Acharya Prashant responds to a question from Irshad Ansari regarding the justification for eating meat, which is argued to be a practice as old as humanity and sanctioned by some religious texts. Acharya Prashant appreciates the dialogue and addresses the points systematically. He begins by agreeing that meat consumption is indeed an ancient practice but questions the logic of selectively following this one primitive habit while having abandoned all others. He points out that early humans were uncivilized, lacked culture, language, and even basic hygiene, much like animals. To cite the behavior of this primitive man to justify modern-day actions is an inconsistent and flawed argument. He then addresses the scriptural justifications, acknowledging that texts like the Manusmriti and Mahabharata do contain verses that can be interpreted to support meat-eating. However, he explains that in a vast and ancient tradition like Sanatana Dharma, which has evolved over thousands of years, one must look at the core principles rather than peripheral rules that may have been added or corrupted over time. He emphasizes that the essence of Sanatana Dharma lies in the Vedas and Upanishads, which are primarily concerned with the search for Truth (Atman/Brahman) and the nature of the mind, not dietary rules. The central philosophy of the Upanishads is Advaita (non-duality), which he equates with Ahimsa (non-violence). To see another being as separate and an object for consumption is to violate this fundamental principle of oneness. Regarding the argument that God created humans as omnivores, Acharya Prashant explains that God bestowed upon humans two unique gifts not given to other creatures: a yearning consciousness seeking liberation and the intellect or discretion (Vivek) to achieve it. While animals are bound by their nature, humans have the freedom and responsibility to use their discretion. The choice to eat meat, therefore, is not a divine command but a personal one. He argues that using religious texts to justify the gratification of one's taste is a misuse of the scriptures and a failure to use the faculty of discretion. He also connects the modern practice of meat-eating to global crises like climate change, urging the use of intellect to make a choice that is compassionate and beneficial for all.