| Many religions condone a ritual of animal sacrifice
as a way of pleasing the Gods! Although such actions are prevalent
in cults, some ranks of ‘Hinduism’ which themselves should be considered as
cults condone ritual animal sacrifice. Lord Swaminarayan here stipulates
the greatness of Ahimsa outlined in the previous Shloka by saying that even
sacrifices to Gods (Himsa Yagna) is wholly unacceptable – deriving untold
sin.
It is ludicrous to even think that God would be pleased
by killing a creature made by himself. Only a fool would think that someone
would be made happy by destroying that which he creates.
Shatanand Muni here suggests that we should not physically
kill, speak to kill, nor even think to kill another creature (of God). Such
is the Great Dharma of Ahimsa.
Our respected Maharishis of the past have established
Ahimsa as Mahaan Parama Dharma the highest of Dharmas. It is
a Dharma that is mentioned in many of the prominent Hindu scriptures including
the great Mahabharat. ‘Satya Vrata Raja performed Himsa Yagna (violent)
thinking that he would attain the Heavens – instead it was the cause of his
destruction as the fruits of his austerities were destroyed.’
‘The foolish have interpreted the Vedas incorrectly.
They have preached what they perceive to be the truth that is instead false.
In this way, these ignoramuses, without intellect, have preached the Adharma
of Himsa (violence) as acceptable.’
Narad Pancharatra
adds, ‘The Shruti (revealed scriptures) are considered as the Mother of the
Earth. They preach only compassion towards all and strive for betterment
for all. This is indeed the message of God, which does not even utter a single
word of violence towards others.’
God in all instances has preached love towards all.
This universal love stems from the fact that all creatures have a commonality,
an Atma – the soul which is simply a spark of the Param Atma
– God Supreme. Indeed all that exists is God in one form or another. Therefore
to harm another is to inadvertently harm God and so the Dharma of Ahimsa should
always and everywhere is cherished. Narad has explained to Prachinbharish
Raja – ‘Behold O King! The thousands of Jivas (souls) which have
met their death at your hands through sacrificial Yagnas wait eagerly for
your death in order to reap their revenge upon you. They angrily wait to
inflict the same pain upon you by hacking at your body with axes.’
Shree Bhishma
has explained, ‘Of all acts Ahimsa is the greatest says Manu (Sarvakarma
Svahimsa Hi Dharmatma Manurbhravit). Towards all creatures, the Dharma
of Ahimsa is considered to be the best (Ahimsa Sarvabhutebhya Dharmebhyo
Tyayasimata). There is no other better Dharma than that of Ahimsa
towards all beings, it is beyond comparison.’
Shatanand asserts: Ahimsadharmasya Mahatvantu
Sakalshastraprasidhyam – The Dharma of Ahimsa is famed in all Shastras.
The use of flesh in Pitru Yagna such as Shraaddh
is strictly forbidden also. Parashar Muni writes, ‘Shraaddha involving
lament and repentance will certainly bring liberation, but never one which
involves the use of flesh.’
Vasudev Mahatmaya
of Skanda Purana says ‘One should never use meat in Shraaddha. Only Muni-anna
(Samo, Namar etc) milk, Ghee etc should be used as use of such things will
have the desired effect – liberation for ancestors.’
Vyaas
has written: Sarvatha Sarvada Sarvabhutanaamnabhidrohaha Ahimsa
– ‘Ahimsa is refraining from violence always, everywhere and towards all.’
Such a Vrata is considered as Sarvabhaumi Mahavrata and is equivalent
to the great Vratas such as Satya (truth) and Brahmcharya (celibacy).
In a discussion between the Devas and Maharishis in the Mahabharat
it is said, ‘The killing of calves is despicable. Killing of any animal is
not the Dharma of Man.’
It is important to clarify what exactly Yagnas are.
Yagnas are a way of pleasing the Gods. Offerings are placed into Agni
(fire) and thus given to the God of Fire who distributes these offerings to
all other Devas. In return all the Devas shower their blessings upon you
and effectively you derive their favour and support. The Shastras say Ajaina
Yajeta that is only Aja - which are such things as rice should
be offered in Yagnas. Aja is not animals as many people have concocted.
It is written in Narad Pancharatra, ‘So called
Shastras which prescribe Himsa are not true Shastras and should
not be accepted by man.’ Our true Shastras teach compassion to all creatures,
for they are all part of God. We must accept that all creatures are equal
and never do unto them that which we would not want done to us.
Mahabharat
says, ‘Those who perform Ahimsa Yagna will surely attain Brahman (the
heavens). However Himsa Yagnas will only consign a person to hell.’ Therefore
we must never partake in Himsa Yagnas by accepting Prasad (remnant) of such
a Yagna. Indeed we must never partake in any kind of meat in any situation
for Parashar Muni has said, ‘Eating meat will never lead a person to
salvation.’
Narad
similarly says, ‘Partaking of vegetarian foods will attain salvation (Moksha).’
Mundak Upanishad narrates a story where a King who performs Himsa Yagnas
is visited by Narad Muni and is put into Samadhi (deep trance)
where he visits Narak (Hell). The shocked King, reawakening from Samadhi
is then told by Narad that the consequence of Himsa is an eternity in that
same Hell. Thus the Adharma of Himsa is strictly prohibited in all ranks
of true Hinduism. |
