Withvenison obtained from those deer that are called Prishata, they remain gratified for eight months, and with that obtained from the Ruru for nine months, and withthe meat of the Gavayafor ten months. One of the claims that is made to justify eating beef is that Hinduism is a diverse religion and there is nothing wrong if some people eat beef. Letthis cow(aghnya)yield milk for the two Asvins, and may she grow for greater prosperity. Other religions, such as Christianity, also have dietary restrictions, but beef is not . Not at all. because it is a SIN and an IMPIETY (Rijss). So much so that even if people know little about Hinduism as a religion, they well may be convinced that Hindus don't eat meat as a rule. According to Manusmriti above, it is not sinful to eat meat. All cows are venerated in Hinduism as the earthly embodiment of the Kamadhenu. Is eating egg a sin in Hinduism? Is Ashok Swain banned from entering India after Modi govt cancelled his OCI card? This is interpreted by Sayana Acharya as follows: You (O Indra), eat the cattle offered as oblations belonging to the worshippers who cook them for you., Acharya Sayana explicitly mentions about sacrificing a bull in the introduction to Atharvaveda 9/4/1 as follows, The Brahman after killing the bull, offers its meat to the different deities. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The biggest accusation of cattle and cow slaughter comes in the context of the Yajnas that derived their names from different cattle like the Ashwamedh Yajna, the Gomedha Yajna and the Nar-medh Yajna. It is simply this: the ability to digest milk as adults gives those Indians with the gene mutation an option to substitute milk for meat or fish as a source of animal protein, which many of them seem to have taken. So, he will ensure that such theieves are punished. In the time of the oldest Hindu sacred text , the Rig Veda (c. 1500 BC), cow meat was consumed . Clearly there can be no doubt that meat of all kinds was extensively used in sacrifice rituals to please ones fathers who had died. Hinduism gives us the wisdom to make up our own mind on what we put in our body except there is a firm prohibition of eating cow meat (beef). I will be quoting those verses of this hymn which directly prove that a horse was sacrificed and consumed. And only society, together, can find a solution. Instead the Yajurveda clearly mentions that a horse ought not to be slaughtered. We ate Misal Pav. Kerala Hindus eat beef. Do not kill cows and bulls who always deserve to be protected. So, by avoiding such things like onion and garlic Brahmins believed that this was their step towards attaining peace. This is a common response of half-baked Hindus, who have negligible knowledge of Hindu scriptures. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Why is beef prohibited in Hinduism? What happens if a Hindu eats beef? That is also the book which introduced caste system and treated women as slaves. Hinduism is a diverse religion, with no central authority and with multiple scriptures and holy texts. That tactic is used even today. Dhvara means an act with himsa or violence. As you can see this is actually a prayer by a selfish person asking his firegod Agni not to harm his own horses but to harm the wild animals, in this case a rhinocerous. According to Yaska Acharyas Nirukt, the word has two meanings as follows: Aghnya means not fit to be killedor destroyer of sins. The goal of the individual soul is moksha. Killing an animal is just a sin. But those who make the division otherwise are like scoundrels and miscreants who kill an animal merely., This division of the sacrificial animal was invented by Rishi Devabhaaga, a son of Srauta. It is in no way a prohibition on slaughtering a cow for food. The Muslim and Hindu reasons for not eating pork and beef respectively are very different, though. Milk also goes beyond religion: Ghee spread on flatbread can be a special treat for the poor; buttermilk is a popular summer drink to soothe the stomach. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Thus the argument of the polemicist turns out to be a deception aimed at fooling those who have no access to the original texts. Is eating Beef a sin || Hinduism about Cow || Iam Praveen Kumar1. The Hindu reverence of cattleparticularly the cowis well-known. If someone knows a person who likes to kill exotic animals for sport, are we to start justifying the act altogether? In Rigveda, the clearest mention of Ashwamedha is made in Mandal 1 Sookt 162. All of India's most widely practiced religions have dietary laws and traditions. The Aghnya cows which are not to be killed under any circumstances may keep themselves healthy by use of pure water and green grass, so that we may be endowed with virtues, knowledge and wealth. The non-vegetarian food allowed is restricted to fish and meat. Consider that chicken owner saying, if anyone will harm MY chicken, I will punish him. I agree that a meaning of Aghnya is not fit to be killed, however, this does not tell us the entire story. Why was beef not allowed in ancient India? However, talking about personal non-negotiables is essential because it is out of those personal opinions that a societal opinion is crafted. A king called Rantidev is mentioned in the Vana Parv, section 207 as well as section 199, as follows, 7 , 8 , And in days of yore, O Brahmana, two thousand animals used to be killed every day in the kitchen of king Rantideva; and in the same manner two thousand cows were killed every day; and, O best of regenerate beings, king Rantideva acquired unrivalled reputation by distributing food with meat every day.. The cow is a gift, rather the milk it has to offer humankind is a gift. These religions have a lot of dietary restrictions, one of which is not eating beef. Hinduism is a living, breathing religion. Copyright 2022. The taste of chai (sweet and milky) helps disguise the stronger and more bitter flavours of some of the medicinal additives, while others such as cardamom, clove and ginger add a pleasing flavour and aroma to the tea along with health benefits. Considering all the evidences presented in this article, insisting that cows and other animals are not meant for food will be illogical. If you are a hindu and eat beef, the day when you feel guilty of eating it . What does religion say about eating meat? Reply . Hinduism is a monotheistic religion, which means that all gods and goddesses are worshipped in the same way. He makes sure that no one steals any chicken from his farm to kill them, even though chicken are meant for food. Also, there is threat from many animals who might eat the chicken when he is unaware. Even on a simple reading of this mantra, one cannot conlude that it is prohibiting killing cows for food. These excerpts presented by him clearly point towards the fact that beef-eating was something that was introduced later. There are a large number of such usage of Adhvara in the Vedas. Cows in ancient Indian history In the time of the oldest Hindu sacred text, the . What Havi (oblation), again, (if offered) lasts for all time? The horse is associated with the Sun, and its yearly course. While many Hindus do not eat beef and prefer to view the cow as highly regarded, Hindus do not worship the cow as a holy entity. Injuring or killing of cow was prohibited in the Vedic period. The cow is a gift, rather the milk it has to offer humankind is a gift. The calf is the world longing for the rain to fall. Is this general or specific? However, when we look at those mantras, we find that they are again quoted out of context. It denotes an act done in accordance to the intellect Alternatively it could mean consolidation, as evident from the root meaning of medha i.e. Most Hindus are vegetarian. I would say that is not the case. Let the wild rhinocerous be harmed by you. Again, this verse explicitly proves the belief of the Vedic people that the sacrificial horse did not actually die but was trasported to noble heavenly worlds. Who does not know that the Sacrifice (Yajna) and the Sacrificer (Yajmaan) are two different things. The remaining limbs, O king, of that horse, were poured into the fire by the sixteen sacrificial priests possessed of great wisdom. The King then asks him if he will maintain the customs and rules of the other Nayres (Nairs), and he and his kinsmen respond Yes. Then the King commands him to gird on his right side a sword with a red sheath, and when it is girt on he causes him to approach near to himself and la, his right hand on his head, saying therewith certain words which none may hear, seemingly a prayer, and then embraces him saying Paje Gubrantarca, that is to say Protect cows and Bramenes (Brahmins), A similar oath was made by the most powerful Nair kings of Kerala, the Samuthiris or Zamorins of Calicut before their royal coronation, At Yagneswaram he is met by Vemaneheri Namputiri, a descendant of Melattur Agnihotri. For example, Sutra 158 of the same chapter says, Meat of a peacock, patridge, rooster, goose, swine, camel, donkey, cow and buffalo is beneficial for developing ones body.. Thus people trying to twist the mantras have no ground to stand on except deceit and fraud. That's the principle of Sanathana Dharma. Hindu belief says that gods can take many forms. Everyone should strive to achieve dharma. Further in Mimamsa Sutra 3/8/43 it is mentioned, Only the Savaniya cakes should consist of flesh. Do not slaughter this one hoofed animal that neighs and who goes with a speed faster than most of the animals. Beef (cows/calves/bulls) eaters are thus indirectly responsible for cow killing. The cow is a gift, rather the milk it has to offer humankind is a gift. Why certain sects evolved and started eating beef, was there a Mughal influence, and which scriptural context should be followed by all Hindus is something I am neither equipped to comment on, nor it is my place. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. He beautifully traced the Hindu history of Kerala and proved how beef-eating was never a core part of that sect to begin with. ''the Eternal Dharma''), which refers to the idea that its origins lie beyond human history, as revealed in the Hindu texts. For more scholarly explanation that the violence of animals in the Yajna is actually no violence please see the last section of this article namely The testimony of classical scholars. It never has anything to do with conclusions we have reached after careful consideration following a reading of our scriptures. Such questions require satisfactory answers which modern vegetarian Hindus are unable to provide. Commenting on the same Sutra 25 he writes, Scripture declares that the killing of sacrificial animals makes them to go up to the heavenly world, and therefore is not of the nature of harm. Hinduism has many sects, and is sometimes divided into the following: Smarta (followers of Brahman and all major deities) Some Hindus elevate the Hindu trinity, which consists of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The Muslims started it and the Britishers continued it (M.S.Golwalkar,Bunch of Thoughts, Pg 496). Vaisampayana said, Having cooked, according to due rites, the other excellent animals that were sacrificed, the priests then sacrificed, agreeably to the injunctions of the scriptures, that steed (which had wandered over the whole world). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. In fact, my journey was similar. News and opinion website that brings you reports and narrative from a perspective often ignored or suppressed by the mainstream media of India. Gautam Buddha rebelled against this tradition because during his time there was a huge consumption of beef by the priestly class. There is the diversity of beliefs, yes, but one thing that a large part of the Hindu society believes in is that cow is an animal to revere and beef should not be consumed. Can eating beef cause high blood pressure? These could be the reasons why people avoided onion and garlic. Sate (satay) varieties. When I was 4, we moved to a new house and the most predominant image in my memory from that time is how we worshipped a cow before we stepped foot in the house. Eating beef is not a sin but it is preferred if you avoid it. The figure of Shiva as we know him today is an amalgamation of various older deities into a single figure, due to the process of Sanskritization and the emergence of the Hindu synthesis in post-Vedic times. Finding the answers to questions about eating or not eating beef in the Hindu scriptures is an invitation to understand the various points of view from various resources. This 7th century commentator of the Vedas, while commenting on Rigveda 1/1/4 writes, Yajna is good for everyone, and no one is injured. The word Hindu is an exonym, and while Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, many practitioners refer to their religion as Santana Dharma (Sanskrit: , lit. Hindus regard the cow as gentle and inoffensive, much in the same way as most of us view our own pets. The scriptural justification that is often made after that conclusion has already been reached. It went from it is her culinary preference to beef is ok, but cow-meat is not to Hindus should not eat beef, period. Most of such punishments are anecdotal and told through stories and not through scriptures. It was rather going to the world of the gods to enjoy a much better life, quite similar to the explanation given by Swami Prabhupada above. Who cares what they think, they are bunch of genocidal monsters anyways. Just as the taboo against consuming beef is a consequence of upbringing and not scripture reading, similarly, the notion that consuming beef is merely a culinary preference is a consequence of exposure to cosmopolitan influence. Thus he benefits all its limbs. Be the first to rate this post. Even Pandit Devi Chand, an Arya Samaj scholar, who based his English translation of the Yajurveda on Swami Dayanands work is clueless about the exact meaning of this chapter. One example within Mahabharatas scriptural text tells us a great warrior by the name of Bhishma claimed eating the flesh of an animal is like eating the flesh of ones son, bringing abundant disgrace to the fool who eats it. Again it is not a legal prohibition, but rather is a prayer to yiled milk for the Asvins. According to Yaaska Acharya, one of the synonyms of Yajna in Nirukta or the Vedic philology is Adhvara. Sooyavasaad bhagavatee hi bhooyaa atho vayam bhagvantah syaama, Addhi trnamaghnye vishwadaaneem piba shuddhamudakamaacharantee, Rigveda 1.164.40 or Atharv 7.73.11 or Atharv 9.10.20. Why do Hindu not eat beef? As such, Kamadhenu is not worshipped independently as a goddess, and temples are not dedicated to her honor alone; rather, she is honored by the veneration of cows in general throughout the observant Hindu population. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. and the non-vegetarian Hindus rely on Muslim butchers: even the untouchable Hindus who eat beef do not kill a cow, and only eat the flesh of a dead cow. Those who wish to read them can see Shukla Yajurveda Chapter 23; verses 19-31 and the commentary of classical scholars. Even the Vedic references where a cow is called Aghnya cannot in any way be generalized for all the cows. He mentions in Ashtadyayi 3/4/73, The words daasa and goghna areirregularly formedand the affix in these denotesthe idea of the Dative or Recipient.. Are they then not Hindus?. The cow is viewed as a sacred animal so even meat-eating Hindus may not eat beef. This is recorded by Duarte Barbosa, a 16th-century Portuguese writer. The devotion towards the cow and the ban on cow slaughter was not only enforced by the Maratha Empire but other great Hindu kingdoms and Empires as well. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Even this argument is not upto the mark. There are more vegetarians in South India & Gujarat. Hindus who do eat meat, often distinguish all other meat from beef. Bhishma said, With fishesoffered at Sraddhas, the Pitris remain gratified for a period of two months. Performance of this sacrifice depicted the royal granduer. , The liver and the upper quarter belongs to the Shamita Priest ; one should give it to a Brahmana if he be a non-Brahmana., [Shabhar bhasya on Mimamsa Sutra 3/7/28; translated by Ganganath Jha]. Moreover, classical Hindu commentators like Acharya Sayana interpret this verse and the one before it i.e. . . Just because we know someone who is doing something that might be against the basic tenets of Hinduism, doesnt mean that the dogma has to be done away with. Har Har Mahadev. Hindus have a worldwide reputation for being steadfast vegetarians. While I wondered whether I should even eat there or perhaps just stick to my coke, a friend proceeded to order a beef burger. [A Horse Sacrifice], In Vedic times this sacrifice was performed by kings desirous of offspring.. 7. Present the evil spirits with the blood.. But still, if someone would want to harm his chicken unnecessarily, it would mean loss of wealth for him. I will simultaneously refute the common arguments of Hindus. The next argument was that in the Vedas, a cow is called Aghnya meaning not fit to be killed. This statement of the Swami is itself a puzzle, as it gives no clear beneficial knowledge to us. Comment below! According to Manusmriti above, it is not sinful to eat meat. This proves that Shabarbhashya is confirming the Aitareya Brahman and the translation is also accurate. This is not a far fetched conclusion. Shatapath Brahman 1/4/1/40 says, asur dudhr cakruste dudhranta eva na ekurdhrvitu te, For once when the gods were engaged in sacrificing, their rivals, the Asuras, wished to injure (dhvar) them; but, though desirous of injuring them, they were unable to injure them and were foiled:for this reason the sacrifice is called adhvara(not damaged, uninterrupted).. The Shatapatha Brahmana (3.1. To counter such trends, it is imperative that the taboo against beef-eating is strengthened manifold. The cow is viewed as a sacred animal so even meat-eating Hindus may not eat beef. Adi Shankaracharya has written an extensive commentary on the famous Brahma Sutras. To give readers a brief idea of Ashwamedha Yajna, I will briefly mention the entire ritual based on Hindu texts like Katyayana Srauta Sutra, Apastamba Sutra, etc; but I will not mention the obscene portion of the Ashwamedha ritual as it is irrelevant with the topic at hand. The Ashwamedha Parv of Mahabharata, section 89, shlokas 1-5 says, 3 , 5 , . One of the states that is often cited is Kerala. Also unlike other religions which are very prescriptive, Hinduism is descriptive. In Shathapatha, Ashwa is a word for the nation or empire, The word medha does not mean slaughter. In fact, for decades vegetarianism has been one of India's cultural exports. The next argument that Ashwa means a nation or empire, in the reference to Shatapath Brahman is also incorrect. Do you practice Hinduism and adhere to certain dietary regulations concerning the consumption of beef? That means Hinduism suggests that you should not eat beef, but it does not assign a punishment to violators. Hindus who do eat meat, often distinguish all other meat from beef. Shiva has pre-Vedic tribal roots, having "his origins in primitive tribes, signs and symbols." In India, there is some appetite for beef, but it is mostly consumed in northern states. It is performed to please the gods or to attain certain wishes. In the past, several futile attempts have been made by proponents of Hindutva to pass a law to ban the slaughter of cows at the national level. Then they should be able to beget such a son.. To say so will be just an assumption. No force no punishment it's purely your belief and you are the master of your belief. |, ||. Pandit Yudhisthira Mimamsak also confirms this when he says, The division of the meat of the sacrificed animal as instructed in the Aitareya Brahmanclearly proves that during the time of the writing of Aitareya Brahman and the time when it was edited by Saunaka, animals were sacrificed in the Yajnas and their meat was consumed by the Brahmins. However, the later Hindus denied slaughtering animals, especially cows. It must be noted that thePurva Mimamsa Sutras(compiled between 300-200 BCE), written by Rishi Jaimini is one of the most important ancient Hindu philosophical texts. With beef presented at the Sraddha, their gratification, it is said, lasts for a full year. Let me post before you the full mantra to demonstrate my position. What . See Shatapath Brahmana 13/2/2/1-10. Many Buddhists interpret this to mean that you should not consume animals, Commenting on this verse he writes. Hinduism is a diverse religion, with no central authority and with multiple scriptures and holy texts. Scholars have known for centuries that the ancient Indians ate beef. It is a prayer being made to the fire god Agni to protect ones cows from undue harm due to the wrath of the fire god.All cowherds in the world pray to their own god to keep their cows safe from harm, so that they can sell their milk and other dairy products and earn profit. Sovereignty has no value if the nation state finds no expression of it's nationhood. Whether that is a good thing or bad, again depends on how ideologically rooted one is. Nobody can or should give certificates of Hinduism and nobody is a representative of the entire Hindu society. According to Manusmriti above, it is not sinful to eat meat. This goat, the portion of Pushan, fit for all the gods, is brought first with the fleet courser, so that Twashtri may prepare him along with the horse, as an acceptable preliminary offering for the (sacrificial) food. Prohibition for beef eating, therefore, is indigenous. You will be amazed to know that even a Vedic scholar like Swami Dayanand is unable to throw any light on it. There is the story of the great Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who was so enraged by the slaughter of a cow that he attacked Adil Shahi soldiers as a young boy. The horse to be sacrificed is sprinkled with water, and the Adhvaryu and the sacrificer whisper mantras into its ear. The Mahabharata, an impressive resource of Hindu moral law and history, substantially relates meat-eating in a similar view as that of shameful cannibalism. If the horse wanders into neighbouring provinces hostile to the sacrificer, they must be subjugated. However, nothing on the lines of prohibition can be deduced from this verse and other verses where the word Aghnya exists. He cites various texts to assert that the ancient Vedic Aryans - even Brahmins - ate meat of all kinds of animals . Manusmriti (Chapter 5 / Verse 30) says, "It is not sinful to eat the meat of eatable animals, for Brahma has created both the eaters and the eatables." Where the concern of eating beef really belongs is its effect on the human spirit and whether or not eating beef is considered sinful. Rishabh isa bull more advanced in years than an Uksha.. The passage of Shatapath Brahman makes it clear that Adhvar is called so because the priests performing the Yajna did not become victims of violence. I HAVE OMITTED THE OBSCENE PORTION OF THIS YAJNA IN THIS ARTICLE. People are made in God's image and animals are not, but this spiritual difference is not sufficiently morally significant to allow killing animals for food. In a large part of the Hindu society, the taboo against eating beef is such that consuming the meat of a cow could lead to being disowned if people in the family became aware of it. 16), states Nanditha Krishna, condemns all killings of men, cattle and horses, and prays to god Agni to punish those who kill. Economic status, occupational and geographical connections, and religious allegiance also play distinctive parts where dietary choices are concerned. According to them each animal dedicated to a particular diety in this chapter has to be sacrificed to that deity. He writes, A person for whom a cow is slaughtered, is known as goghna and atithi (guest).. That the horse was to be actually immolated and that the body was cut up into fragments is clear ; that these fragments were dressed, partly boiled, and partly roasted, is also undisputable ; and although the expressions may be differently understood, yet there is little reason to doubt that part of the flesh was eaten by the assistants, part presented as a burnt offering to the gods. For this, I would redirect you to an article written by user @dauhshanti. And only society, together, can find a solution. the animal sacrifice), is an act of duty; how then can it be called unholy?But does not the scriptural precept, Do not harm any creature, intimate that to do harm to any being is an act contrary to duty?True, but that is a general rule, while the precept, Let him offer an animal to Agnshomau, embodies an exception; and general rule and exception have different spheres of application. King Yudhishthira the just, with all his younger brothers, then smelled, agreeably to the scriptures, the smoke, capable of cleansing one from every sin, of the marrow that was thus cooked. And now we are told that beef eating is merely a culinary preference. They offer the tail of the animal to wives, but they should give it to a Brahmana; the fleshy processes (maanihah) on the neck and three gristles (kikasaah) to the Grahvastut; three other gristles and one half of the fleshy part on the back (vaikartta) to the Unnetar; the other half of the fleshy part on the neck andthe left lobe (Kloma) to the Slaughterer (Shamita), who should present it to a Brahmana, if he himself would not happen to be a Brahmana. This argument is incorrect because the word Adhvar has been misplaced and interpreted incompletely. Although cow was revered and treated as sacred, it was also offered as food to guests and persons of high status. The taboo against beef is so internalized that it became one of the dogmas that are practically unchallenged. What do Hindus believe about sin and salvation? In principle, Buddhists would find nothing wrong with eating the flesh of an animal that had died from natural causes.Is it okay for Buddhist to eat beef? Notice that this is exactly the same things that we saw was said in Aitareya Brahman Book 7; Para 1 above (the highlighted part). They are only given to prove that cow meat was consumed. Historically, all Indian masses, including the Brahmins, used to eat beef, both in what is called the Vedic and the post-Vedic period. A great number of animals, both tame and wild, are tied to other stakes, according to a commentator 609 in total (Yajurveda, chapter 24 consists of an exact enumeration). It's a grave sin for us. For example, Swami Vivekananda who is considered as a major force in the revival of Hinduism in modern India, admitted that ancient Hindus used to eat meat. 5,00,000. Take of the entire skin without cutting it. Thus, it will be incorrect to insist that this verse is speaking about all cows in the world, referring to them as Aghnya. One common argument is that a cow in Vedic literature is called Aghnya meaning not fit to be killed and therefore a cow cannot in any way be killed. The Vedas are the ultimate authority. On being asked whose meat it should be, he answers Uksha. 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While those who take the position that consuming beef is unacceptable and should be considered a taboo (and a non-negotiable) are considered orthodox, those who say that it is a culinary preference theorise that the former is trying to mirror Islamists and are attempting to ex-communicate people from the Hindu fold for eating beef. Contrary to belief, most Hindus are not vegetarian. Withthe flesh of the goat, O king, they remain gratified for five months,with baconfor six months, and withthe flesh of birdsfor seven. For me, the normalisation of beef-eating today is little more than a disguised attempt to undermine our resolve to defend our way of life. Stop its breathing within (by stopping its mouth). To refute them, we are fortunate to have available the most ancient commentary on this mantra by none other than Adi Shankaracharya, revered by Hindus as the reviver of Hinduism in India and finishing off Buddhism and Jainism. In the NCERT school textbook for Class VI (2002) we read: Among the animals the cow was given the most important and sacred place. According to M.S.Golwalkar, a Hindutva ideologue, cow slaughter in India began with foreign domination. Whatever the flies may eat of the raw flesh of the horse; whatever is smeared upon the brush or upon the axe; (what is smeared) upon the hands or the nails of the immolator, may all this be with you, (horse) among the gods. I didnt really say anything. - Quora Answer (1 of 13): Yes it is a sin.Hinduism is a religion that raises the status of Mother to the level of Goddess. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. This verse of Brihadaranyak Upanishad is clearly encouraging the eating of beef. What do Hindu scriptures say about eating meat? medhru san-ga-me. A person of magnanimous heart who eats meat along with a wine named as Maadhveek, is quickly relieved of tuberculosis. If this view is not accepted as the correct one, then every verse of this chapter would be a question mark with no answer. Most Hindus worship the cow and abstain from eating beef, so it might come as a surprise that India has become the world's second-largest beef exporter. It is little more than a disguised attempt to undermine our resolve to defend our way of life. To suggest that it must, signifies arrogance, and not to mention, stupidity. Whether NDTV or 'The Wire', they never have to worry about funds. Cow meat was consumed at the time of yagnas too, the pontiff said, adding that there was reference to it in the Valmiki Ramayana also. The person who ordered the beef burger was a friend and continued to be so for a long time. I think this is where the lack of a central authority in Hinduism is most acutely felt unlike Christianity where there is the Church and in Islam where the book serves as the central authority and leaves very little room for interpretation. According to Manusmriti above, it is not sinful to eat meat. Here we clearly see that the belief of the Vedic people was that horse was not actually dying. The horse is dissected, and its flesh roasted. In 2020 a similar case came to light as well. The head is to be given to the Subrahmanya, the skin belongs to him (the Subrahmanya), who spoke, Svaah Sutyam (to morrow at the Soma Sacriice); that part of the sacrificial animal at a Soma sacrifice which beloings to Ilaa (sacrificial food) is common to all the priests; only for the Hotar it is optional. The word Goghna occurs in ancient Indian Grammarian Paninis book Ashtadhyayi. For example, the cow is not of a holy nature. If this verse was about prohibiting killing of cows, why would it talk about killing the forest cow? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The ancestors say, the animals that are sacrificed in the Yajna, obtain the higher worlds. I dont believe in that. I will quote the significant sholkas, , Yudhishthira said, O you of great puissance, tell me what that object is which, if dedicated to the Pitris, becomes inexhaustible! The respect for cow is part of Hindu belief, and most Hindus avoid meat sourced from cow as cows are treated as a motherly giving animal, considered as another member of the family. True scholars, and not modern frauds, know this. In Rigveda cow slaughter has been declared a heinous crime equivalent to human murder and it has been said that those who commits this crime should be punished. Since his time men study it., [Aitareya Brahman, Book 7, Para 1, Translated by Martin Haug]. . It has no connection to the violence of the animals done in the Yajna. There is a Jihad against the Hindu Civilization in Kashmir and Maoists and Communists and Evangelical Christians seek to destroy our civilization as well. Press ESC to cancel. which according to them, prohibit the killing of cows. Thus, we see why all the noise is being made on the first meaning of the word i.e. Therefore, the cow is considered a sacred animal, as it provides us life sustaining milk. On one side, there are people who say those who eat beef cannot be Hindu while there are others who maintain beef is a culinary preference. If we read the quoted Brahman (13.1.63) further, it clearly differentiates between a nation and the ashwamedha by saying, let him who holds royal sway perform the ashwamedha. I will now reveal before you the medicinal benefits of cow meat as enshrined in ancient Indian medical texts. He says in the footnote to verse #1, The exact significance of these animals being attached to the forces of nature (or Deities) is not clear to me. (words in brackets mine), Does this mean that no Hindu scholar for thousands of years has been able to understand the meaning of this chapter? While many Hindus do not eat beef and prefer to view the cow as highly regarded, Hindus do not worship the cow as a holy entity. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Seeing all these evidences this argument of the Hindtuva polemicist also turns out to be false. Frankly, Hindus have liberalised their religion so much that nothing really is considered to be a litmus test for being a Hindu, however, I have a problem with legitimising beef-eating using this argument. Absolutely. The cow has always been the symbol of Hindu resistance towards imperialism. What happens if you eat beef in Hinduism? Some of the most well-known religions that do not eat beef are Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism. Does that mean that it is a strict non-negotiable for me? Or the meat should be of a Rishabh. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Overall, India consumes the least amount of meat per capita. It is for these reasons that it is perplexing to me that such a notion is even floated. The Anushasan Parv (Book 13); section 88 mentions many animal sacrifices which are can be done to please the Pitris (fathers). The objective here clearly is to turn Hindus against the ethos of our civilization itself and make our way of life a soft target in the process. In this way the Hotar (priest) connets it with these world. The only scripture which explicitly states that beef eating is a sin is Manusmriti. Manusmriti (Chapter 5 / Verse 30) says, It is not sinful to eat the meat of eatable animals, for Brahma has created both the eaters and the eatables., Where the concern of eating beef really belongs is its effect on the human spirit and whether or not eating beef is considered sinful. Is eating beef a sin in Hinduism? Hindus use milk and its products for religious purposes because it is believed to have purifying qualities. Hinduism was founded by the Vedas, a collection of sacred texts that are believed to have been written around 2500 BC. The meaning of the former is it is honoured, while the later means it is thought. However in the ancient Indian context it has a unique application. . The cow is worshipped and revered and there are quite a few rituals where the cow is required. [Shabhar bhashya on Mimamsa Sutra 3/6/18; translated by Ganganath Jha], Expounding on this, Arya Samaj scholar, Pandit Yudhisthira Mimamsak writes in is Mimamsa Shabar Bhashyam, In this case and otherwise it appears from the Jaimini Sutras that the offering of sacrificed animals is to be made in the Yajnas. The serving of meat to the guests is confirmed by Shatapath Brahman 3/4/1/2 which says. Bestselling authors Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, dozens others comfort a new author after only two people turn up at her author signing Assam: Karimganj mechanic Nurul Haque gifts DIY Lamborghini to Himanta Biswa Sarma, says his dream has been fulfilled, Viral video: MBA student gatecrashes a wedding in Bhopal, forced to wash dishes after being caught. The wandering horse is attended by a hundred young men, sons of princes or high court officials, charged with guarding the horse from all dangers and inconvenience. sacrifice) enjoined by the Veda is therefore holy, being performed by authoritative men and considered blameless;. The other argument that is often furthered is that several Hindu communities do consume beef and hence, not consuming beef cannot be a litmus test of being Hindu. Thus, this argument stands nullified. This does not mean that certain cows cannot be killed for food. A cow may be called destroyer of sins due to the very fact that it was sacrificed as a burnt offering for cleansing a persons sins. Various religious sanctions were used to impose prohibition on beef eating, but, as Thapar demonstrates, only among the upper castes.. Sacrificial slaughter of cows is also mentioned in Mahabharata, Shalya Parv, Section 41. The penalty for slaughter of cows, calves, bovines, bulls and bullocks has been increased to a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment AND a fine of Rs. According to Manusmriti above, it is not sinful to eat meat. North India had a lot of Islamic influence, and with cooler climate and with a constant threat of war, more people became non-vegetarian. I remember gau-mata dressed up with bells and ornamented cloth. It would haunt you for rest of your life. So we see that the very sanskrit word for meat is actually a permission for meat eating. What is Hinduism2. It is important to note here that in my view, any Hindu who sees how beef-eating is used to undermine the very sanctity of our faith and our very existence, could give up beef since it is a preference for them and not a staple diet. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Special thanks to Brother Neer Muhammad, who has been really helpful throughout the writing of this article and also gave valuable points. |, ||, Your worshippers express with the stone fast flowing exhilarating Soma-juices for you. Beef consumption was commonplace before Buddhism and there are many communities in India that eat beef and pork because Hinduism is extremely diverse with many factions and Muslims/Christians exist. However, I can say with certainty that in most average Hindu households, beef eating is not permissible for deeply religious reasons. According to Manusmriti above, it is not sinful to eat meat. What does Vedas say about eating beef? Doing so gives a completely different picture that Vedas are instructing people not to kill a horse. Vegetarianism is generally true for the pancha-dravida brahmins like Iyers, Iyengars, Namboothiris, Telugu Brahmins of all sub-sects, Kannada Brahmins, Maharashtra, Gujarati, and Rajasthani Brahmins. Cows have been slaughtered to insult the Hindu people. 2.21) condemns the consumption of beef from cows and oxen as a sin. The respect for cow is part of Hindu belief, and most Hindus avoid meat sourced from cow as cows are treated as a motherly giving animal, considered as another member of the family. Depending on a persons personal goals and scriptural values, this modern-day world leaves many questioning which foods are actually the foods we should be eating. Modern Hindus usually are seen boasting about Indias scientific heritage, especially of medical texts likeCharaka SamhitaandSushruta Samhita, which they think are proof of the advancement of science in the ancient Hindu society. Consider the following mantra from Rigveda 1/164/27. Please contribute whatever you can afford. Is eating beef a sin in Hinduism? Again we see, as in verse 48, that there is no legal prohibition in this verse on killing a cow for food. How and why I went from 'Beef eating is a culinary preference' to 'those Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Koo (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Global liberals come together to whitewash Islamists accused of Delhi anti-Hindu riots in February 2020, 60+ Sikhs burnt alive by Brahmin-Hindu mobs: Khalistanis in Australia blame Brahmins for 1984 anti-Sikh massacre by Congress, Three Independent MLAs decide to support BJP in Gujarat, reports claim AAP MLAs are also in touch with the party, Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta resigns taking moral responsibility for defeat in MCD polls, Virendra Sachdeva temporarily assumes charge. That a debate has been initiated regarding the matter is a further indication of the attacks against our civilization. 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Is Ashok Swain banned from entering India after Modi govt cancelled his OCI?... Use this website to start justifying the act altogether per capita book 7, Para 1, Translated Martin! That you should not eat beef, such as Christianity, also have dietary laws and traditions used! As a sacred animal so even meat-eating Hindus may not eat beef, but it not... Seek to destroy our civilization meat along with a wine named as Maadhveek, indigenous. Brahman 3/4/1/2 which says ) enjoined by the Vedas, a cow is required the Brahma... We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website reading of scriptures... Quoting those verses of this hymn which directly prove that cow meat was consumed is by! And its yearly course relieved of tuberculosis not a is eating beef a sin in hinduism prohibition, but rather a! Interpret this to mean is eating beef a sin in hinduism it must, signifies arrogance, and not modern frauds know! 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