
interesting questions. The question about cow being sacred was asked to
ascertain whether it is prohibited in the Hindu religion to kill or
consume cows. It is my opinion that Hindu Scriptures do not
specifically prohibit killing or consuming cows. There appears to be
a misunderstanding about the meaning of ‘Sacred.' Traditional temples
do distribute "sacred Prasad" after worship. Prasad includes sacred
water, sacred fruits, sacred cooked food. In some remote Indian
villages, animals are sacrificed to the temple god and sacred meat is
also distributed after worship. All these sacred items are consumed by
the temple visitors. In my article, I do not indicate ‘sacred' to mean
‘to be excluded for consumption!' It is my opinion that ‘sacred' means
that those items are the gifts of ‘GOD' and hence should be shared by
all living beings! In addition, such sacred items need to be preserved
for the consumption of the future generation! I remember the famous
quotation: " The world has more than enough resources for everyone's
needs but not enough for one man's greed!" I believe that vegetarianism
was influenced more by Buddhism and Jainism than by Hinduism. Hinduism
gives full freedom to individuals to choose whatever they want to eat.
In my article I have not said that it is all symbolic. I only suggest
that Hinduism ascertains that all resources are the gifts of mother
nature. Majority of Hindus appear to consider ‘cows' as part of their
family and hence do not want to consume. Those who eat chickens may not
like to eat their pet chickens. People who eat ‘flesh' are not likely
to eat flesh from their pet animals! I honestly do not know what is
‘real' and what is ‘unreal?' I remember a story that I read about
Swami Vivekananda. He was once visiting someone's house for dinner.
After dinner the host asked Swami Vivekananda that why Hindus worship
the stones (stone images.) Swami Vivekananda immediately asked the host
what is the picture hanging on the wall. The host enthusiastically
replied that the picture represents his great-grandfather. Swami
Vivekananda immediately removed the picture and threw it on the floor
and began to step over it. The host was extremely mad and scolded for
his attempt to step over his grandfather! At that time Swami asked the
host what is wrong in stepping over a framed paper! The host got the
subtle message of the symbolism!
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