Acharya Prashant explains that the fundamental question regarding violence is not about the act of killing itself, but about the nature of the killer. He distinguishes between animals and humans, noting that animals like lions are pre-programmed by nature to kill for survival and lack the higher consciousness or choice to do otherwise. They operate like machines, following biological scripts without the capacity for virtue or vice. In contrast, human beings possess high consciousness and the ability to make decisions, making them responsible for their choices. If a human compares their dietary habits to those of a wolf or a lion, they are debasing their own higher potential. He acknowledges the biological reality that life must consume life to survive, but emphasizes that humans have the choice to minimize the level of consciousness they consume. While plants and animals both possess consciousness, the consciousness of an animal is significantly higher than that of a plant. Therefore, a conscious human should choose to consume lower forms of life to keep violence to an unavoidable minimum. He argues that while absolute non-violence is impossible for a living body, one must avoid what is avoidable. Killing animals for food is avoidable and thus should be rejected by those seeking to live consciously. Furthermore, Acharya Prashant asserts that true compassion and dietary changes must be rooted in spirituality rather than just physical or environmental concerns. He suggests that movements like veganism often struggle because they lack spiritual moorings. He points to India's history, where a large portion of the population has traditionally avoided meat not due to modern movements, but because of a spiritual foundation that naturally begets compassion. He concludes that while religion has its faults, its contribution to fostering a more compassionate consciousness through spiritual understanding is a significant benefit that should be preserved and expanded.