Sadhana Tip 10 – What do Shastras say about meat-consumption?
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Prashant Parikh
Jan 19, 2025, 10:17:06 PM1/19/25
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Sadhana Tip 10 – What do Shastras say about meat-consumption?
Pujya Swamiji has explained that for universal values, one need not seek validation. But sometimes, a universal value is forgotten, mis-contextualized, or, for the sake of convenience, ignored altogether. Ahinsa is the foremost universal value (ahinsa paramo dharmah). That ‘I do not wish to be hurt’ is a universal axiom. The primary corollary is ‘...therefore, others do not wish to be hurt, either'. This axiom and related corollaries are captured in a single word- ‘Ahinsa’, the value of least-injury caused to ourselves and others.
Students of traditional Vedanta are familiar that our Acharyas (teachers) prescribe an ahimsika (meat-free) diet. To provide supporting references, I’d like to share the following scriptural citations related to meat eating, the importance of a sattvik diet, etc. These citations span the Upanishads, Vedas (Karma Kanda), Puranas, Smritis and Itihasas (such as Mahabharata)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/132NZHlgkBVHQ9Hne9jEnjXcyZkve36AsaVFaczeZ-Fg/edit?tab=t.0
_____________
न हिंस्यात् सर्वभूतानि।
One should not harm any living being.
Yajurveda (12.32).
न तं हिंसन्ति कृताघं हिंसयैव च हिंसितः।
He who harms others harms himself and accumulates sin.
Atharvaveda (10.1.29).
अन्नं हिंसारहितं शुद्धं भवेत्।
Food devoid of violence is pure.
Chandogya Upanishad (7.26.2).
न मांसं ब्रह्मणो भोक्तव्यं।
Meat should not be consumed by the learned.
Manusmriti (5.48).
यो मांसं खादति स यमलोकं गच्छति।
He who eats meat goes to the realm of Yama (death).
Manusmriti (5.56).
मांसं त्वत्र भयप्रदं।
Meat is the cause of fear in animals.
Manusmriti (5.51).
मां भक्षय इत्युक्तं तस्मात् मांसं प्रकीर्तितम्।
Meat is called so because it implies: "You shall eat me in the next life."
Manusmriti (5.55).
न मांसं भक्षयेत् पुण्यं।
One does not attain merit by consuming meat.
Manusmriti (5.52).
मांसभक्षणात् पुत्रः पितरं न पश्यति।
An offspring who consumes meat dishonors his ancestors.
Parashara Smriti (4.25).
अहिंसा परमो धर्मः।
Non-violence is the highest virtue.
Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva, Chapter 114, Verse 6).
न हिंस्यात् सर्वभूतानि।
One should not harm any being.
Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva, Chapter 115, Verse 1).
मांसं त्यजेदाहारात् क्षेमार्थं सर्वसिद्धये।
One should renounce meat for the attainment of supreme peace and success.
Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva, Chapter 115, Verse 18).
प्राणिनां वधबुद्धिर्नास्य प्रीतिकरं भवेत्।
The intent to harm living beings does not please the self.
Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva, Chapter 115, Verse 22).
मांसस्य न भक्षयेत् लोको धर्मः।
The consumption of meat is against righteousness.
Padma Purana (Brahma Khanda, Chapter 57, Verse 13).
प्राणिनां वधो न कुर्यात्।
One should not kill living beings.
Bhagavata Purana (11.5.13).
मांसं त्वत्र भयप्रदं।
Meat causes fear (to animals harmed).
Vishnu Purana (3.10.12).
मांसं खादनं नरकाय।
Consuming meat leads to hell.
Skanda Purana (Book 2, Chapter 2, Verse 40).
मा हि ष्टे गा अप वधिष्ट।
Do not slaughter the cows.
Rigveda (10.87.16).
अघ्न्या यजमानस्य पशून पाहि।
Protect the cattle of the worshipper from slaughter.
Yajurveda (1.1).
न मांसं ब्राह्मणः शस्तं न मद्यं न च मैथुनम्।
Meat, alcohol, and sexual overindulgence are not commendable for the learned.
Manusmriti (5.52).
न मांसं ब्राह्मणः शस्तं प्राणिनां जीवितं प्रियं।
Meat is not commendable for the learned; the life of animals is dear to them.
Manusmriti (5.49).
न मांसं भक्षयेत् पुण्यं न मद्यं न च मैथुनम्।
One does not attain merit by consuming meat, alcohol, or engaging in sexual overindulgence.
Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva, Chapter 115, Verse 52).
मांसं तु द्विविधं प्रोक्तं श्रुत्या च स्मृत्या च वै। अज्ञानकृतमज्ञेयं, प्रायश्चित्तेन शुध्यति।
Meat is declared to be of two types: that which is knowingly consumed and that which is unknowingly consumed. Only the latter can be purified through penance.
Padma Purana (Brahma Khanda, Chapter 57, Verse 36).
मांसं तु यो भुक्त्वा स्वर्गं गच्छति वै नरः। यः पुनः क्रियया भक्त्या यो याति वै नरकं न सः।
He who eats animal flesh goes to heaven through rituals and devotion; however, without proper rituals, he falls into hell.
Garuda Purana (Chapter 1, Verse 54).
अकृत्वा प्राणिवधं त्यजेत्।
One should avoid killing and consuming animals.
Bhagavata Purana (11.5.13).
मांसं त्वत्र भयप्रदं।
Meat causes fear (in the animals that are harmed).
Vishnu Purana (3.10.12).
मांसं खादनं नरकाय।
Consuming meat leads to naraka (realm of suffering).
Skanda Purana (Book 2, Chapter 2, Verse 40).
अन्नं हिंसारहितं शुद्धं भवेत्।
Food devoid of violence is pure.
Chandogya Upanishad (7.26.2).
यो पशुं गोमतीं यज्ञेऽवघ्नीत् स यजमानः पापीयान्।
He who kills animals, especially cows, in sacrifices becomes the most sinful.
Rigveda (10.87.16).
अघ्न्या यज्ञेभ्यो देवा उपकारिणः।
Cows are innocent and meant for service to the devas in yajnas.
Atharvaveda (Book 11, Hymn 1, Verse 34).
न हि सर्वं विना हिंसा भुक्तं शुद्ध्यति कर्हिचित्।
Nothing consumed with violence can ever be purified.
Manusmriti (5.49).
न हिंस्यात् सर्वभूतानि धर्मेण विधिना चरेत्।
Do not harm any living being and act according to dharma.
Mahabharata (Shanti Parva, Chapter 262, Verse 47).
यस्य अन्नं हिंसामूलं तस्य स्वर्गेऽधिकारः।
He whose food is based on violence has no claim to heaven.
Padma Purana (Uttara Khanda, Chapter 42, Verse 34).
अघ्न्येयं सा वर्धतां महते सौभगाय।
May the innocent cow prosper for the well-being of all.
Rigveda (8.101.15).
अघ्न्या यजमानस्य पशून पाहि।
Protect the cattle of the worshipper from slaughter.
Rigveda (1.164.27).
मा गामनागामदितिं वधिष्ट।
Do not kill the cow, the innocent aditi.
Rigveda (8.101.15).
सर्वान् पशून् ब्रह्मयज्ञे महासते।
All animals are to be protected in the sacrifice dedicated to the Supreme.
Yajurveda (13.47).
न हिंस्यात् प्रजां पशुम्।
Do not harm the progeny or the cattle.
Yajurveda (6.11).
अन्नं हि परमो धर्मः। न हिंसाया उपार्जितं।
Food that is earned through non-violence is the supreme dharma.
Padma Purana (Srsti Khanda, Chapter 31, Verse 28).
हिंसा न करोत्यपि यः स धर्मात्मा।
He who does not commit violence is righteous.
Skanda Purana (Kasi Khanda, Chapter 19, Verse 16).
अन्नं शुद्धं शुद्धसत्त्वस्य कारणम्।
Pure food leads to a pure mind.
Chandogya Upanishad (7.26.2).
सत्त्वं च मानसं प्रीयते शुचिना।
आहारशुद्धौ सत्त्वशुद्धिः।
The mind becomes pure with pure food. By the purity of food, one attains purity of the mind.
Mahabharata (Shanti Parva, Chapter 262, Verse 20).
तस्माद्विहाय मनसो मलमात्मशुद्ध्यै
सत्त्वान्नमाश्रयत पादरजोऽभिषेकम्।
To cleanse the mind of impurities and purify the self, one should consume sattvik food and avoid that which is impure.
Srimad Bhagavata Purana (11.18.37).
प्रयः सत्त्वं च शुद्धं।
आहारशुद्धिः सत्त्वशुद्धेरुपायः।
Purity is attained through sattvik food, which is the means for purifying the mind.
Srimad Bhagavata Purana (7.15.10).
पापं हिंसामूलं।
आहारः सत्त्वयुक्तः पुण्याय।
Food rooted in violence is sinful. Food that is sattvik brings merit.
Garuda Purana (1.210).
~
~
Pujya Swamiji has explained that for universal values, one need not seek validation. But sometimes, a universal value is forgotten, mis-contextualized, or, for the sake of convenience, ignored altogether. Ahinsa is the foremost universal value (ahinsa paramo dharmah). That ‘I do not wish to be hurt’ is a universal axiom. The primary corollary is ‘...therefore, others do not wish to be hurt, either'. This axiom and related corollaries are captured in a single word- ‘Ahinsa’, the value of least-injury caused to ourselves and others.
Students of traditional Vedanta are familiar that our Acharyas (teachers) prescribe an ahimsika (meat-free) diet. To provide supporting references, I’d like to share the following scriptural citations related to meat eating, the importance of a sattvik diet, etc. These citations span the Upanishads, Vedas (Karma Kanda), Puranas, Smritis and Itihasas (such as Mahabharata)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/132NZHlgkBVHQ9Hne9jEnjXcyZkve36AsaVFaczeZ-Fg/edit?tab=t.0
_____________
न हिंस्यात् सर्वभूतानि।
One should not harm any living being.
Yajurveda (12.32).
न तं हिंसन्ति कृताघं हिंसयैव च हिंसितः।
He who harms others harms himself and accumulates sin.
Atharvaveda (10.1.29).
अन्नं हिंसारहितं शुद्धं भवेत्।
Food devoid of violence is pure.
Chandogya Upanishad (7.26.2).
न मांसं ब्रह्मणो भोक्तव्यं।
Meat should not be consumed by the learned.
Manusmriti (5.48).
यो मांसं खादति स यमलोकं गच्छति।
He who eats meat goes to the realm of Yama (death).
Manusmriti (5.56).
मांसं त्वत्र भयप्रदं।
Meat is the cause of fear in animals.
Manusmriti (5.51).
मां भक्षय इत्युक्तं तस्मात् मांसं प्रकीर्तितम्।
Meat is called so because it implies: "You shall eat me in the next life."
Manusmriti (5.55).
न मांसं भक्षयेत् पुण्यं।
One does not attain merit by consuming meat.
Manusmriti (5.52).
मांसभक्षणात् पुत्रः पितरं न पश्यति।
An offspring who consumes meat dishonors his ancestors.
Parashara Smriti (4.25).
अहिंसा परमो धर्मः।
Non-violence is the highest virtue.
Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva, Chapter 114, Verse 6).
न हिंस्यात् सर्वभूतानि।
One should not harm any being.
Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva, Chapter 115, Verse 1).
मांसं त्यजेदाहारात् क्षेमार्थं सर्वसिद्धये।
One should renounce meat for the attainment of supreme peace and success.
Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva, Chapter 115, Verse 18).
प्राणिनां वधबुद्धिर्नास्य प्रीतिकरं भवेत्।
The intent to harm living beings does not please the self.
Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva, Chapter 115, Verse 22).
मांसस्य न भक्षयेत् लोको धर्मः।
The consumption of meat is against righteousness.
Padma Purana (Brahma Khanda, Chapter 57, Verse 13).
प्राणिनां वधो न कुर्यात्।
One should not kill living beings.
Bhagavata Purana (11.5.13).
मांसं त्वत्र भयप्रदं।
Meat causes fear (to animals harmed).
Vishnu Purana (3.10.12).
मांसं खादनं नरकाय।
Consuming meat leads to hell.
Skanda Purana (Book 2, Chapter 2, Verse 40).
मा हि ष्टे गा अप वधिष्ट।
Do not slaughter the cows.
Rigveda (10.87.16).
अघ्न्या यजमानस्य पशून पाहि।
Protect the cattle of the worshipper from slaughter.
Yajurveda (1.1).
न मांसं ब्राह्मणः शस्तं न मद्यं न च मैथुनम्।
Meat, alcohol, and sexual overindulgence are not commendable for the learned.
Manusmriti (5.52).
न मांसं ब्राह्मणः शस्तं प्राणिनां जीवितं प्रियं।
Meat is not commendable for the learned; the life of animals is dear to them.
Manusmriti (5.49).
न मांसं भक्षयेत् पुण्यं न मद्यं न च मैथुनम्।
One does not attain merit by consuming meat, alcohol, or engaging in sexual overindulgence.
Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva, Chapter 115, Verse 52).
मांसं तु द्विविधं प्रोक्तं श्रुत्या च स्मृत्या च वै। अज्ञानकृतमज्ञेयं, प्रायश्चित्तेन शुध्यति।
Meat is declared to be of two types: that which is knowingly consumed and that which is unknowingly consumed. Only the latter can be purified through penance.
Padma Purana (Brahma Khanda, Chapter 57, Verse 36).
मांसं तु यो भुक्त्वा स्वर्गं गच्छति वै नरः। यः पुनः क्रियया भक्त्या यो याति वै नरकं न सः।
He who eats animal flesh goes to heaven through rituals and devotion; however, without proper rituals, he falls into hell.
Garuda Purana (Chapter 1, Verse 54).
अकृत्वा प्राणिवधं त्यजेत्।
One should avoid killing and consuming animals.
Bhagavata Purana (11.5.13).
मांसं त्वत्र भयप्रदं।
Meat causes fear (in the animals that are harmed).
Vishnu Purana (3.10.12).
मांसं खादनं नरकाय।
Consuming meat leads to naraka (realm of suffering).
Skanda Purana (Book 2, Chapter 2, Verse 40).
अन्नं हिंसारहितं शुद्धं भवेत्।
Food devoid of violence is pure.
Chandogya Upanishad (7.26.2).
यो पशुं गोमतीं यज्ञेऽवघ्नीत् स यजमानः पापीयान्।
He who kills animals, especially cows, in sacrifices becomes the most sinful.
Rigveda (10.87.16).
अघ्न्या यज्ञेभ्यो देवा उपकारिणः।
Cows are innocent and meant for service to the devas in yajnas.
Atharvaveda (Book 11, Hymn 1, Verse 34).
न हि सर्वं विना हिंसा भुक्तं शुद्ध्यति कर्हिचित्।
Nothing consumed with violence can ever be purified.
Manusmriti (5.49).
न हिंस्यात् सर्वभूतानि धर्मेण विधिना चरेत्।
Do not harm any living being and act according to dharma.
Mahabharata (Shanti Parva, Chapter 262, Verse 47).
यस्य अन्नं हिंसामूलं तस्य स्वर्गेऽधिकारः।
He whose food is based on violence has no claim to heaven.
Padma Purana (Uttara Khanda, Chapter 42, Verse 34).
अघ्न्येयं सा वर्धतां महते सौभगाय।
May the innocent cow prosper for the well-being of all.
Rigveda (8.101.15).
अघ्न्या यजमानस्य पशून पाहि।
Protect the cattle of the worshipper from slaughter.
Rigveda (1.164.27).
मा गामनागामदितिं वधिष्ट।
Do not kill the cow, the innocent aditi.
Rigveda (8.101.15).
सर्वान् पशून् ब्रह्मयज्ञे महासते।
All animals are to be protected in the sacrifice dedicated to the Supreme.
Yajurveda (13.47).
न हिंस्यात् प्रजां पशुम्।
Do not harm the progeny or the cattle.
Yajurveda (6.11).
अन्नं हि परमो धर्मः। न हिंसाया उपार्जितं।
Food that is earned through non-violence is the supreme dharma.
Padma Purana (Srsti Khanda, Chapter 31, Verse 28).
हिंसा न करोत्यपि यः स धर्मात्मा।
He who does not commit violence is righteous.
Skanda Purana (Kasi Khanda, Chapter 19, Verse 16).
अन्नं शुद्धं शुद्धसत्त्वस्य कारणम्।
Pure food leads to a pure mind.
Chandogya Upanishad (7.26.2).
सत्त्वं च मानसं प्रीयते शुचिना।
आहारशुद्धौ सत्त्वशुद्धिः।
The mind becomes pure with pure food. By the purity of food, one attains purity of the mind.
Mahabharata (Shanti Parva, Chapter 262, Verse 20).
तस्माद्विहाय मनसो मलमात्मशुद्ध्यै
सत्त्वान्नमाश्रयत पादरजोऽभिषेकम्।
To cleanse the mind of impurities and purify the self, one should consume sattvik food and avoid that which is impure.
Srimad Bhagavata Purana (11.18.37).
प्रयः सत्त्वं च शुद्धं।
आहारशुद्धिः सत्त्वशुद्धेरुपायः।
Purity is attained through sattvik food, which is the means for purifying the mind.
Srimad Bhagavata Purana (7.15.10).
पापं हिंसामूलं।
आहारः सत्त्वयुक्तः पुण्याय।
Food rooted in violence is sinful. Food that is sattvik brings merit.
Garuda Purana (1.210).
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