Acharya Prashant addresses the misconception that killing bacteria through breathing or farming is equivalent to killing animals for food. He explains that human existence is inextricably linked with millions of microorganisms; they live on our skin, in our mouths, and in our intestines. If physical killing alone were defined as violence, then the mere act of existing, breathing, or blinking would be considered violent, which is an impractical and incorrect definition. Violence is not simply the death of one organism due to the existence of another; it is a choice made by a conscious being. He distinguishes between natural necessity and conscious choice. A lion is not 'violent' because it is biologically programmed to eat meat and lacks the higher consciousness to choose otherwise. Humans, however, possess the consciousness to choose between compassion and selfishness. Violence occurs when a person has the option to act with mercy but chooses to kill for their own petty pleasure or taste. While breathing or eating plants may cause minimal, unavoidable harm to microorganisms, it is a necessity for survival. In contrast, eating meat is a choice made for sensory pleasure, as humans can survive perfectly well on a plant-based diet. Acharya Prashant further clarifies that even killing is not always violence if it is done for a higher spiritual purpose or self-defense, citing Shri Krishna's instructions to Arjun. He argues that true non-violence means living without causing unnecessary suffering to others when a choice is available. He dismisses common excuses used to justify meat-eating, such as comparing it to killing viruses or bacteria, labeling them as dishonest arguments rooted in a lack of compassion and an addiction to taste. He concludes by quoting Arthur Schopenhauer, stating that a truly cultured and noble mind must inherently possess love and compassion for animals.
