Why do religions have both commandments to not kill and sacrifices involving animal killing?

by Chaitanya CharanNovember 24, 2013

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Chaitanya Charan
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  • krishna dasa
    October 20, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    The Satvata Tantra( patala 9 ) in the conversation of lord shiva and narada talks about this subject matter briefly as follows :

    shri-narada uvaca

    shrutam bhagavato vaktrat

    tantram satvatam uttamam

    tasmin himsa-nishedham ca

    shrutva me samshayo ‘bhavat

    Shri Narada said: I have now heard this scripture, the transcendental Satvata Tantra from your mouth, my lord, but even after hearing it I have a doubt about its prohibition of violence.

    vedena vihita himsa

    pashunam yajna-karmani

    yajne vadho ‘vadhash caiva

    vedavidbhir nirupitah

    The Vedas prescribe violence to animals in the context of sacrificial performances. The knowers of the Vedas say that this sacrificial killing is not killing in truth.

    tan-nishedhe katham shrautam

    smartam karma maheshvara

    vartate sarva-lokasya

    ihamutra-phala-pradam

    Why is this action, which is described in the Shruti and Smriti, and which brings good results in this life and in the next, forbidden.

    shri-shiva uvaca

    pravrittam ca nivrittam ca

    dvi-vidham karma varnitam

    shrutya smritya ca viprendra

    kamam kami-janaya vai

    Shri Shiva said: O best of brahmanas, for they who have material desires the Shruti and Smriti describe two kinds of action: 1. pravritta (pious action in the world), and 2. nivritta (renunciation of the world).

    pravrittam avirodhena

    kurvan svar yati manavah

    punyavasheshe bhu-prishthe

    karma-sangishu jayate

    When a human being engages in the pious activities of pravritta he goes to the realm of Svargaloka. When his pious credits are almost all used up he comes to the earth and is born among fruitive workers.

    nivrittam acaran yogi

    bhogeccha-tyakta-manasah

    prayati paramam siddhim

    yato navartate gatah

    A yogi, following the path of nivritta, in his heart renounces the desire for material enjoyments. He attains the supreme perfection and never returns (to this world).

    atha pravritti-nishthasya

    nana-kamanuraginah

    shad-vidhair niyamair vipra-

    bhyanujnaiva pradarshita

    O brahmana, a person who has many material desires and also has faith in the pious activities of pravritta, is bound by six restrictions.

    vidhir naivasti himsayam

    abhyanujna yatah krita

    ato nivrittir himsayam

    yajne ‘pi kathita budhaih

    There is no rule that one must commit violence. What is given is permission for violence under some circumstances. However, the wise say violence is forbidden, even in the course of Vedic sacrifices.

    ahimsa paramo dharmah

    sarva-varnashramadritah

    sa ca acarito nrinam

    nrinam abhishta-phala-do bhavet

    Non-violence is an important religious principle. It is honored by all varnas andd ashramas. It should be followed by human beings. It brings to human beings the fulfillment of their desires.

    visheshato vishnu-bhakta

    himsa-karma tyajanti hi

    ahimsaya hi bhutanam

    bhagavan ashu tushyati

    The devotees of Lord Vishnu specifically reject acts of violence. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is quickly pleased by refraining from violence to any living entities.

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