Dear Friends,
Namaste!
We just discussed why the science of Yoga encourages vegetarianism for human beings. Now, let’s explore why even non-vegetarianism in moderate proportions is not unacceptable in Yoga.
a) Non-vegetarian food is protein-rich
Proteins, although more difficult to digest, are vital for growth of our body as well as its repair from the daily wear and tear. They are the basic building blocks and provide us with strength and muscle. Therefore, we must consume proteins in adequate quantities.
Vegetarian options such as milk and milk-products, sprouts, nuts and beans provide us with a good supply of proteins. However, the quantity and quality of proteins available in non-vegetarian options is unbeatable.
Therefore, if our daily routine involves a lot of physical work or requires great physical strength, we can supplement the vegetarian options with non-vegetarian ones. For example, athletes or soldiers can have their share of non-vegetarian food. (This is precisely why it was acceptable for“Kshatriyas” (the Warriors) to consume non-vegetarian food in ancient times.)
On the other hand, if our daily routine involves more mental or intellectual activities, the vegetarian options that supply proteins suffice. For example, teachers, scientists or students need to be mentally alert and should not burden their digestive system with rich proteins obtained from non-vegetarian diet. (The blood supply must go to their nervous system rather than digestive! This is precisely why it was *not* acceptable for“Brahmins” (the Intellectuals) to consume non-vegetarian food in ancient times.)
b) Eating local food is healthy
When in Rome, behave (read ‘eat’) like a Roman! Think globally but act (or eat) locally! Eating local food is healthy because Mother Nature provides what is suitable in a given environment. Traditionally, human beings have been eating what is locally available and have lived a hale and hearty life!
If people are living on the seashore, it is not unnatural that they would consume seafood. If certain human races have lived in environments where vegetarian options were scant, it is not unnatural that their food would be supplemented by non-vegetarian options.
With globalization, although virtually everything is available everywhere, it is still prudent to eat local and traditional food – and this may contain moderate portions of non-vegetarian food!
c) Non-vegetarianism maintains balance in the food chain
If all living beings in the world were to become vegetarian, the food chain will break. “Jeevah Jeevasya Jeevanam” (Living beings live off other living beings) is the natural law and order.
Similarly, if all human beings were to resort to vegetarianism, it will create a lot of imbalance in an otherwise orderly world. We will have less options, there may arise severe shortage of food, making vegetarian food available everywhere in required portions may become a logistical nightmare and sheer numbers of fauna, which otherwise would have been consumed and controlled, would explode out of all proportions!
d) Even great Yogis of the past were non-vegetarians
Yogeshwar (God of Yoga – Founder of Yoga) Lord Krishna was a non-Brahmin by birth. He Himself was a non-vegetarian (although, as we all know too well, he loved to get his proteins mostly from milk and milk products!). His dearest friend and disciple Arjuna the Great Warrior was a non-vegetarian. Gautam Buddha was a non-vegetarian (we know his last meal was infected pork – which also caused his death). Swami Vivekananda was a non-vegetarian. Sage Vishwamitra, in spite of being a Brahmin, once consumed meat just so that he could survive!
If non-vegetarianism was proscribed in Yoga, these definitely would not have been the cases! However, we know there is a myriad of “experts” who will sign an extreme view in blood (either “one MUST be 100% vegetarian!” or “all talk about vegetarianism being better is pure gibberish!”)
But we will not get drawn into any controversy. We know Yoga is flexible and accommodating. We know Yoga encourages anything that brings about health, wealth and happiness. We know Yoga promotes the middle, rather than any extreme, path because that is how Life survives, sustains and progresses. And finally, we know we have to do what is suitable for our own selves without compromising larger interests!
In conclusion, we can only say that being a vegetarian or not should be left to our individual discretion. We must weigh our lifestyle, profession, tradition, environment and taste very carefully and take an informed decision whether or not we wish to consume non-vegetarian food.
One thing is certain – if we decide to become (or remain) non-vegetarian by choice, we must not go overboard in partaking of non-vegetarian options. As we saw in the last article, proteins need to constitute only 20% of our overall food consumption. Also, it is advisable to get this 20% from healthier options (such as from vegetarian options and from fish and chicken rather than red meat).
Enjoy...
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