Acharya Prashant addresses the common justification for meat-eating, specifically the phrase 'one living being is the food of another.' He argues that if all living beings were truly equal, humans would not hesitate to eat their own family members or themselves. He emphasizes that humans possess consciousness, which allows for choice and discernment. This consciousness must be used to decide what is appropriate to consume, rather than blindly following physical capabilities like the ability to chew or digest meat. He points out that even though humans can digest stolen goods or human remains, they refrain from doing so due to ethical and conscious choices. He further distinguishes between plants and animals, noting that while plants are alive, they lack the same level of consciousness and nervous systems as animals. He refers to meat-eaters as 'consumers of corpses,' highlighting that society recognizes the 'corpse' of an animal but never of a vegetable. While acknowledging that consuming plants involves a minimal level of violence necessary for survival, he contrasts this with the significant violence involved in slaughtering animals like goats, cows, or chickens. He compares the different levels of violence to different levels of legal crimes, suggesting that one should strive for the minimum possible harm. Ultimately, he urges listeners to reduce their burden of sins and avoid extinguishing the life in another's eyes just for the sake of sensory pleasure.
