Acharya Prashant discusses his visit to Bihar to address the violent religious festival of Gadhimai in Nepal, where millions of animals are sacrificed every five years. He highlights the irony that Bihar, the land of Buddha and Mahavira, is the primary source of animals for this slaughter. He notes that despite a 2014 Supreme Court order and subsequent state government directives to stop the illegal export of livestock for sacrifice, the practice persists. Acharya Prashant shares that his meeting with the Chief Secretary of Bihar was successful, receiving assurances that the state will strictly prevent the transport of animals to Nepal for the upcoming sacrifice in December 2024. He explains that animal sacrifice stems from a distorted understanding of religion, which he terms 'folk religion,' characterized by superstition, casteism, and exploitation. Acharya Prashant argues that true religion, as found in the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, is meant to liberate humans from internal darkness and ego. He clarifies that the term 'sacrifice' in spirituality refers to the symbolic killing of the ego, not the physical killing of innocent beings. He emphasizes that the Upanishads are the supreme authority in Sanatana Dharma, and any practice like animal sacrifice that contradicts them must be rejected. He asserts that priests who encourage sacrifice for fulfilling desires are acting irreligiously. Acharya Prashant further discusses the broader impact of spiritual education, noting that his foundation works to bring clarity to thousands of people, leading them toward vegetarianism and social reform. He addresses the vulnerability of uneducated sections of society, particularly women, to superstition, advocating for both worldly and spiritual education. He concludes that while administrative measures are necessary to stop immediate violence, the long-term solution lies in purifying the human heart through the true essence of religion. He remains hopeful that Bihar will reclaim its legacy of non-violence and stop being associated with the cruelty of the Gadhimai festival.
