Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 26 : The Renunciation of Flesh
 

Introductory Note

It must be noted that renunciation of eating flesh is included in ‘Ascetic Virtue.’ Thiru-valluvar does not include it in ‘Domestic Virtue,’ which is prescribed for the householder. It goes without saying that the householder is also free to give up eating flesh.There is a growing section of humanity which practices vegetarianism. Amongst religions, in Jainism all sects accept vegetarianism and it considered to be a high virtue in Jainism. In fact, Jain monks and nuns tie a cloth on their mouth so that they do not inadvertently breathe in small insects invisible to human eyes. They walk barefoot so that they do not inadvertently kill small creatures. They eat dinner before sun set so that they do not inadvertently swallow small creatures.

Translation(s)

How can the habit of ‘kindly grace’ be known to him who consumes flesh of other creatures to feed his own?

 

Translation(s)

They who do not guard their estate have no use of wealth. They who sate hunger with flesh have no use of grace.

Explanation

Former do not value wealth as unguarded, it will go away. Latter do not value grace as due to eating flesh, it will go away.

Translation(s)

The mind of him, who eats savory meat, can find no joy in good, like heart of them who bear murderous weapons.

 

Translation(s)

What is grace or lack of grace? “Not to kill” is this and “To kill” is that. To eat flesh can never fulfill worthy end.

Explanation

[A photo from India would be more appropriate.]

Translation(s)

If you do not eat flesh, the residences of life remain unharmed. Hell swallows him who eats and renders not.

Explanation

Living beings are called life’s residences.

Translation(s)

You say: We eat the slain. No living creature dies by us.” I pray: “Who will kill and sell, if none came there to buy the flesh?”

Explanation

If the butcher kills for us and we eat, the sin is still ours.

This verse brings the difference between followers of Buddhism and Jainism. The Buddhists might not slay, but might eat the slain. The Jains were forbidden to eat or slay.

Compare with Manu Smriti v.51

Translation(s)

They appease their hunger with the ulcerous wounds of other beings. If they felt they felt (the wounds), desire to eat must surely cease.

Explanation

Adjacent Photo:

"Roasted suckling pig is a traditional Mallorcean speciality dish. In the Mercat Olivar indoor market in Palma pigs are laid out on display ready to be bought and taken home or to a restaurant for roasting. Know as Lechona asada, at Christmas time roast suckling pig is in nearly every restaurant, and one way that it is cooked is with honey, lemon and thyme which makes for a delicious dish."
- casper duppy

Translation(s)

Those, whose souls perceive pure and passionless vision, do not eat bodies which living men bereave.

 

Translation(s)

Better than thousand rich oblations with rare libations, is not to share the flesh of slaughtered beings.

Explanation

Oblation here means offerings to gods – either money or in kind or otherwise. Libation means drink or food offered to a deity or ancestor during a ritual and then distributed to others.  

Poet advices not to give flesh on occasions like sacrifice. The sin we incur in doing so is more than the benefit from a thousand such ceremonies.

Translation(s)

All living beings adore with clasped hands at the feet of one who slays not and rejects flesh.

Explanation

"First, I hope no-one is not getting this photo too offensive. And then the story: Last summer I was in Italy, little town called Montefiascone. I just happened to walk by the butcher shop when that day's shipment arrived. I took a couple of shots and continued walking with a little down-mooded mind - poor pigs, they live their short life just to be butched - that's so unfair.."
- Jarkko Mehtala

Summary Note

Not eating flesh will mean that we will not kill and in turn will mean that we will learn to be kind to non-human beings. When we learn to be kind to them, we will automatically learn to be kind to human beings.

Whatever animals man eats for flesh today are grown and eating their flesh is not generally the cause of their being endangered (exception is Blue Whale). We domesticate and grow goat, hens, pigs and then eat. Not eating flesh of cow amongst Hindus must have to do with economic survival in some ancient times.Eating flesh meat is accepted amongst sections of follower all major regions like Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhist and Sikhs.

Here is an example of acceptance – a guarded acceptance – in Islam:

"Say: 'I find not in the Message received by me by inspiration any (meat) forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be dead meat, or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine? for it is an abomination or what is impious, (meat) on which a name has been invoked, other than Allah's.' But (even so) if a person is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience nor transgressing due limits? thy Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” - Prophet Muhammad (saw), Al Anaam 6.145, The Quran. [14]

There has always been a section of human beings who prefer vegetarianism – abjuring from flesh meat and this movement is continuously gain more and more adherents in the world. Jainism is one religion in which all followers are vegetarians.

Sunrise in Kanyakumari (India) with Thiruvalluvar Statue in Foreground.
1.7 Million Tourists Visited Kanyakumari in 2007.
Credit: S e l v i n, Flickr

References