Circumstances under which the government can arrange for eating of co

[Guest guest]

>We know that in an emergency even the killing of a cow is allowed so what

>can be killed in the normal farming process and in what circumstances.

>

>Comments please.

>

>ys syam

>

>

>

A couple weeks ago, Syamasundar made this comment and was completely

shot down, with others pointing that a cow could never be killed under

any circumstance.

 

At the time, I was sure he was thinking of Prabhupada's statement in the

Bhagavatam, but I didn't have time to look it up then.

 

But I just wanted to note that Syamasundar is indeed correct about

Prabhupada's position in this matter. I finally got a chance to look up

the relevant quote, which appears in the 4th Canto in the pastimes of

Prthu Maharaja. In the context, Prthu is threatening to kill the

cow-shaped earth and feed her flesh to his starving citizens:

 

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TRANSLATION

 

Now, with the help of my arrows, I shall cut you to pieces and with your

flesh satisfy the hunger-stricken citizens, who are now crying for want

of grains. Thus I shall satisfy the crying citizens of my kingdom.

 

PURPORT

 

Here we find some indication of how the government can arrange for the

eating of cow flesh. It is here indicated that in a rare circumstance

when there is no supply of grains, the government may sanction the

eating of meat. However, when there is sufficient food, the government

should not allow the eating of cow's flesh just to satisfy the

fastidious tongue. In other words, in rare circumstances, when people

are suffering for want of grains, meat-eating or flesh-eating can be

allowed, but not otherwise. The maintenance of slaughterhouses for the

satisfaction of the tongue and the killing of animals unnecessarily

should never be sanctioned by a government.

 

As described in a previous verse, cows and other animals should be given

sufficient grass to eat. If despite a sufficient supply of grass a cow

does not supply milk, and if there is an acute shortage of food, the

dried-up cow may be utilized to feed the hungry masses of people.

According to the law of necessity, first of all human society must try

to produce food grains and vegetables, but if they fail in this, they

can indulge in flesh-eating. Otherwise not. As human society is

presently structured, there is sufficient production of grains all over

the world. Therefore the opening of slaughterhouses cannot be supported.

In some nations there is so much surplus grain that sometimes extra

grain is thrown into the sea, and sometimes the government forbids

further production of grain. The conclusion is that the earth produces

sufficient grain to feed the entire population, but the distribution of

this grain is restricted due to trade regulations and a desire for

profit. Consequently in some places there is scarcity of grain and in

others profuse production. If there were one government on the surface

of the earth to handle the distribution of grain, there would be no

question of scarcity, no necessity to open slaughterhouses, and no need

to present false theories about over-population.

 

SB 4.17.26

 

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I always thought this was a remarkable quote from Srila Prabhupada.

Just as the mayavadis use the Bhagavad-gita as a pretext for

non-violence by converting all the killing aspects to symbolism, Srila

Prabhupada could have presented an evasive purport here. He could have

said that Prthu was not really going to kill the cow.

 

But, on the contrary, as befits a brahmana gifted by the quality of

arjavam or straightforwardness, Prabhupada deliberately addresses the

issue head-on. He states that Prthu's actions are an example of a rare

circumstance where a government can sanction the eating of meat. Then

he carefully goes on to emphasize that this is not the situation in the

modern world, and cannot be taken to sanction the opening of

slaughterhouses.

 

In reality, I believe that faced with the actual situation, no one on

this conference would be able to kill a beloved family cow, even if it

meant his children had to starve to death. I personally don't think I

could bring myself to do it. But, in theory, Prabhupada clearly states

that in extreme circumstances that the government can make such

arrangements.

 

Thus, Syamasundar prabhu should be vindicated for his comment, which is

completely in keeping with Prabhupada's instructions. It's important

that we be aware of all aspects of Prabhupada's presentation on this

topic so we can convey the fine points to others.

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi