Veg or Non-Veg

[samhita prabhu]

Dear All,

               I wanted to know whether Sri Ramakrishna,Vivekananda,Holy mother and Swami Brahmananda as to whethewr they are Vegetarians or Non-Vegetarians?

with referance to authentic Books , I want the answer.

Regards

 Samhita

[sabuj biswas]

Respected Samhita Ji,

Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sri Ma, Swamiji and Raja Maharaj...all of them used to have and STILL have non-veg. In many centres of our order, FISH is cooked and served during the meals. we will find out why.

Sri Ramakrishna: Sri Ramakrishna used to non-vegeterian food, though he didnt like it much. In bengal and bengali culture, Fish is a very auspicious sign as well as a sign of Good luck. Sri Ramakrishna (in kathamrita) says that When Mother Bhavatarini's (Deity of Dakshineswar) prasadam of animal sacrifice comes to him, he dips his index finger in it and tastes it(everyone laughs)..as he can't say "no" to mother's prasadam. He also said after this that, he eats fish, but plans to leave it soon too.

In this context, we must note that at that time animal sacrifice used to be given on every amavasya day in dakshineswar temple. Not that Thakur supported as, because we see that whenever the sacrifice used to take place, he used to walk away silently to CHANDNI and sit quietly over there. It is not very long ago, that Sri Kushal Chaudhury, the Head of the Trust which manages the dakshineswar temple, stopped the sacrifice.


Sri Sri Ma Sarada Devi: Mother, used to have fish when Sri Thakur was in his mortal body, but very less. But she strongly adviced on having Fish to the sadhus, specially on tuesday and saturday to the sadhus, as she didnt want her sons to be dry sadhus.....She used to cook fish for them...and till now, in Bagbazar Mayer Bari, food is served on tuesdays and Thursdays. Mother never condemned anyone to have anything. She said, "I am there my son, I will do everything for You. You will eat whatever you like, wear whaterever you like. I am there for you."

Ref: Sri Sri Mayer Padaprante.

Swami Vivekananda: Swamiji, loved Non-Vegeterian food. There are numerous examples where he had Mutton. He was also an ardent cook...and had cooked Pulaw-Mutton on many occassions, in his devotees home. One of his disciples came to meet him in Belur Math and brought mutton to offer to his Gurudev.

Ref:Swamijir Padaprante

Swami Brahmananda: Maharaj also used to have fish, though not much. Actually they never had special habits of taking any special category of food. They were god-men, they didn't have any need or want..did they?
Maharaj loved to have a particular fish known as "koi" fish...which is found in Bengal. It was due to that reason that after he left his mortal coils, once during his birth celebrations in Bhuvaneswar, Special "koi" fish was taken from kolkata to offer to Thakur.

Ref:Swami Brahmanander Smritikatha


There is no condemnation by Ramakrishna Math and Mission on the ground of food Samhita Ji....Those of us who are initiated, have never been told off to eat anything. We are part of a modern and Liberal Movement, we don't have these prejudices in us..do we?

and to just interest you, there is a special occassion in Bengal known as "Jamai-Sasthi", or to simply say "Son-in-Law's Day"..On that day, all the Mother-in-laws invite their son-in-laws and feed them with sumptous meals, gift them etc etc.....In Jayrambati, Mother's Birthplace, Thakur is served 5 kinds of fish on that day, as Thakur is the "Son-in-law" there...isn't he?

Also, Non veg food is offered during Sandhi Puja in Durga Puja, as Mother Chamunda is worshipped during Sandhi Puja, and as we know, she is a tamasic Goddess, she is offered with Non Veg Bhoga.

I hope you get the point.

--
Jay Mahamai ki Jay!!
Jay Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishnadev ki Jay!!
Jay Swamiji Maharajji ki Jay!!

[Prabesh Lohani]

Dear Sabuj Ji,

I wasn't aware of much of the things you had mentioned in your email. Thank you for your great explanation. However, I must confess, I couldn't digest your last sentence. You're referring to Chamunda as Tamasik goddess. How can she, who is beyond all of nature, be classified into the three gunas? I think it is tha sadhak's own approach that determines what is offered to the deity. The mother of the unvierse gladly accepts whatever is offered to her by her devotee. Refer to Holy Mother's own words: "I am there my son, I will do everything for You. You will eat whatever you like, wear whaterever you like. I am there for you."

Please guide me if I am wrong on this.

Om

[bileh choudhury]

once when swamiji came from west and was about to enter the math he some how came to know that that days menue was ilish machh bhaja and khichuri. so swamiji out of  hunger climbed the wall of math and and then jumped inside math boundary to have that preparation. when he was young he would take delight in cooking mutton with his friends. many more incidents are there which can be found in his life.

but this shouldnot be taken into account in judging someone's sainthood. and as we are in shakta tradition we are allowed to take such delicacies.

dwaipayan

2009/6/23 Prabesh Lohani <prabes...@gmail.com>

[Nikhil Bhavadas Kaplingat]

Also, Swamiji in fact advocated meat for Indian people, so that they be physically, and thus spiritually strong.

From the Diary of a disciple Part XV (emphasis mine):

http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_5/conversations_and_dialogues/xi_xv_from_the_diary_of_a_disciple.htm

<<<

Disciple: Is it proper or necessary to take fish and meat?

Swamiji: Ay, take them, my boy! And if there be any harm in doing so, I will take care of that. Look at the masses of our country! What a look of sadness on their faces and want of courage and enthusiasm in their hearts, with large stomachs and no strength in their hands and feet — a set of cowards frightened at every trifle!

>>>
and
<<<

Swamiji: Yes, take as much of that as you can, without fearing criticism. The country has been flooded with dyspeptic Bâbâjis living on vegetables only. That is no sign of Sattva, but of deep Tamas — the shadow of death. Brightness in the face, undaunted enthusiasm in the heart, and tremendous activity — these result from Sattva; whereas idleness, lethargy, inordinate attachment, and sleep are the signs of Tamas.

Disciple: But do not fish and meat increase Rajas in man?

Swamiji: That is what I want you to have. Rajas is badly needed just now! More than ninety per cent of those whom you now take to be men with the Sattva, quality are only steeped in the deepest Tamas. Enough, if you find one-sixteenth of them to be really Sâttvika! What we want now is an immense awakening of Râjasika energy, for the whole country is wrapped in the shroud of Tamas. The people of this land must be fed and clothed — must be awakened — must be made more fully active. Otherwise they will become inert, as inert as trees and stones. So, I say, eat large quantities of fish and meat, my boy!

>>>

Pranams,
Nikhil

[sabuj biswas]

Respected Prabesh Ji,

"I think it is tha sadhak's own approach that determines what is offered to the deity. The mother of the unvierse gladly accepts whatever is offered to her by her devotee."

and your thinking is more than 100% correct. Mother is mother, we donot have any distinctions or gunas to differ her on.

Actually, its my mistake.I could'nt rightly frame the sentence. What I meant by Tamasic goddess is that Chamunda is a firece form of Mother Kali, and as we all know, Kali is worshipped mostly by the shaktas, the Tantra-Sadhakas...

The METHOD of worship of Mother Chamunda is purely Tantric. The rites that have to taken during the puja are all to be Tantric. SO, non veg is offered...actually I should have written, The method of worship is Tantric.

Please forgive me for the mistake..

[Sandeep Das]

Sri Ramakrishna Saranam!

 

Sri Ramakrishna says – A person who eats tamasic food (even pork) but his/ her mind always dwells in God is superior to that person who lives on so called sattvic food but his/ her mind gets attracted to ‘Woman & Gold’.

 

‘Aahaar’ implies ‘Intake’. It includes each and everything which we take-in through our senses like eyes, ears, noses, tongue, skin and most importantly mind. That is, all sights seen by the eyes; all sounds heard by the ears; all fragrance smelt by the noses; all food tasted by the tongue; all touches felt by the skin; and all thoughts came to and entertained by the mind constitute’ Intake’ or ‘Aahaar’.  So, food is just a part of our ‘Aahaar’.

Therefore, even though we may eat the holiest of the foods but our intakes thorough other organs are unholy or impure then we have to consider ourselves as Non-Sattvic. Becoming highly sattvic by intake of food only will not at all make us religious/ spiritual.

Moreover, the nature of actions performed by us with energy produced by our intakes will show whether we are truly religious or hypocrites. That is, all actions performed by mind, body and words.

All intakes taken in and all actions performed as an offering to the Lord only is called “Sat” or Holy/ Eternal. Everything else is “Asat” or Unholy.

As taught by holy saints we must offer all food/ intakes to “That (The Lord)”, thinking Him/ Her (Holy Mother) as the source as well as the destination of everything (and “Everything” as only “That” (The Lord Himself).

OM

Brahmaarpanam Brahma Havir Brahmaagnau Brahmanaa Hutam
Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam Brahma Karma Samaadhinaha

Om

Brahman is the Offering, Brahman is the Oblation, Poured out by Brahman into the fire of Brahman,

Brahman is to be attained by one, Who contemplates the action of Brahman.

 

Srimad Swami Adbhutananda Maharaj ji  prayed to Lord Sri Jagannathji at Puri – “Oh Lord Jagannath! I may digest everything what so ever I may eat!”

 

 

OM TAT SAT!

[Shoubhik]

Sabuj..... Your answer is very illustrated....nice indeed

On 24 June, 13:11, Sandeep Das <sri.sandeep....@gmail.com> wrote:
> *Sri Ramakrishna Saranam!*
>
> * *
> *Sri Ramakrishna says – A person who eats tamasic food (even pork) but his/

> her mind always dwells in God is superior to that person who lives on so

> called sattvic food but his/ her mind gets attracted to ‘Woman & Gold’.*
> **

> *Srimad Swami Adbhutananda Maharaj ji  prayed to Lord Sri Jagannathji at
> Puri – “Oh Lord Jagannath! I may digest everything what so ever I may eat!”*
> **
>
> *OM TAT SAT!*

>
>
>
> On Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 10:44 AM, sabuj biswas <sabuj.1...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Respected Prabesh Ji,
>
> > "I think it is tha sadhak's own approach that determines what is offered to
> > the deity. The mother of the unvierse gladly accepts whatever is offered to
> > her by her devotee."
> > and your thinking is more than 100% correct. Mother is mother, we donot
> > have any distinctions or gunas to differ her on.
>
> > Actually, its my mistake.I could'nt rightly frame the sentence. What I
> > meant by Tamasic goddess is that Chamunda is a firece form of Mother Kali,
> > and as we all know, Kali is worshipped mostly by the shaktas, the
> > Tantra-Sadhakas...
>
> > The METHOD of worship of Mother Chamunda is purely Tantric. The rites that
> > have to taken during the puja are all to be Tantric. SO, non veg is
> > offered...actually I should have written, The method of worship is Tantric.
>
> > Please forgive me for the mistake..
>
> > --
> > Jay Mahamai ki Jay!!
> > Jay Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishnadev ki Jay!!

> > Jay Swamiji Maharajji ki Jay!!- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Prabesh Lohani]

Dear Sabuj ji,

Thank you for your illustration.

Om

[Sathish Kumar Emmadi]

Taken from Swamiji's Orkut community

I am always asked the question: "Shall I give up meat?" My Master said, "Why should you give up anything? It will give you up." Do not give up anything in nature. Make it so hot for nature that she will give you up. There will come a time when you cannot possibly eat meat. The very sight of it will disgust you. There will come a time when many things you are struggling to give up will be distasteful, positively loathsome. [CW 1.519]


I myself may not be a very strict vegetarian, but I understand the ideal. When I eat meat I know it is wrong. Even if I am bound to eat it under certain circumstances, I know it is cruel. I must not drag my ideal down to the actual and apologize for my weak conduct in this way. The ideal is not to eat flesh, not to injure any being, for all animals are my brothers. If you can think of them as your brothers, you have made a little headway towards the brotherhood of all souls, not to speak of the brotherhood of man![CW 2.298]

All exciting food should be avoided, as meat, for instance; this should not be taken because it is by its very nature impure. We can get it only by taking the life of another. We get pleasure for a moment, and another creature has to give up its life to give us that pleasure. Not only so, but we demoralise other human beings. It would be rather better if every man who eats meat killed the animals himself... [CW 4.4]

Rather let those belonging to the upper ten, who do not earn their livelihood by manual labour, not take meat; but the forcing of vegetarianism upon those who have to earn their bread by labouring day and night is one of the causes of the loss of our national freedom. Japan is an example of what good and nourishing food can do. [CW 4.487]


To eat meat is surely barbarous and vegetable food is certainly purer -- who can deny that? For him surely is a strict vegetarian diet whose one end is to lead solely a spiritual life. But he who has to steer the boat of his life with strenuous labour through the constant life - and - death struggles and the competition of this world must of necessity take meat. [CW 5.485]


Thanks,
Sathish

--
Thanks & Regards,
Sathish

[Santanu Gon]

A fantatstic discussion is going on and it is nice to read so many
informative texts from all of us. Thanks you everyone. However, I just
have one question:

(1) Why is meat (non veg) bad over veg? If we are considering the
fact that "We can get it only by taking the life of another. We get

pleasure for a moment,
and another creature has to give up its life to give us that
pleasure. Not only so, but we demoralise other human beings. It would
be rather better if every

man who eats meat killed the animals himself" then are we telling
that plants (I mean veg food) do not have life. Killing a plant or
plant body for our food is OK?

(2) For example, when we take "Saag" a very common Indian dish, we
uproot the young plants cut them - tear them and put them into hot oil
- isn't that in
human? That can't be inhuman if we say plants do not have life but
if we for a moment realise that they too have life - then what
happens?

(3) Lentils and peas - so much favorite amongst Indians, where do
they come from? Isn't that can be compared to staling a baby from a
mother's womb - as
inhuman and cruel like that !!! But only if we realise that plants
have life else.

(4) Do we say that only animals bleed and plants don't?

So drawing the line, which way do we go? Now referring to science and
scientific evidences, Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose, had concluded long
back on plants as living systems. Do we still disagree with him ? and
if we don't, then isn't it cruel killing a plant for food when we say

"To eat meat is surely barbarous and vegetable food is certainly purer

".

Have a blessed day - Best regards
Shantanu.