Abjuring of Meat(-Eating) - by Renouncers

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Here is a literal translation of the 10 couplets on, 'Abjuring of Meat(-Eating)'

(Canto of Renunciation - Book of Righteousness - Thirukkural)

 

251 To fatten one's (own) flesh, one who eats another's meat,

how can he Possess Grace (in its Majestic Fullness) ?

 

252 Rulership of 'wealth' is not for one 'unprotective' of it, Rulership of

'Grace',

is not there, for one 'eating meat'.

 

253 Like the 'heart' of one possessing weapon, (will not) encourage (doing)

'good',

the mind of one, who ate the taste of (another one's) body.

 

254 If (one asks) what is it (that is) 'devoid of Grace', (it is)

'eliminating non-killing',

That (which) is 'devoid of Worth', is 'eating that meat'.

 

255 Life-establishment is (in) non-eating (of meat), upon eating meat,

the 'purgatory' will not do the opening of (its) mouth (for releasing

the meat-eater).

 

256 If for the sake of eating, the world does not kill, noone,

for the sake of value, will be a 'meat-giver'.

 

257 (One) must abide (by) not-eating 'meat', another one's,

'sore', that is, if there is one (who) realises (this).

 

258 One with the vision bereft of 'error', will not eat,

'flesh' (that is) bereft of 'life'.

 

259 Than performing a thousand sacrifices, by pouring the (ordained)

(material) offerings,

not-eating (after) killing (one's) life, is better.

 

260 (The) non-killer, (him) the avoider of 'meat', hand-folded,

all life(ving beings) will worship.