Meat Eating Saints? (In the Light of Theosophy)
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- Published: Saturday, 11 November 2023 16:41
Do saints commit sin if they consume meat? We hear that consuming rajasic/tamasic foods such as, junk food and meat, alcohol can not only harm one’s health but also hinder moksha or liberation. If consuming meat can have such serious consequences, then how some highly realized sages consumed meat? It is important to understand that spiritually realized people or Jeevan Mukta have risen beyond three gunas or qualities and hence what they eat does not affect their spiritual state or mind. In some cases, such beings smoked or consumed meat to take on bad karma or sins of certain devotees under exceptional conditions. Also, they intended to liberate the animals. The Gita (XVIII, 17) says that the one who is devoid of ego and free from any worldly desires and acts selflessly for the betterment of humanity, is not bound by karmic reactions of deeds that may look sinful. However, till such time that one reaches the state of spiritually realized sages, eating meat will result in sin and one’s downfall. One who kills animals for meat is unable to attain heaven or liberation. From the butcher, seller of meat, cook and the one who consumes is committing a sin.