VEGETARIANISM

[Guest guest]

VEGETARIANISM

Bija or germ is the subtlest form of this universe. According to

Purusha Suktha, the sublime vedic song, one fourth of the `Supreme

Person' has become this manifest world and the rest is unmanifest

maintaining its essential status. Thus the divinity and purity of the

phenomenal world is unquestionable. It should not be lowered when

passing through media. The function of the mind is vital behind the

concept of purity and impurity. The primordial concept of this

universe being divine and pure, the germ or Bija forming out of food

has its original halo around it. As the germ develops into the

Gigantic mass of the Universe every care must be taken to justify the

purified concept of the germ. Again Purusha Sukta explains that the

Supreme Purusha, the manifest reality behind the cosmic world has

infinite heads, eyes and legs. What are these infinite organs other

than those beings ranging from the lowest to the highest level. If we

lay hand on any live substance for our physical maintenance, we are

cutting off one of the organs of the Supreme Purusha of whom we are

also made. This being the truth, origin of the nature is not

materialistic. We can connect the concept of Yoga with the different

stages of development. Spirit is not essentially different from

matter. Hence proceeds the divinity of life and the concept of non-

violence (Ahimsa). Hence it is the sanction of Vegetarianism, which

purify each organ of the universe through the agency of the Human

body. Human beings alone are capable of higher understanding and

realisation. Balancing purity in the body through vegetables leads to

the balanced purity in the mechanism of the universe. It is proved

that the vegetable world also manifests life. But it is `Thamasic' in

character, ie., inactive and a vegetarian has traversed three or four

subtler regions in the spiritual life than the non-vegetarian. That

plants are sensitive to music, capable of feeling etc., is at present

a proven fact. But their developing anything to organic expression or

mind-stuff is not yet supported by evidence. The `thamasic' nature of

the vegetable world may be confirmed. Plants have to traverse

countless regions to assert in the realm of spirituality. The

spiritual mechanism of the world is relevant when the cosmic person

is described as having indefinite heads, arms and legs. The energy

overflowing from the supreme God-head is supporting every limb and

movement in the universe. Any attempt to explain away the world by

the application of material science is fatal to the spiritual goal of

man. The Yogi discards even dry leaves wholly depends on the intake

of air. `Swayam Visheernadrumaparnavrttiha Para hi Kashta Thapasa'.

The supreme stage of penance consists in the eating of leaves

dropping from the trees on their own. This quotation is from `Kumara

Sambhavam' of Kalidasa.

Philosophy Behind Vegetarianism

 

Vegetarianism is not merely a code of eating habits. There is a grand

philosophy behind it which demands deeper understanding. Vegetarian

food can develop the finer structure of the mind which is helpful in

the realisation of the final end of humanity. The capacity of the

mind to grasp purer ideas and develop on subtler lines is amply

increased by the intake of Satvic food. The mind itself is the

reflected experience of life in the body. Purity of the mind depends

on the purity of the body also. Hence the relevance of Satvic food is

implied. The mind grows steadfast and is never shaken by evil

impulses. The relation of the mind to the cosmic purpose of creation

is evident from the following paragraph. Indian philosophy attempts

to reconcile every movement in the world with the cosmic purpose. Not

a single element is relegated to the background. `Annat Bhavanti

Bhootani'.

 

 

Status of the Animal World

 

All forms of life, as integral parts of nature, must be respected.

Indian religious system insists on the recognition of the sub-human

levels of existence. An appreciation of all forms of life is

essential to transcend the domain of nature. In our metaphysical

quest as such, we may respect the laws of nature and pass calmly

through her. Eating of meat is violation of nature and leads to the

degeneration of human nature. The animal world has also to be

preserved to serve the divine purpose behind creation. Imbalance in

nature is never in favour of the preservation of the world.

 

Life on the Watery Level

 

Plants and shrubs are of more watery content than the animals. Pain

is absent on the watery level. The vegetable world is more serene and

nobler that a moderate consumption of vegetables does not send acute

pain through the inner and subtler region. The concept of causal

waters (Karan Jalam) is a dominant factor. All the pain and agony of

phenomenal existence is ultimately merged into the primordial waters

at the phase of total dissolution. This dissolute waters turns into

life waters at the beginning of creation, out of which is projected

the different stages of the created world. The all embracing power of

the causal waters also sends its pure force through the vegetable

world. At the time of creation space is issued out of the principle

of `Ahamkara' (ego). Air proceeds from space, Fire from Air, Water

from Fire and finally Earth from Water. This process favours the

concept of the self-same base, the primal substratum of the universe.

Space gives rise to the quality of Sound, Air to Touch, Fire to Form,

Water to Taste and Earth to Smell. This is all described in the

Bhagavatha Mahapurana. It is clear that water is a finer element than

Earth. Man plucking and eating vegetables seldom disturbs the

balanced state of the created world.

 

Man Not Carnivorous by Nature

 

The structure of the human body is not in favour of eating flesh. The

sharp claws and the pointed teeth are remarkably absent in man.

Carnivorous animals are endowed with suitable intestines, kidney and

liver in order to support their meat eating habits. The small

intestines in the carnivorous animals are conspicuously shorter and

unbelievably lengthy in man. Even carnivorous animals eat the

herbivorous ones not the carnivorous species. The herbivores feeding

on herbs and shrubs are supported by nature and in turn helping the

carnivores. Thus the herbal system (cyclic system of life remembered)

serves as a living link between the herbivores and carnivores. The

structure and function of the human organs are different and destined

to be softened in the context of finer tastes and discrimination. Man

is more resourceful in adjusting himself with any circumstance

 

Seasonal Varieties

 

.. The variegated seasonal yields of nature provide abundant foodstuff

for man. The blessed nature cannot be depicted as a temptress. She,

the empress of divine glory supports her progeny with the endless

gifts of the Almighty. Man may not yield to momentous pleasures,

forgetting his supreme position in the hierarchy of created beings.

 

Medicinal Value

 

The medicinal value of herbs and plants are well known. The Sanskrit

word for herbs and plants is `Oushadhi'. `Oushadham' made

out `Oushadhi' means medicine. Remedy for all known diseases can be

found in nature, in the vegetable world. The vedas and the Upanishads

contain clue to this. Rishis of ancient India who are the advocates

of Ahimsa, are great physicians also. Nature cure is a recognised

system of medicine in India and the rest of the world.

 

Bad Effect of Eating Flesh

 

Animals facing slaughter develop a chain of psychological

infirmities. A serum forming out of fear would poison the blood and

flesh of the killed animal. This acts as a negative force and is

harmful to health. Part of life of the animal will be shattering

through the skin pores of the body and the nature of fear accumulated

in the process of killing and deposited on the flesh will never help

a meat eater. Meat eating has a bad effect on the working of the

mind. The chain of frustration and ultimate agony will disturb the

subconscious level of the universal mind. The individual mind and the

Universal mind are one and the same in the final analysis. Any excess

of bad impressions is sure to upset the ideal balance of the total

mind stuff. A part of bad impressions would get entangled with the

mangled flesh of the slain animal, the earthy aspect dominating

there. Moreover the negative force (Papa) of life would settle

wherever the same frequency of thought waves is existent. As a result

the killer and the eater will go degenerate in their subconscious

levels. Scientists and doctors do not encourage the tendency to meat

eating. Vegetables can provide the required substance for a healthy

life.

 

All Passing Through the Medium of Vegetables

 

Animals ceasing from life, pass through the medium of vegetables.

Plants grow on the ruins of dead animals. Thus all forms of life,

disintegrating, are transformed into the five elements, the gross

aspect sticking to the earth. According to the Adhyatma Ramayana

(Kishkinda Kandam - Sampathi Vakyam) the Jiva, deprived of merit

(Punya) falls down from heaven. It has a short life in the lunar

world (the moon is the symbol of mind). Then continuing its course,

the Jiva sprouts as rice plant on earth. Rice becomes food, semen and

falls into the womb of woman. The life cycle ultimately depends on

the medium of vegetables.

 

`Jiva......ksheenapunya padatyarvaganichha Karmachoditha

Patitva mandale chendostato neeharasamyuta,

Bhoomau patitva vreehyadau tatra stitva chiram puna

Bhootva chaturvidham bhojyam purushai bhujyate tata

Reto bhootya punastena streeyoni samchita'

(Adhyatma Ramayana)

The concept of time in measuring the course of a Jiva is indefinable.

Some moments in the higher celestial worlds are equal to millions of

years on earth. There is an episode in the Bhagavatha Mahapurana.

King Revata passed a few minutes with his daughter Revathi beside the

seat of Lord Brahma in the Sathya Loka. The music that was going on,

ceasing, the supreme Lord heard the prayers of the king. The perusal

of the horoscope of Revathi graciously granting the Lord drove the

king to the fact that twenty eight chaturyugas had already passed on

earth since his departure from his earthly city. ( 28 x 12,000 x 360

human years ). The inscrutable play of time passes the understanding

of the most refined mind. It is against such immeasurable and

inconceivable background that the merit and defect of human beings

tending to go vegetarian or non-vegetarian should be considered.

Argument both ways is not advisable. This is not the plane of reason,

but the plane of intuition.

Spiritual Development

 

Although hinted at in the beginning of this essay, the spiritual

relevance here demands serious understanding. Ahimsa and

vegetarianism is the basic concept of Vidika Sanathana Dharma. Ahimsa

is the primary equipment for spiritualism. `Ahimsa Paramo Dharma'.

Ahimsa (non-violence) is a nobler concept than the so called

olerance. Ahimsa aims at purity and balance, the satvic quality.

Certain varieties of vegetables such as onion and garlic are

predominantly rajasic and are avoided in a spiritual life. Thus

ahimsa and vegetarianism are inseparably connected with the Sanathana

Dharma. Also consider the selfless service, the vegetable world is

rendering. The Sanathani conception prohibits taking food from

selfish and impure agents. The innocent animals, mostly the object of

man's avarice, craving for their life are most selfish and form the

most impure food when slaughtered. Here doctrine of Ahimsa should do

justice to the animal world and declare its affinity with

vegetarianism.

 

Yajna Concept and Universal Mind

 

Yajna concept or service pattern of the of the vegetables is

fundamental to the life system. `Sarvam Yajne Pratishtitham'. The

green world makes the earth fit for life of the animal world ranging

in variety from from the smallest unit of life to man. The vegetable

and the animal regions are harmoniously interwoven into a single

household. The distributory system of service in the cosmic pattern

is meant to help each species to cross through its present status to

a higher level. This process will continue without hurting any aspect

of the universal life system. The balancing of Punya (merit) and Papa

(defect) is possible through this mechanism. Punya can be defined as

the positive force of life distributed in the physical system of the

universe which helps to pass through all the barriers of worldly

existence and culminates in the most purified form of life, rid of

all Vasanas (instincts). The negative force of life absorbed by the

life system unknowingly, owing to the impetus of the dominant force

of the material world is called Papa which breeds relative and

binding forces. The implied balance of Punya and Papa may not be

disturbed. Selfless action arouses purified regions in the universal

mind and is blessed and blessing. Selfish impulses have the same

negative impact. Man, on account of his superior power for reasoning,

is expected to maintain this Yajna concept of the nature and act as a

conscious agent for the spiritual well-being of the world. Impact of

the individual mind on the universal mind has already been asserted.

This essay proposes to halt, inviting a reference to the well known

experiment conducted under the sun. Certain young rabbits were

separated from their mother, taken far away under the sun and killed.

The psychological change over the mother rabbit was closely measured

simultaneously. The convulsion and agony that overtook the mother was

so remarkable that the subtler link connecting the feelings of two

minds placed at distant places is baffling the intellect of man. The

concept of Yajna that is manifest in the world serves the supreme

divine purpose and finally rests on and merges into the supreme

Brahman.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annat Bhavanti Bhootani

Parjanyadannasambhava

Yajnat Bhavanti Parjanyo

Yajna Karmasamudbhava

Karma Brahmodbhavan Viddhi --- ( Bhagavad Gita )