In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna continuing the discussion on the key characteristics (“Gunas”) that we should develop within ourselves, so as to walk the path of “Bhakti Maargam”. We’ve seen the last three characteristics in yesterday’s episode and after explaining all of these, Bhagawan clearly spells out to Arjuna that He dwells in the hearts of those people who constantly are in practice with these “Atma Gunas”. Of course, developing these “Atma Gunas” within us might sound pretty easy, but might be very difficult to implement and follow in real life. We shall witness a few examples in today’s episode as to why it might be difficult and why we need to take that extra effort to implement these “Atma Gunas” in our everyday life.
For instance, we’ve seen in the previous episode that refraining from hurting / killing other living beings is also one of the “Atma Gunas”. This might sound very easy, but in practicality are we practising this? We shall start with a small example here – If we see a mosquito or a fly coming near us, what will be our immediate reaction? We will try to kill the mosquito, won’t we? If there’s an insect like a cockroach or a spider or an earthworm that we spot at any corner of our house, what will be our immediate reaction? We would only try to crush that poor insect to death, wouldn’t we? If we see a group of ants passing by, what will be our immediate reaction? We would only try to kill all of them, wouldn’t we? For this killing purpose, we’ve also found out a few chemicals and mechanisms as well in today’s context! This is what Bhagawan does not want us to do. Instead of killing that insect, can we take a piece of paper, take the insect carefully on it and put it outside, so that it can crawl and go somewhere else? If we see a group of ants, can we do something to divert their direction without killing them? This is what we’ve to practise consciously and if we do so, it implies that we’re following Bhagawan’s “Atma Gunas” explanation.
At the same time, we might have a query here – Oh! We’re consuming non-vegetarian food items. By doing so, we’re ending up killing many animals for it. Is it against the “Atma Gunas” that Bhagawan Krishna is mentioning here? The answer is very simple here – Of course, yes! We are ending up killing animals for satisfying our own appetite. This is why in those days, we had a practice that atleast whenever we’re trying to offer prayers and other spiritual offerings to Bhagawan, it is better to avoid non-vegetarian food as much as possible. Of course, I’m not saying that we should completely avoid non-vegetarian food. It depends upon people, professions and situations in life that many of us might have to undergo. Hence, I’m not getting into that discussion for the time being. However, what I’m trying to say here is that, even if we can’t avoid non-vegetarian food 100%, we can try and minimize it to whatever extent possible for us, right? In similar lines, we might even point out milk products as well by saying that when we draw milk from the cow, we’re hurting the mother cow. Actually it is not the case. When the mother cow milks its calf, the calf can drink the milk only to a certain extent and not fully. If the remaining milk stays in the mother cow’s body, it can turn infectious for her and this is why we take off the remaining portion of the milk from the mother cow. Hence, by drawing milk from the holy mother cow, we’re only trying to help her alleviate infections, and in the process, we’re not hurting her in any way. Of course, torturing the mother cow for producing milk artificially through injections, etc. is always considered to be a torture and such things should be avoided.
Hence, we should clearly understand this point in-depth as to what is considered to be hurting and what is considered otherwise. However, the point remains that Bhagawan Krishna requests us to not unwantedly hurt any living being. So for today, let us understand this point clearly and we shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 