Beef eating in early Hinduism: "Verily, the cow is food"

by Guest Sat Aug 02, 2014 12:01 pm

A survey of ancient Indian scriptures, especially the Vedas, shows that amongst the nomadic, pastoral Aryans who settled here, animal sacrifice was a dominant feature till the emergence of settled agriculture. Cattle were the major property during this phase and they offered the same to propitiate the gods. Wealth was equated with the ownership of the cattle.

Many gods such as Indra and Agni are described as having special preferences for different types of flesh - Indra had weakness for bull's meat and Agni for bull's and cow's. It is recorded that the Maruts and the Asvins were also offered cows. In the Vedas there is a mention of around 250 animals out of which at least 50 were supposed to be fit for sacrifice and consumption. In the Mahabharata there is a mention of a king named Rantideva who achieved great fame by distributing foodgrains and beef to Brahmins. Taittiriya Brahman categorically tells us: `Verily the cow is food' (atho annam via gauh) and Yajnavalkya's insistence on eating the tender (amsala) flesh of the cow is well known. Even later Brahminical texts provide the evidence for eating beef. Even Manusmriti did not prohibit the consumption of beef.

In therapeutic section of Charak Samhita (pages 86-87) the flesh of cow is prescribed as a medicine for various diseases. It is also prescribed for making soup. It is emphatically advised as a cure for irregular fever, consumption, and emaciation. The fat of the cow is recommended for debility and rheumatism.

http://www.thehindu.com/2001/08/14/stories/13140833.htm

by Guest Sat Aug 02, 2014 1:54 pm

When the Vedic Hindus were eating beef, why is it wrong for hindus of today to eat beef?

by FluteHolder Sat Aug 02, 2014 2:11 pm

I highly doubtful of your/link's claim that they ate meat/cow. There were misinterpretation of language/words esp for 'asva/horse meat' which meant something else too. Unless what you say is comes from a authentic sanskrit source, it will be hard to believe.

Even if it was true, it might have happened when agriculture was not well known or possible.

If you like it go ahead and enjoy! No need to justify to others. Watch the movie 'saivam' in any Vellore cinema theater where they screen 'hindi' movies too.

by Guest Sat Aug 02, 2014 2:51 pm

FluteHolder wrote:I highly doubtful of your/link's claim that they ate meat/cow. There were misinterpretation of language/words esp for 'asva/horse meat' which meant something else too. Unless what you say is comes from a authentic sanskrit source, it will be hard to believe.

Even if it was true, it might have happened when agriculture was not well known or possible.

If you like it go ahead and enjoy! No need to justify to others. Watch the movie 'saivam' in any Vellore cinema theater where they screen 'hindi' movies too.

I am unable to eat beef because I have a mental block against eating it.

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Beef eating in early Hinduism: "Verily, the cow is food"

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