Tirukural

CHAPTER 26

Abstaining from Eating Meat

251

How can he practice true compassion who eats the flesh of an animal to fatten his own flesh?§

252

Riches cannot be found in the hands of the thriftless, nor can compassion be found in the hearts of those who eat meat.§

253

He who feasts on a creature’s flesh is like he who wields a weapon. Goodness is never one with the minds of these two.§

254

If you ask, “What is kindness and what is unkindness?” It is not-killing and killing. Thus, eating flesh is never virtuous.§

255

Life is perpetuated by not eating meat. The jaws of Hell close on those who do.§

256

If the world did not purchase and consume meat, no one would slaughter and offer meat for sale.§

257

When a man realizes that meat is the butchered flesh of another creature, he will abstain from eating it.§

258

Insightful souls who have abandoned the passion to hurt others will not feed on flesh that life has abandoned.§

259

Greater than a thousand ghee offerings consumed in sacrificial fires is to not sacrifice and consume any living creature.§

260

All life will press palms together in prayerful adoration of those who refuse to slaughter or savor meat.§