
Markandeya said: - -
1. O Yudhishthira, that virtuous fowler then said to that Brahmana, “The acts that I perform are certainly cruel, there is no doubt.
2. O Brahmana, Destiny in all powerful; it is difficult to overcome the consequences of our past actions. This is the Karma, evil arising from sins committed in a former life.
3. O Brahmana, I am always assiduous in eradicating this evil. The Destiny has already killed one when he is killed by another, the executioner is but an instrument.
4. O foremost of Brahmanas, we are but such agents in consequence of our Karma, O twice-born one, those animals that are killed and the most of which are sold.
5. Also acquire Karma, for the celestials the guests and servants are entertained and Pitris are gratified with this dainty food.
6. It is mentioned in the Shruti that herbs, vegetables, deer, birds and the wild animals are the ordained food for all creatures.
7. O foremost of Brahmanas, the son of Ushinara, Shibi of great forbearance, obtained heaven which is very difficult to obtain, by giving away his own flesh.
8. O Brahmanas, in the days of yore two thousand animals used to be killed every day in the kitchen of the king Rantideva.
9. And in the same manner two thousand kine were killed everyday. Rantideva daily distributed food mixed with meat.
10. O foremost of Brahmanas, that kind thus acquired unrivalled fame. For the four monthly festival, animal must daily be killed.
11. It is heard in Sruti, that Agni is fond of animal food. O Brahmana, in sacrifices animals are always killed by the Brahmanas.
12. O Brahmana, they thus sanctified by Mantras go to heaven. If Agni were not so fond of animal food in the days of yore,
13. Then it could never have become the food of any one else. O foremost of Brahmanas, the following rule about meat-eating has been laid down by the Rishis.
14. “Whoever eats animal food after duly offering it to the celestials and the Pitris does not commit any sin by eating it.”
15. It has been heard in the Shruti that such a man is considered to have taken no animal food, as a Brahmachari, if he holds intercourse with his wife in her season, is still considered to be a (good) Brahmana.
16. After due consideration of the propriety and impropriety of this matter, this rule has been laid down. O Brahmana, king Sudasha under a curse used to eat human flesh, -what harm is then when I do it (kill animals)?
17. O foremost of Brahmanas, knowing this to be the duty of my order, I do not give it up. Knowing this to be the result of my own acts, I earn my livelihood by doing it.
18. O Brahmana, to abandon one’s own duty is considered to be sin. To stick to one’s own duty is certainly a meritorious act.
19. The acts done before (in one’s own former birth) never leave any creature. In determining the various effects of Karma, the Creator did see it.
20. A man, being under the influence of evil Karma, must always consider ‘how he can do for his Karma and how he can extricate himself from an evil doom.’
21. There are various ways in which evil Karma might be expiated, such as, by making gifts, by speaking truth and by serving the preceptor,
22. By worshipping the order of the twice-born, by becoming devoted to virtue, free from pride and idle talk. O foremost of Brahmanas, I do these things.
23. Agriculture is considered to be a praise-worthy occupation, but it is well-known that even in it great harm is done to animal life. In ploughing the ground, various creatures and animal lives are destroyed.
24-26. O foremost of Brahmanas, do you not think so? Vrihi and other so called seeds of rice are all living organisms, -what is your opinion on this matter? Men hunt wild animals and kill them to eat their meat; they also cut up trees and plants. O Brahmana, there are innumerable animal organisms in trees and fruits,
27. And also in water, -do you not think so? O Brahmana, the whole universe is full of animals and animal organisms.
28-29. Do you not see that fish preys upon fish and various other species of animal’s prey on various other animals, and there are also some who prey upon one another.
30-31. O Brahmana, a man kills innumerable animals that live in the ground by trampling them by their feet. Even wise and learned men kill many animals in various ways when sleeping or resting. What have you to say to this? The earth and the sky are all full of animal organisms.
32. Which are unconsciously killed by men from ignorance, what have you to say to this? “Do not kill”, this commandment as ordained in the days of yore was laid down by men who did not know the real facts.
33. O foremost of men, who is there on earth who does not do harm to any creature? After full consideration, this is the conclusion (that I have come to) that there is none who has not killed an animal.
34. O foremost of Brahmanas, even the Rishis whose vows are not to destroy animals, (do destroy animals). Only on account of their very great care, they commit less destruction (of animals).
35-38. Men of noble birth and great accomplishment perpetrate wicked acts in defiance of all and they are not ashamed of it. Good men acting in an exemplary way are not praised by other good men, nor bad men acting in a contrary way are praised by other wicked men. Friends are not agreeable to friends, however accomplished they might be. Foolish pedantic men (ever) find fault with the virtue of their preceptors. Such reverses of the natural orders of things, O foremost of Brahmanas, are always seen (in this world). What is your opinion as to the virtuousness or otherwise of this state of things?
39. There can be said many things as regards the goodness or the badness of our actions. But he who sticks to the Dharma of his own order acquires great fame.
Thus ends the two hundred and seventh chapter, history of Pativrata, in the Markandeya Samasya of the Vana Parva.