Hinduism and Vegetarianism - V

The last post will concentrate on what Sanatana Dharma Scriptures talk on Vegetarianism. Hindu scripture speaks clearly and forcefully on nonkilling and vegetarianism. In the ancient Rig Veda, we read: "O vegetable, be succulent, wholesome, strengthening; and thus, body, be fully grown." The Yajur Veda summarily dictates: "Do not injure the beings living on the earth, in the air and in the water." The Manu Samhita advises: "Having well considered the origin of flesh and the cruelty of fettering and slaying of corporeal beings, let one entirely abstain from eating flesh." In the yoga-infused verses of the Tirumantiram, warning is given of how meat-eating holds the mind in gross, adharmic states: "The ignoble ones who eat flesh, death's agents bind them fast and push them quick into the fiery jaws of hell (Naraka, lower consciousness)." A few other verses stressing on Vegetarianism are :
 

Those noble souls who practice meditation and other yogic ways, who are ever careful about all beings, who protect all animals, are the ones who are actually serious about spiritual practices.
- Atharva Veda Samhita 19.48.5. FS, 90.
 

You must not use your God-given body for killing God's creatures, whether they are human, animal or whatever.
- Yajur Veda Samhita 12.32. FS, 90
 

Meat can never be obtained without injury to living creatures, and injury to sentient beings is detrimental to the attainment of heavenly bliss; let him therefore shun the use of meat. Having well considered the disgusting origin of flesh and the cruelty of fettering and slaying corporeal beings, let him entirely abstain from eating flesh.
- Manu-samhita 5.48-49
 

He who permits the slaughter of an animal, he who cuts it up, he who kills it, he who buys or sells meat, he who cooks it, he who serves it up, and he who eats it, must all be considered as the slayers of the animal. There is no greater sinner than that man who though not worshiping the gods or the ancestors, seeks to increase the bulk of his own flesh by the flesh of other beings.
- Manu-samhita 5.51-52

Friends, this series is not about promoting Vegetarianism, but it's about clearing doubts of many who had these doubts. I have tried my best to clear a few doubts, and hope you are satisfied with the answers, if not you are most welcome to ask your question, for which I shall answer.

OM Shanti Shanti Shanti

- Abhimanyu