In response to a question about the special importance given to certain animals in mythological ideologies and what Vedanta says about it, Acharya Prashant explains that Vedanta is very clear and straightforward on this matter. He begins by defining Sanatan Dharma as the welfare of consciousness. This is the definition of Dharma: to lead the mind towards the Atman, or in other words, the welfare of consciousness. This definition does not specify 'human' consciousness; it applies to consciousness wherever it exists. The welfare of consciousness itself is Dharma, and nothing else. Acharya Prashant elaborates that consciousness, in its fundamental form, is one and the same, regardless of the body it inhabits. He quotes Kabir Saheb, who said, "The pain of all is one, be it a chicken, a deer, or a cow." The fundamental identity of consciousness is suffering and bondage. The pain is the same for all. The basic tendencies like anger and maternal affection are found in all beings, from humans to animals and birds. Therefore, consciousness is fundamentally the same in all, though its expression may differ. To understand Vedanta is to realize that the consciousness in any being is one's own consciousness. If the welfare of consciousness is Dharma, one cannot give liberation to one consciousness and death to another. To cause pain to any being is to cause pain to oneself, as it stems from the ego's illusion of separation. He further quotes Kabir Saheb to condemn animal cruelty and meat-eating. Kabir says that a meat-eater is a demon in human form and their company should be avoided as it disrupts one's spiritual practice. He also criticizes any scriptural justification for violence, quoting Kabir: "Kabir says, the Vedas are teaching adharma as dharma if they sanction such acts." He dismisses the argument that if one can kill plants, one can also kill animals, by explaining that a human, with a higher consciousness, should not behave like a dog. He also quotes Kabir's verses that mock the hypocrisy of those who kill animals for religious reasons or for food, stating that they are ignorant of the true Self (Ram) and are only heading to hell. The fundamental right of any living being is the right to live, and to take that away is the greatest uncivilized act, born only of the argument of might.
