The immorality of animal sacrifice
The idea that an animal should be killed during a sacrifice is — and was — a misinterpretation of the scriptures by ignorant or cunning Brâhmins.
The 26th chapter of the Uttara Kânda of the Tantric text, Rudra Yâmalam, says
Punyâpunya Pasum Hatvâ Jnâna Khadgena
This means:
the cow of Punya and Apunya should be killed with the sword of knowledge
Punya means all deeds done with the egoistic pride — ‘I have done it’. Apunya means sins done out of ignorance. Both these are done due to lack of the correct knowledge about one’s Self, the relation between God and Soul, and the Life-Centric Laws of the universe. They must be removed with the ‘sword’ of correct knowledge, given by the Sadguru.
Killing of animals goes against the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (World Is One Family).
Such ignorant acts are cases of two-legged animals killing four-legged animals!
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I am interested in a proper explanantion- as in the Vedas they prescribe clearly and in detail the ashwamedha sacrifice (horse sacrifice). It is highly ritualistic and performed by many prominent characters in hindu stories (Rama after returning to Ayodha)
Are there any explanations? As it is clearly laid out in many stanza and therefore cannot just be a “mis-translation” as the vedic text actually goes into incredible detail.
Therefore I am at a loss.
Dear Bhakta,
in Swamiji’s book ‘Reflections on Hinduism‘ Swamiji has given a detailed explanation of the misconcept of Ashwamedha sacrifice and has described the real meaning of each and every sanskrit word describing the ‘sacrifice’. In brief, the horse (Aswam) has a spreading quality (Asu Vyaptau) due to its speed and senses. This quality is compared to the spreading nature of the universe, and each organ of the horse to the functional organs of the world/universe. Thus the sensual nature of the universe is compared to the horse, and one must sacrifice attachment to the senses to attain the Infinite. There is no relation whatsoever to killing the animal. it is like saying ‘give me your hand’ to pull someone, does it mean that you must cut off your hand and give it?
I hope some of your queries are thus satisfied. The detailed explanation is there in the book .
jai Sita Ram.