Second Moral Code - Not to Eat Flesh - Shunning of Violence

What is flesh?

First of all let us understand the gross meaning of the term 'flesh'.

Flesh means meat, non-vegetarian diet. Pious scriptures have forbidden to consume flesh and blood of animals or birds. Even if the animals, birds or fish are killed by someone else, by consuming meat which is sinful the consumer definitely feels violent more or less. All the persons who commit, instigate, inspire, encourage or support the act of violence or cruelty are all bound by the sinful Karma of violence. Later on, none of them could escape the consequences of their Karma. In this world with the help of power or money, they can escape the punishment, but nobody can evade the law of Karma of nature and nobody can slip away from the punishment as per that law. In front of this law, their power, capacity, wealth, privileges or influence are futile or useless. Thus, in the world which is created by omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient Supreme God, the law of Karma is constant and abiding. Here, only God or His Muktas can interfere, but they also do that under special circumstances only. Otherwise, they do not make unnecessary changes.

Non-vegetarian diet can increase Rajasik and Tamasik tendencies. It can cause mental aberrations like lust, anger, enmity, jealousy, envy, hatred, inertia etc.. It can generate lack of spiritual insight and grasping power. It destroys the purity and Satwik attributes of mind. At present, violence, terrorism, hatred, disharmony, corruption etc. are prevalent in the world on large scale which are due to harmful addictions and non-vegetarian diet. Each and every sensible person in the society should accept this fact.

If we observe the wild animals like lion, tiger, leopard, bear etc., they look angry, furious and violent. They look restless and fierce, because they are flesh-eating animals. Whereas a huge and powerful elephant which is grass-eater looks peaceful and quiet. This difference is due to different food habits. In western countries intake of non-vegetarian food and alcohol-drugs etc. into intoxicants is more compared to our country. Therefore, western people have more Rajasik and Tamasik attributes than Satwik attributes. They have progressed more in attaining worldly achievements, but as far as spiritual evolvement is concerned they are at par with animals. They have more number of cases of free sex, licentiousness, violence, adultery, assault, rape, theft etc. in their society. In our country also crimes like murder, rape, assault are committed under the influence of alcohol etc. addictions and non-vegetarian food. This is found out by the researchers. Rate of crime is lower among the societies where people are vegetarian and living religious and pious life.

Many people consider themselves belonging to higher class of the society. They adopt non-vegetarian diet and intoxicants as a fashionable life-style. They consider vegetarian people as old fashioned, weak and vain. They get addicted to non-vegetarian food and intoxicants and commit various types of crimes like violence, adultery, rape, theft, cheating, kidnapping, exploitation of poor, gambling etc.. They consider this as their achievement, but they do not realize that alongwith themselves they are misleading their next generation also towards destruction and hopeless future. It is too late when they realize their mistakes in old age or on their deathbed. Their children also despise them. They are left alone with dejection, remorse and frustration. Now, westerners also are fed up with materialism and are attracted towards our spirituality. They are longing for mental peace and we ignore our glorious heritage and do not hesitate to imitate their life style which is totally devastating. This is really shameful. Western people respect our Indian culture and are adopting meditation techniques Yoga, devotion, classical, music, art, literature etc. to attain peace of mind. They are giving up addictions and non-vegetarian food and adopting vegetarian life style. This is really significant fact.

Some people believe that non-vegetarian food can make their bodies strong and healthy. They also believe that people having non-vegetarian food are stronger than the people having vegetarian food. This is not at all true, because scientists have proved that peanuts are more nutritious than eggs or meat. Non-vegetarian people also forget that brutal instincts resulting from non-vegetarian food leads towards barbarism. Western sports like free style wrestling, karate, boxing etc. display nothing but violent instincts. It looks as if two bulls are fighting. Any thoughtful person would notice mere barbaric instincts.

Only material growth is not the real growth for humanity, because it is certain that material growth is not permanent, sooner or later it diminishes. Spiritual evolvement of consciousness, higher state of consciousness, progress on the path of salvation etc. are the indications of real growth for humanity. Spiritual evolvement of consciousness can never be destroyed, therefore it is the real evolution.

There was an interesting report on Mad cow Syndrome. It mentioned that raw meat contains certain viruses which cannot be destroyed even while cooking. These viruses can cause a number of diseases. Sick animals are given heavy doses of antibiotics. People who are consuming meat of such animals also get the side effects of these medicines. So when they are sick, heavy doses of antibiotics do not cure them. In the end, such patients die miserably. Scientists have found out that when an animal is slaughtered, it is frightened and certain hormones are released from its endocrine glands into blood. For example, hormones like adrenalin, non-adrenalin, cortisole etc. are released into blood. By consuming such meat which is full of toxins, the eater develops various mental abnormalities and psychosomatic diseases.

Each and every living being on this Earth has equal right to live. As per ecological science, every living being is a part of great natural cycle. By destroying or interrupting this cycle, ecological equilibrium is disrupted. As a result, the frequency of natural calamities and natural disasters increase, which we are facing quite often.

As per law of Karma, when an animal is killed and its flesh is eaten, sin is accumulated for this violent deed. It has been mentioned in Bhagvad Gita that ‘कर्मार्णां गहनां गतिः’ concept of Karma is inexplicable. All the Karmas, good or bad, are recorded by the spiritual power of God which is prevalent everywhere. Binding Karmas adhere to the causal body of a soul in form of inherent qualities.A soul has to go through the consequences of his Karma. When an innocent animal is being killed, its consciousness experiences unbearable pain. When the consciousness of an animal leaves the body, it realizes that some particular person has killed it. Therefore, it curses the killer out of misery. The killer and all those people who helped, encouraged or consented the act of killing and the person who consumed the meat of the animal - all of them have to suffer the consequences. Due to killing the animal has to die before its time, so its soul has to be born once again as an animal. Thus, the killer creates hindrance in evolution of a soul and accumulates the sin. The meat eater also develops demonic qualities. A meat-eater could definitely loose his desire to eat non-vegetarian food if he could imagine himself in place of the animal which is killed and try to think seriously about the pain of that animal at the time of being killed. Meat eaters should try out this technique with total emotional involvement. This technique is really useful for those who want to give up non-vegetarian food and adopt vegetarian life style.

Some people also argue that plants are also living beings just like birds and animals. So, by eating vegetarian food also we are committing violence, so we must be accumulating sin.

The response to such baseless argument is that God has created nutritious and nourishing plants through mother nature which are eatable and beneficial for our physical growth. Here also scriptures have forbidden the vegetarian food which increases Rajasik and Tamasik tendencies and creates imbalance in body and mind. Therefore, it is necessary to have properly balanced vegetarian food. For example as per some doctors and vaidyas, plants like onion, garlic etc. have some medicinal properties, which are useful for body, but they are very harmful for mental and spiritual well-being. For example garlic is helpful in diseases related to heart, but it also generates Rajasik and Tamasik qualities in mind, which generates desires to enjoy sensual pleasures and also increases stress and anger. Its overall effect is more harmful for heart as well as for total well-being of a person. It also creates obstacles on the path of spiritual progress. Some people also try to prove their points in unfair manner that if it is not eatable, why nature has created it? Nature has also created cactus and other poisonous plants, but nobody eat these plants, because they could be dangerous for life. Therefore, such arguments are useless. God has given us insight to differentiate between meaningful - meaningless, proper - improper. We must utilize it. Therefore, it is appropriate to have only that vegetarian food which would generate Satwik attributes in mind and nourishes the body. Creator of all, Supreme Lord has decided that man must have vegetarian food. Therefore, such food is not objectionable. Natural formation of mouth and teeth of a man is appropriate for vegetarian food only. Formation of mouth and teeth of wild animals like lion, tiger, wolf, leopard, cheetah etc. is different and appropriate for non-vegetarian food. By having vegetarian food, Satwik attributes are developed gradually. One's inner conscience is also purified and develops Satwik attributes and its capacity to understand subtle spiritual principles increases. Purification of conscience depends on pure food. When conscience is purified, its dullness decreases and grasping power increases. Once spiritual principles are understood clearly, spiritual evolvement of consciousness accelerates.

Eating vegetarian food is not considered as violence towards plants, because consciousness of plants is not fully developed, so plants are almost non-living objects. They do not experience pain while we cut them. Also, intellect, insight or various emotions are not developed in plant consciousness. They undergo only external growth naturally. Some scientists have observed that plants can feel certain kind of sound waves created by music as well as they can feel certain kind of touch. Plants definitely have soul, so naturally they can feel the effect of sound waves or touch, but this does not prove that they can experience pain also, just like animals. Because consciousness in a plant is not sufficiently developed to experience happiness or pain, it is possible that sound waves or touch can create certain vibrations in plants, but we can not say that they experience pain when we cut them or they experience peace and happiness when we caress them. In fact, sound waves of music can create vibrations in the atoms of non-living objects also.

Some people also argue that even milk is an animal product. It is developed from the various nutrients in animal's blood. Therefore, milk should not be consumed. Milk should also be considered as non-vegetarian food just like eggs. As an egg contains protien, carbohydrates etc. nutrients, milk also contains similar nutrients. Therefore, both the products should be considered as non-vegetarian food. This is a misconception, because milk is produced due to affection and emotions of a mother towards her child. Here, a mother does not experience pain, but experiences love and affection. It is a totally Satwik food. It is the first food for a new born baby. We also drink milk of cow, buffallo, she- goat etc. and we have a right to do that. Because man has been protecting and raising these animals for thousands of years. These animals have become a part of human civilization for thousands of years. By raising and protecting these animals, man has achieved the right to use their milk. After providing sufficient milk for their calves, man can utilise remaining milk.

Egg is produced as a byproduct of sexual feelings of a bird. There is a possibillity of developing it into a baby bird. So, eating an egg is linked to violence. Also egg as food generates Rajasik and Tamasik tendencies. Its intake flares up lust, anger etc. intense passionate feelings. Modern scientists also say that certain components of egg raise the level of cholesterol in blood as compared to milk. Some people try to convince that the eggs which are fertilized artificially could be considered as vegetarian eggs. This is not appropriate, because in this process also a bird suffers. The bird anticipates naturally that the bird will come out of the egg. So its feelings are hurt, which could be considered as violence. An egg is alive, whereas milk is not alive. It is a misconception that the egg which is not fertilized is vegetarian, because soul is present in latent state and it is not possible to verify through microscope if there is soul present in the egg or not. Because a soul can not be observed using any physical instrument. Thus an egg should be classified as non-vegetarian food. Similarly fish, crab, earthworms etc. are non-vegetarian food. Also grains, pulses, fruits, sweets, dry fruits etc. should be considered as non-vegetarian food if they are not cleaned properly and contain insects etc.. Consumption of unstrained water, milk, ghee, oil etc. is as bad as consuming non-vegetarian food. Therefore, such substances should be cleaned properly before using them. Food should be prepared with pure and pious body and mind and should be offered to God. Then it should be eaten remembering God and having peaceful mind. By offering food and other objects to God with full devotion, omnipresent God manifests into idol form and accepts the devotion of a devotee and blesses the food with His divine sight and makes the food pious. Therefore, food and other objects reduce their Rajasik or Tamasik qualities and they become pure and Satwik. This is the secret of offering food to God before having it. Cooked food available in market which is not prepared hygienically and food bought by the money which is earned by cheating, hurting somebody or by deceitful means are also as harmful as meat. Medicine given by dubious doctor or vaidya or medicine which is mixed with alcohol or meat should not be taken. Here the term 'dubious' implies that the medicine which has been prepared by a Vaidya who is immoral and having bad conduct and who has prepared medicine to fulfill his selfish motive or to earn money through hypocrisy or by cheating the patient, should not be consumed. Consumption of such medicine should also be considered as consumption of meat. It is not appropriate to take the medicine given by a Vaidya or a doctor who is not trustworthy, except during some emergency or under unavoidable cricumstances. Such medicines may improve physical health, but mental health is jeopardized. That means mind becomes corrupt which is not advisable for a seeker. At times, we have to take help from hospitals, nursing homes and unknown doctors to treat various types of ailments which is required as per time and place. After undergoing such treatments, penance and worship to God can be performed for purification. If possible, it is appropriate to get the reference of good doctors or vaidyas and consult them. Our body is not the door leading to hell. It is the best medium to attain salvation. Therefore, it should be looked after like temple of God. It is an insult to ignore our well-being and it is harmful also.

Thus, giving up non-vegetarian food is the gross apparent meaning of second moral code of conduct which is 'shunning the violence'. Now, let us understand the subtle meaning.

'Renouncement of violence' does not mean to give up physical violence only. Here, all kinds of subtle violence which could be performed through thought, act or speech are indicated. For example to be angry out of jealousy, hatred or just to satisfy one's ego or to injure someone or hurt someone. It is violence to hurt somebody physically or emotionally to fulfill one's selfish motives or due to some mental perversion, to tell lies, speak abusive words, use vulgar language or to hurt someone's feelings by cursing him or her, to think bad about someone, to think or act to harm someone are all acts of violence. It is also violence to declare somebody's secret to fulfill one's selfish motive or out of jealousy or hatred, to accuse someone who is innocent, to speak truth which could offend someone or which could harm someone, to hurt someone emotionally through unpleasant, contemptuous and harsh speech.

To violate the rules of hygiene out of lethargy and invite disease, to indulge into impure and inappropriate fun and frolic, excessive enjoyment of sexual and sensual pleasures, to work more than one's capacity, to roam around at unhygienic places without any purpose, to eat unhygienic food, to pass on one's infectious diseases to someone else out of negligence are various types of violence. To hurt one's ownself by spoiling body and mind through intoxicants and ill-habits, to deviate others forcibly towards intoxicants and ill-habits are also violence.

To embarrass or make fun of someone, to derogate or humiliate someone in a group or society, to treat someone in such a way that he or she develops inferiority complex, to find faults in someone though he is not faulty etc. are all acts of violence.

To throw garbage in the house, outside the house, in the compound, gardens, on the road or in any public place, to excrete, spit anywhere and spread pollution of dirt, to spread noise pollution by making unnecessary noise in rude and improper manner, by spreading commotion, by playing radio, T.V., tape-recorder in full volume, by dancing on loud music, to spread air pollution by smoking bidi, cigarette, tobacco, by using certain poisonous chemical and fuels, to spread air and water pollution by certain chemical factories by ignoring the laws etc. are various types of violence.

To misuse power and authority, to stretch the limits of one's dominion, to give one's word about something and not to fulfill it, to disobey one's commitment etc. are also acts of violence.

To discourage, depress or demoralize someone through unenthusiastic speech, to torture someone physically or mentally by scaring him or her are also acts of violence. To demand dowry from bride's family, to burden them etc. are acts of violence from groom's side. To become a burden by staying at some place as a guest for a long time, to pay less than what was promised, to make someone toil, to exploit someone physically, mentally or financially etc. are acts of violence. Treachery towards one's country, to damage national property, smuggling, black marketing, tax evasion, corruption etc. are also acts of violence. To make someone slave through power of money, authority, rights or influence, to oppress someone with the help of anti-social elements or police are acts of violence.

It is violence to discourage a seeker on spiritual path who is performing various means to attain salvation by talking in pessimistic manner. It is violence to misguide someone and make him perform vey hard and (inhuman) rigid austerity, recitation, fast, penance, sublimation of bodily passion or keeping him awake at night. Body should not be treated as a door to hell, but it should be treated as a temple of God and it should be looked after with care. Cultivating such understanding is non-violence.

It is violence to praise, admire or flatter somebody in excessive degree who is not virtuous by getting carried away by emotions, affection or obligation or to accomplish one's own selfish motive. Because such superficial praise satisfies his ego. So he becomes more conceited and arrogant and misbehaves and spoils his own and other's life.

To create hatred and enmity among people because of one's own jealousy and malice and make them fight, to flare up communalism or casteism by spreading rumours are types of violence. It is violence if a doctor or vaidya misguides a patient, charges more money by prescribing improper or unnecessary medicines or treatment or if a lawyer or a judge convicts an innocent by false arguments or faulty judgements.

A human should never be killed by any means. This has been emphasised by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Because in this world, human incarnation is the highly evolved physical manifestation of soul-consciousness. Human body is considered rarely available to deities also, because spiritual evolvement of consciousness is possible only in human beings. Therefore, killing of a human being is the biggest violence and the biggest sin. Some scriptures have allowed to kill an oppressive person or a sinner. They do not consider it as an act of violence, but this concept is not totally appropriate. Because it is more appropriate to give him a chance to correct his ways through counselling than punishing him. Through proper guidance he can transform from Valia robber to sage Valmiki. Therefore, killing a human being is a bigger sin compared to violence of any other living being and its consequences are far more severe.

It is violence to take advantage of simplicity or innocence of ladies, children or youth and force them or trick them into committing immoral deeds or to exploit them sexually, physically, mentally or financially.

It is violence to listen cowardly when someone makes derogatory remarks about saint, Mukta or God Himself or criticizes or insults them. If one is not capable of stopping him, then he must move away from there, but he should not tolerate such irreligious activity. Inspite of being capable, if someone does not stop or restrain a sinner from committing sin and remains a witness to such sinful deed or tolerates such misbehaviour, then it is violence. Because such behaviour indicates indirect consent to a sinner in committing sin. For example, when Duryodhan and Dushashan pulled Draupadi's clothes, Bhishma Pita was present there and he was also able to stop, but he did not protest. Thus, to justify, sanction or agree silently with someone, who is performing sin, due to affection or obligation towards him is also a violence. To donate one's wife, to sell small girls, to sell one's own children, to perform child marriages, to force one's children into marriage, to force small children to work etc. are various types of violence. Now, government has also declared child labour as illegal.

It is violence to attempt suicide or hurt or injure oneself in case one's reputation is damaged, one is insulted, one has failed in some undertaking, one has some physical, mental, financial or spiritual confusion or one has committed some inappropriate deed. If other people also feel inspired by one's inappropriate or immoral conduct and imitate it, then it is also considered violence. Bhagwan Swaminarayan has mentioned in Shikshapatri that mistakes committed by great people or saints should not be imitated, because all great saints are not perfect, therefore there is a possibility of committing mistakes by them, also.

It is violence to live in a place out of attachment, where there is a possibility of loosing one's life or wealth, harrassment from king, possibility of spreading some epidemic, danger to one's life, bad and unfavourable circumstances which could harm one's reputation. Under such adverse conditions it is advisable to shift to some peaceful and happy place and worship God happily. One should not prolong one's stay under unfavourable circumstances.

A Mukta who is self-realized as well as God-realized and who has attained divine state do not get distracted from their divine state by place or time etc.. So, this statement cannot be applied to such Muktas, but it is valid for those whose conviction is not firm enough and who have not attained divine state of being.

The most subtle form of violence is the suicidal tendency of one's consciousness which gets distracted from the path of truth and God-realization and gets attracted towards sensual pleasures and bad conduct by the mind and senses and attains disgrace. It is futile to be born as a human being if we cannot attain unity with divine form of God, because it is difficult to obtain human birth even for deities. Therefore, this is the biggest and most subtle form of violence.

‘अहिंसा परमो धर्मः’ Thus to renounce various types of gross and subtle forms of violence, and to strictly follow non-violence by keeping all the senses under control is considered as proper observance of the second moral code of conduct which is 'Shunning of violence.'