Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.25.8
Ūti· What drives us to actRecognize Responsibility for Animal Killing
“All these animals are awaiting your death so that they can avenge the injuries you have inflicted upon them. After you die, they will angrily pierce your body with iron horns.”
What the purport teaches
- Nārada warned that the sacrificed animals awaited the King’s death to avenge their injuries. He wanted the King to recognize the danger of excessive animal sacrifice.
- Even a small discrepancy in a sacrifice could prevent the animal’s promotion to human life. The sacrificer would then be responsible for the animal’s death.
- Those who permit, perform or help with slaughter, as well as those who purchase, cook or eat the meat, share responsibility for the killing. Animal killing is therefore not encouraged even in sacrifice.
Try this today
Avoid purchasing, cooking or eating meat today as a concrete step away from participation in animal killing.
Ask yourself
How might my choices make me indirectly responsible for harm to animals?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.