[Although I tried to make the post as short as possible, ommitted too many references from Vedas and other Scriptures, its quite a long post.
I request you all to please read each line of this post patiently and carefully.]
Meat eating had been an integral part of Hinduism since vedic period. We have scriptures full of verses which prescribes animal killing and meat consumption as a lawful act. We have tons of information and description in the Vedic texts proving all the way that even early Brahman used to consume beef. Then how this myth of being vegetarian got associated with the religion Hinduism.....!
Well, if we closely look at the history meat eating was a very common and normal practice in Hinduism. It was until Ashoka that he got converted to Buddhism and strictly prohibited killing of animals in his kingdom. That time was critical and most difficult for religion Hinduism. People who were oppressed by caste system and fedup of ediotic rituals of Hinduism started converting to Buddhism. Out of many one of the main reason was, killing there finest cattle and give majority parts to the greedy Brahmans at times of any celebration. The Hindu Brahman who ruled even the kings started looking like foools after the meat ban by Ashoka. The Brahmans decided not to obey a king who is not even Hindu and found an alternate, they started propagating that killing of cattles is prohibited in Hinduism. One who does not wish may not kill. Later and gradually this fake idea grew so firm among the Hindus that they now believe that being a non-vegetarian is an essential part of Hinduism.
ACCORDING TO THE UPANISHAD
“He who wishes, “May as son born to me, who will be a reputed scholar, attend assemblies, speak words that one likes to hear, be versed in all the Vedas and attain full longevity” Should have rice cooked with beef that of a young mature bull and with his wife eat it mixed with ghee. Then they will be able to produce such a son.
[Brahadaranyaka Upanishad Ch 6 Sec 4 Mantar 18]
[Link:- http://hinduonline.co/Scriptures/Upanishads/BruhadaranyakaUpanishad6Eng.html]
Even the so called God Rama has been described in Ramayana as a slayer of animals and a meat eater.
Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya
Chapter[Sarga] 52: Verse 87,88 & 89
Sita prays river ganga for safe return of rama and promises for sacrifice of meat dishes—
सा त्वाम् देवि नमस्यामि प्रशंसामि च शोभने |
प्राप्त राज्ये नर व्याघ्र शिवेन पुनर् आगते || २-५२-८७
गवाम् शत सहस्राणि वस्त्राणि अन्नम् च पेशलम् |
ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रदास्यामि तव प्रिय चिकीर्षया || २-५२-८८
सुराघटसहस्रेण मांसभूतोदनेन च |
यक्ष्ये त्वाम् प्रयता देवि पुरीम् पुनरुपागता || २-५२-८९
87,88) "Oh, charming goddess! I, Sita, greet you and extol you too. When Rama the tiger among men safely returns and regains his kingdom, I shall give away a lakh of cows, soft clothing and food to brahmanas with intent to please you."
89) "Oh, goddess! After reaching back the city of Ayodhya, I shall worship you with thousand pots of spirituous liquor and jellied meat with cooked rice well prepared for the solemn rite."
Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya
Chapter[Sarga] 52: Verse 102
Rama and lakshmana used to hunt animals and eat there meat in the forest—
तौ तत्र हत्वा चतुरः महा मृगान् |
वराहम् ऋश्यम् पृषतम् महा रुरुम् |
आदाय मेध्यम् त्वरितम् बुभुक्षितौ|
वासाय काले ययतुर् वनः पतिम् || २-५२-१०२
Having hunted there four deer, namely Varaaha, Rishya, Prisata; and Mahaaruru (the four principal species of deer) and taking quickly the portions that were pure, being hungry as they were, Rama and Lakshmana reached a tree to take rest in the evening.
One out of many examples of meat-eating permitted in Hinduism:
Ayodhya kanda, Chapter 20, verse 29---
Rama says to his mother--
चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि वत्स्यामि विजने वने |
मधु मूल फलैः जीवन् हित्वा मुनिवद् आमिषम् || २-२०-२९
"I shall live in a solitary forest like a sage for fourteen years, leaving off meat and living with roots, fruits and honey."
An estimated 20 to 30% of all Hindus are vegetarians. Majority sects of Hindus do not observe vegetarianism. The Rig Veda (10.87.16-19) speaks about the flesh of the cattle and the horses:
"The fiend who smears himself with flesh of cattle, with flesh of horses and of human bodies,
Who steals the milch-cow's milk away, O Agni,—tear off the heads of such with fiery fury."
[ Rig Veda 10.87.16]
Some consider this as a disapproval of the cow slaughter and meat eating in general. Others put it in the context of demons and evil spirits (Yātudhāna) stealing the cattle and the milk, and mention that the beef eating was common in the Vedic times.
Though alternative translations by great Hindu scholar and founder of Arya Samaaj, SWAMI DAYANAND SARASVATI, reject such EDIOTIC claims and give the 'correct' interpretations and translations in the light of the Brahmanas and Vedangas. According to Dayananda and Yaska, the author of Nirukta (Vedic Philology), Yātudhāna means Cattle -eaters (Yātu - Cattle / flesh of Cattle + Udhāna - eaters/ consumers). Please visit this link for authentic translation of Rig Veda by Swami Dayanand Sarasvati, for your own review:
http://www.aryasamajjamnagar.org/rugveda_v5/rugveda.htm
Multiple Rigvedic verses, contain references to the slaughter of cattle, horses and other animals, as well as meat eating.
"In Magha days are oxen slain, in Arjuris they wed the bride."
— Rig Veda (10.85.13)[12]
Link:- http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv10085.htm
"When thrice the men lead round the Steed, in order, who goeth to the Gods as meet oblation,
The goat precedeth him, the share of Pūṣan, and to the Gods the sacrifice announceth."
— Dirghatamas, Rig Veda (10.162.4)[13]
Link:- http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv01162.htm
"What part of the Steed's flesh the fly hath eaten, or is left sticking to the post or hatchet,
Or to the slayer's hands and nails adhereth,—among the Gods, too, may all this be with thee.
Food undigested steaming from his belly, and any odour of raw flesh remaining,
This let the immolators set in order and dress the sacrifice with perfect cooking."
— Dirghatamas, Rig Veda (10.162.10)[14]
Link:- http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv01162.htm
"They who observing that the Horse is ready call out and say, the smell is good; remove it;
And, craving meat, await the distribution,—may their approving help promote labour.
The trial-fork of the flesh-cooking caldron, the vessels out of which the broth is sprinkled,
The warming-pots, the covers of the dishes, hooks, carving-boards,—all these attend the Charger."
[Dirghatamas, Rig Veda 10.162.12-13]
Link:- http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv01162.htm
The Atharva Veda bans only the eating of the raw flesh and the flesh of live human:
"Those who eat flesh uncooked, and those who eat the bleeding flesh of men,
Feeders on babes unborn, long-haired, far from this place we banish these."
[ Atharva Veda 8.6.23]
Link:- http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/av/avbook08.htm
The Yajurveda mentions Ashvamedha or the horse sacrifice, Gomedha or Cow sacrifice and even Purushamedha or the Human sacrifice(Yajurveda (VS 30–31)).
Ashvamedha was one of the most important royal rituals of the historical Vedic religion of ancient India. It is described in detail in the Yajurveda (TS 7.1-5, VSM 22–25 and the pertaining commentary in the Shatapatha Brahmana ŚBM 13.1–5).
Link 1:-
Link 2:- http://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/5/7/5
It is mentioned in both Krishna and Shukla Yajur Veda, but this ritual mentioned in Krishna Yajur Veda is obscure because the translator has omitted those verses,
Krishna Yajur Veda 7.4.19
"The wicked horse is sleeping. O fair one, clad in fair raiment in the world of heaven be ye two covered ….{…several verses omitted from original translation…}
Link:- Sacred-texts.com
I am reproducing the translation of Krishna Yajur Veda by a renowned Indologist,
Krishna Yajur Veda 7.4.19
"In the heavenly world be you two completely covered. [Queen says]- I will urge on the impregnator, you will urge on the impregnator; let the two of us stretch out our four legs. [Adhvaryu says]- Let the stallion, semen-producer, produce semen [insert semen]. Bring the penis into the two thighs, drive along the erect and unctuous one which is women’s living enjoyment, which is their hole-runner [cleaner], women’s dear secret (pleasure) which has hit the sardigrdi (clitoris?) in their black (haired) mark… This little bird which creeps around saying ‘ahalam’ knocks the penis into the slit; the vulva devours it."
It is mentioned in Shukla Yajur Veda,
Yajur Veda 23.19-21
"All wife of the host reciting three mantras go round the horse. While praying, they say: ‘O horse, you are, protector of the community on the basis of good qualities, you are, protector or treasure of happiness. O horse, you become my husband’. After the animal is purified by the priest, the principal wife sleeps near the horse and says: ‘O Horse, I extract the semen worth conception and you release the semen worth conception. The horse and principal wife spread two legs each. Then the Ardhvaryu(priest) orders to cover the oblation place, raise canopy etc. After this, the principal wife of the host pulls penis of the horse and puts it in her vagina and says: “This horse may release semen in me. Then the host, while praying to the horse says: “O horse, please throw semen on the upper part of the anus of my wife. Expand your penis and insert it in the vagina because after insertion, this penis makes women happy and lively."
The Harivamsa Purana says,
”After the passage of some time, king Janamejaya, who offers plenty of tributes (in sacrifices) observed the horse sacrifice as ordained. Devi Vapushtama, the daughter of the king of Kashi, went and slept with the slain horse, according to the ritual as prescribed. Seeing the queen with beautiful limbs, Vsava (Indra) desired her. Entering the body of the dead horse, Indra had intercourse with the queen.”- Harivamsa Purana, Bhavishya Parva 3.5.11-13, Tr. A. Purushothaman and A. Harindranath.
[ http://mahabharata-resources.org/harivamsa/bhavishyaparva/hv_3_005.html ]
These verses are too vulgar to comment. My question is if horse sacrifice (Ashvamedha Yajna) does not include copulation with the horse, then why did Indra entered the body of the horse when he could have done it with his own body? As copulation with dead horse is part of the ritual, Indra thought that no one will come to know if he enters the body of the dead horse and copulates with the queen. This verse clearly shows that Ashvamedha does include copulation with the dead horse this is why the Vedic god Indra who couldn’t resist his lust entered the body of the horse and successfully copulated with the queen and no one stopped it as copulation is part of the ritual where the Queen sleeps naked with the horse, they both are covered up with a cloth and she places the Penis in her private part. Further the Sutras also mentions Chief Queen’s copulation with the dead horse.
It is mentioned in Apastamba Srauta Sutra 20.17.12-18 that the Chief Queen recites some Slokas (mentioned in Yajurved) and then all the wives of the king circumambulates the horse, fan it, tie their hairs on the right side of their head. Ramayana tells us that queen Kaushalya the mother of Hindu god Ram had spent a night with the horse.
Valmiki Ramayan, Bala Kanda 1.14.33-35
”With great delight coming on her Queen Kausalya reverently made circumambulations to the horse, and symbolically killed the horse with three knives. Queen Kausalya desiring the results of ritual disconcertedly resided one night with that horse that flew away like a bird. Thus, the officiating priests of the ritual, namely hota, adhwaryu and udgaata have received in their hand the Crowned Queen, the neglected wife, and a concubine of the king, next as a symbolic donation in the ritual by the performer, the king.”
Link:- http://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga14/bala_14_frame.htm
The Purushamedha or Human sacrifice was also practiced in Hinduism, and there are proof of a human being sacrificed. Purushamedha (or, 'Naramedha', literally translated, "human sacrifice") is a Vedic yajna (ritual) described in the Yajurveda (VS 30–31). The verse describes people from all classes and of all descriptions tied to the stake and offered to Prajapati.
However, in a late Vedic Brahmana text, the Vadhula Anvakhyana 4.108, actual human sacrifice and even ritual anthropophagy is attested: "one formerly indeed offered a man as victim for Prajāpati," for example Karṇājāya. "Dhārtakratava Jātūkarṇi did not wish to eat of the ida portion of the offered person; the gods therefore exchanged man as a sacrificial animal with a horse." References to anthropophagy are also found in Taittiriya 7.2.10 and Katha Samhita 34.11.
One can find a detailed description of one such human sacrifice and cannibalism in The Aitareya Brahmana, which tells the story of a sacrifice carried out by King Harischandra. The childless king asked Varuna to provide him with a son, and in return, Varuna asks him to sacrifice the child to him. Harischandra delays the performance of the sacrifice and allows his son, named Rohita, to grow older. Eventually, Rohita wanders into the forest to find a substitute for himself. He comes across a poor Brahmin named Ajigarta, who sells his son Sunahsepa to him. Sunahsepa is bound to the stake, but he frees himself by reciting some mantras that were taught to him by Vishvamitra. This story is reproduced in the Bhagavata Purana. One can find a detailed deccription in Srimad Bhagavatam, canto 9, chapter 7.
Link:- http://www.srimadbhagavatam.org/canto9/chapter7.html
Although most Hindus would deny the concept of Purushamedha or the Human sacrifice, like they do for cattle or cow sacrifice. But the truth is that the Aghori’s, the followers of Shiva; and the followers of Kali do practice the rituals involving human sacrifice as well as cannibalism.
Why cannibalism???
Why not.......! Its mentioned in the Laws of Manu to consume meat of the sacrificed and has been considered as a praiseworthy and royal practice.
Manu Smriti: Chapter 5: Verse 31-32
“31.'The consumption of meat (is befitting) for sacrifices,' that is declared to be a rule made by the gods; but to persist (in using it) on other (occasions) is said to be a proceeding worthy of Rakshasas.
32. He who eats meat, when he honors the gods and manes, commits no sin, whether he has bought it, or himself has killed (the animal), or has received it as a present from others.”
Since Hindu claim there religion to be the one oldest of all religion and that it started as humanity itself started, we find that it was not but Hinduism that gave idea and started the practice of cannibalism.
So the conclusion is, we started to dig the roots of meat eating in Hinduism and discovered the seed of cannibalism. This is the true face of Hinduism which everybody must be aware of.
Hope that was interesting as well as enlightening.
