On Vedic Ritual, Animal Sacrifice.

[Guest guest]

Shyam-Ji wrote:

Nor is the issue here about the sattvic quotient of any particular country

or state. The reason I mentioned the USof A is because it is the world's

largest beef producer. Some other country may be the largest producer of

chicken meat. There is little difference. Outside of the narrow context of

Vedic rituals - India, Japan, China, Japan, etc etcare all no different

when it comes to a track record of keeping animals safe and healthy. Seals

in Scandinavia are actually bludgeoned to death as a rite of passage for

teens - all irrelevant to this forum and to this discussion.

 

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

 

Namaste Shyam-Ji,

Poorly researched observation. All European countries have labelling

which is strictly controlled as to the nature of the animal welfare

practices used in the production. Is it free range, Soil Association

Standerd, organic, pesticide free etc. Fair Trade is another closely

controlled label to guarantee to the consumer that a fair price has been

paid to the producer usually in the developing country. Some of this may

be organic also. Again this is strictly enforced and commands a premium

at the point of sale. The USA goes its own way on most things but there

are labelling laws so the consumer can reward humane husbandry.

 

Your Scandanavian remark seems to be incorrect but I will welcome an

authoritative source. I know that there are seal culls to protect fish

stocks and that pelts are used for coats but a rite of passage sounds

fanciful. These breezy throwaways do not enhance your credibility.

 

In Islam and Judaism all slaughter is ritual and the techniques used are

permitted only to them as they would be regarded as cruel in general use.

I don't know what rituals govern Hindu animal sacrifice or whether there

is any concern about minimisation of suffering.

 

Best Wishes,

Michael.

 

 

 

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

Version: 8.5.431 / Virus Database: 270.14.125/2600 - Release 01/04/10

19:35:00

[Guest guest]



Pranam dear Shyam-ji:

 

Hari OM!!!

 

You wrote....

 

 

As the title of this series suggests - the point is - a. is animal sacrifice mentioned in the Vedas and as a corollary b. is it then considered to be something we would label barbaric/abhorrent.

 

The only point I am making is that you use the same yardstick in talking about it as you would in talking about animal killing in any form. It is always amusing to read the hypocrisy of those talking about ritualistic animal sacrifices as being barbaric and relishing a tender veal for dinner at the same time.

 

------------

 

While I agree that it may be the same yardstick which is being used, that which is being measured varies immeasurably. Having said that, I will also agree that much of the discussion is going beyond this thread and for myself, I have no inclination to continue on it as it relates to the Vedas as my limited question has been answered to my satisfaction. I will save my thoughts for the post on ahimsa as it relates to the divine qualities in the context of our Gita studies! May He guide my thoughts and my words.

 

In His Service,

 

Radhe

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Dear Michael,

 

*******************

In Islam and Judaism all slaughter is ritual and the techniques used are

permitted only to them as they would be regarded as cruel in general use. I

don't know what rituals govern Hindu animal sacrifice or whether there is any

concern about minimisation of suffering.

*************

 

I don't know how far your understanding on our Srauta Sutras go (going by the

above statement).

 

Shri Bharati Tirtha of Sringeri Mutt in 2002 himself supervised a

Nirudhapashupandha Yaga where animal sacrifice was involved. And i think we are

no great people than His Holiness Shri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal of Sringeri

who has mastered 3 vedas alonwith Sayana Bhashyas, entire Srautha Kanda

including Katyayana Srauta Sutras, Sloka Vartika, Bhamati, Advaita Siddhi and

sanatana dharma sutras. My friend Shri B.J.Ganesh Prasad of Bangalore alongwith

several srautha ritualists of Sringeri Mutt participated in this Yaga as

ritwiks. I am sure most of the scholars here know Shri BJ Ganesh Prasad is a

stauch advaitist, srividya upasaka as well as Srautha ritualist who was a

student of Asthana Vidwan of Sringeri Mahamahopadhyaya Mimamsa Kesari

Tarkacharya Shri KP Shankara Sastrigal.

 

So, it is a sincere appeal that by studying ONLY THE VEDANTA EXCLUSIVELY don't

jump into wrong conclusions about the sanatana dharma whose base is shruti and

smriti.

 

In purva mimasa, there is a nyaya called " ardha jarati nyaya " which Acharya

Sankara beautifully explains. Acharya says that people of limited understanding

accept only that part of shruti which is acceptable to their logic and reject

the rest. When Shruti is pramana, you should accept the shrauta kanda also

which is a part of shruti.

 

Regarding the animal slaughter by islam, i know very well how they slaughter by

facing towards Mecca which is called " Halal System " .

 

We were technical consultants to the Andhra Pradesh State Govt. in modernising

the Slaughter Houses of Al-Kabir which involves slaughtering of numerous cattle.

 

Before ending this thread, my appeal to the western scholars (because i see that

you are all good sadhakas in vedanta) that pls. don't analyse the shruti &

smriti vakya from christianized view.

 

Since this is the Srautha Forum to discuss these issues, i stop here.

 

Bhava sankara desika me sharanam...

sriram

[Guest guest]

Namaste Shri Sriram-ji,

 

advaitin , " Venkata Sriram " <sriram_sapthasathi

wrote:

>

> Shri Bharati Tirtha of Sringeri Mutt in 2002 himself supervised a

> Nirudhapashupandha Yaga where animal sacrifice was involved.

 

May I point out that this information is perhaps *unnecessary* and

dissemination of that kind of information is " dangerous " for people who do

not understand the concept of yaGYa, do not agree on the holiness of The

jagadguru-pITha, and the concept of a Swami-ji who has renounced, presiding

over a vedic function?

 

I hope you understand that too much information is sometimes unnecessary

information and take this message in the right spirit.

 

bhava shankara deshika me sharaNam

Ramakrishna

[Guest guest]

Pranams Ramakrishnaji,

 

Yes. Message is rightly taken by me. But it pains me when somebody attacks our sanatana dharma just like that without proper understanding of shruti, smriti and purana.

 

regs,

sriram--- On Thu, 7/1/10, uramakrsna <uramakrishna wrote:

uramakrsna <uramakrishna Re: On Vedic Ritual, Animal Sacrifice.advaitin Date: Thursday, 7 January, 2010, 3:21 PM

Namaste Shri Sriram-ji,advaitin@ s.com, "Venkata Sriram" <sriram_sapthasathi wrote:>> Shri Bharati Tirtha of Sringeri Mutt in 2002 himself supervised a> Nirudhapashupandha Yaga where animal sacrifice was involved. May I point out that this information is perhaps *unnecessary* anddissemination of that kind of information is "dangerous" for people who donot understand the concept of yaGYa, do not agree on the holiness of Thejagadguru-pITha, and the concept of a Swami-ji who has renounced, presidingover a vedic function?I hope you understand that too much information is sometimes unnecessaryinformation and take this message in the right spirit.bhava shankara deshika me

sharaNamRamakrishna

The INTERNET now has a personality. YOURS! See your Homepage.

[Guest guest]

Namaste Srrramji:

 

Our respected Sastriji has suggested the following in a recent message and it is quite relevant and valuable for all posters.

advaitin , "snsastri" <sn.sastri wrote:> But, even at the risk of being branded a heretic, i would like to avoid justifying everything in the scriptures. Let us concentrate on the vedanta which contains eternal truths.

 

Best wishes,S..N.Sastri================================

 

We can all be benefitted more if we confine our discussions to the Vedantic aspects of our scriptures. Also we should remind ourselves that the subject matter of our discussion should fall within the scope of the Advaitin list. It is also important for us to recognize that scriptures cater to all aspects of religion, and all statements on all subjects are not necessarily eternal. Also we should recognize the fact that none of us are fully qualified to understand the context and relevence of statements in the scripture. The sages of the Upanishads have understood and accordingly focused their writings mostly on the transcendental truth. They have also recognized that transactional aspects stated in the scripture are subject to change with respect to time and environment.

 

Please recognize the fact that no one appears challenging the transcendal truth of Sanatana Dharma and the diversion of the discussion to the transactional aspects have created the wrong impression. If we continue to indulge in those discussions we will likely experience the unnecessary pains and sufferings and consequently we should avoid falling into this trap. We have so much to learn about advaita vedanta and let us spend more of our time by discussing Vedanta.

 

Take a moment to contemplate on Sastriji's comments and refocus our discussions on Vedanta.

 

With my warm regards,

 

Ram Chandran

 

advaitin , venkata sriram <sriram_sapthasathi.> wrote:>> Pranams Ramakrishnaji,>  > Yes. Message is rightly taken by me. But it pains me when somebody attacks our sanatana dharma just like that without proper understanding of shruti, smriti and purana.> Â