“O Dharmanandana! all the above are good. But Ahimsa (non violence) is best of all.” said Brihaspati and went away.
“O grandisre Bhishma! everybody says that Ahimsa is best of all. Kindly enlighten me about Ahimsa.” asked Dharmaja.
Bhishma said thus: “O Dharmaja! To tell in one word, all dharmas are embodied in Ahimsa. Ahimsa had four legs. Even if one leg limps, Dharma goes out of control. Violence means hurting killing animals for consuming meat. Consuming meat amounts to violence. If one avoids consuming meat, it amounts to nonviolence.” said Bhishma
“O Grandsire! Generally meat is used during Pitru ceremonies. Unless animals are killed, how can they get meat. Does it not amount to violence against animals?” asked Dharmaja.
“Giving up eating meat is equal to performing Asvamedha Yaga. Killing or getting the animals killed only for eating amounts to great sin.
But during Pitara ceremonies, Yagas, animals may be killed according to Veda rituals. There is no wrong. But only for the sake of taste and filling the belly, animals shall not be killed. It is a great sin. Giving up consuming meat itself is a Tapassu.
The taste of meat is greater than all eatables. If one gives up eating meat, he will be eqivalent to divine bodies. Unless the animals are killed, one cannot get meat. While killing animals, if the killer receives any injury, the he suffers with pain . The killer should realise that the animals to be killed also suffer with the same pain. Without such realisation, killing animals amounts to great sin. Therefore, animals shall not be killed only for the sake of eating tasty meat. If human beings avoid eating meat, the animals move safely.
Saint Markandeya said that the person who eats meat is equivalent to Rakshasa. After giving up eating meat only, divine bodies attained divinity. We do not know whether one can attain brahma loka if he performs Tapas and charities, but if one gives up eating meant, he certainly attains Brahmaloka.” said Bhishma.
“O grandsire Bhishma! knowing fully well that killing animals for the sake of meat is a sin, why people are craving for meat instead of vegetables and fruits.” asked Dharmaja.
Bhisham smiled and said: “O Dharmaja! Once human being addicts to the taste of meat, it is very difficult to avoid meat. Why because, eating meat improves vitality and vigour during sexual acts. Meat gives instant energy. Eating meat heals wounds quickly. Other eatables and fruits do not have such qualities. Consuming meat during Yajnas,Yagas and Pitara ceremonies is not wrong.
Saint Agasthya also said that hunting is the dharma of Kshatriyas. Using that meat during Pitara ceremonies and Deva rituals is quite common. But killing animals and consuming meat for the sake of taste and also to improve his vigour and vitality is wrong. It is a fact that the sin afflicted by eating flesh vanishes by making charities, on condition that he shall not consume meat from then onwards. Then only he gets rid of that sin.
A kind hearted person beholds the fear of death in the eyes of the animal being killed. Hence he never eats meat. Such person attains divinity. If humans are kind towards animals, animals also reciprocate the same kindness towards humans. If humans are cruel towards animals, same attitude will be reciprocated. Therefore, avoiding killing animals for the sake of meat is great dharma.” said Bhishma.
“O grandisre Bhishma! everybody says that Ahimsa is best of all. Kindly enlighten me about Ahimsa.” asked Dharmaja.
Bhishma said thus: “O Dharmaja! To tell in one word, all dharmas are embodied in Ahimsa. Ahimsa had four legs. Even if one leg limps, Dharma goes out of control. Violence means hurting killing animals for consuming meat. Consuming meat amounts to violence. If one avoids consuming meat, it amounts to nonviolence.” said Bhishma
“O Grandsire! Generally meat is used during Pitru ceremonies. Unless animals are killed, how can they get meat. Does it not amount to violence against animals?” asked Dharmaja.
“Giving up eating meat is equal to performing Asvamedha Yaga. Killing or getting the animals killed only for eating amounts to great sin.
But during Pitara ceremonies, Yagas, animals may be killed according to Veda rituals. There is no wrong. But only for the sake of taste and filling the belly, animals shall not be killed. It is a great sin. Giving up consuming meat itself is a Tapassu.
The taste of meat is greater than all eatables. If one gives up eating meat, he will be eqivalent to divine bodies. Unless the animals are killed, one cannot get meat. While killing animals, if the killer receives any injury, the he suffers with pain . The killer should realise that the animals to be killed also suffer with the same pain. Without such realisation, killing animals amounts to great sin. Therefore, animals shall not be killed only for the sake of eating tasty meat. If human beings avoid eating meat, the animals move safely.
Saint Markandeya said that the person who eats meat is equivalent to Rakshasa. After giving up eating meat only, divine bodies attained divinity. We do not know whether one can attain brahma loka if he performs Tapas and charities, but if one gives up eating meant, he certainly attains Brahmaloka.” said Bhishma.
“O grandsire Bhishma! knowing fully well that killing animals for the sake of meat is a sin, why people are craving for meat instead of vegetables and fruits.” asked Dharmaja.
Bhisham smiled and said: “O Dharmaja! Once human being addicts to the taste of meat, it is very difficult to avoid meat. Why because, eating meat improves vitality and vigour during sexual acts. Meat gives instant energy. Eating meat heals wounds quickly. Other eatables and fruits do not have such qualities. Consuming meat during Yajnas,Yagas and Pitara ceremonies is not wrong.
Saint Agasthya also said that hunting is the dharma of Kshatriyas. Using that meat during Pitara ceremonies and Deva rituals is quite common. But killing animals and consuming meat for the sake of taste and also to improve his vigour and vitality is wrong. It is a fact that the sin afflicted by eating flesh vanishes by making charities, on condition that he shall not consume meat from then onwards. Then only he gets rid of that sin.
A kind hearted person beholds the fear of death in the eyes of the animal being killed. Hence he never eats meat. Such person attains divinity. If humans are kind towards animals, animals also reciprocate the same kindness towards humans. If humans are cruel towards animals, same attitude will be reciprocated. Therefore, avoiding killing animals for the sake of meat is great dharma.” said Bhishma.
No comments:
Post a Comment