Re: Question about Meat, Alcohol, and Sex
Originally Posted by
ScottMalaysia
Alcohol is used in some Hindu rituals. In Ampang, Malaysia, I saw a statue of the South Indian God Sanggili Karuppan (also called Karuppu Sami) at the back of a Muniswarar temple.
As you can see, some Guinness (which isn't even vegetarian) has been placed in front of Him as an offering. During the puja, I was very surprised to the see the priest light a beedi (a type of Indian cigarette) and place it in Sanggili Karuppan's mouth!
Namaste Scott
Beautiful example. Almost in all discussions we get polarised and fail to see the essence. I realise that i have been a constant fixture in polarisation, all through. Yajvan Ji will smile and say "Yes. Your natal Sun and Moon are 180 degress apart -- that is why."
There is a bhakti book called Shiva Bhakta Vilasam, which tells stories of extraordinary Shiva bhaktas. There is a story of hunter Kannapar who loves Shiva by feeding Shiva meat from his own mouth and washes Shiva with his spit. The conventional priest was shocked by all this. But Shiva humiliates the righteous priest in favour of Kanappar. The story is a must read for all of us. Kanappar did not hesitate to give up his two eyes for the benefit of Lord.
There are two key aspects:
1. Cultural perspective: Kanappar was a hunter and knew probably nothing else but killing and meat eating. From that environment, he loved God more than the conventional priest ever could do. So, what should Lord do?
For this, I believe, it is unwise to blindly criticise practices of others.
2. Pranapratistha: Idol that we worship is our own prana. It is established externally for worship purpose. Often, Shiva Linga is propitiated by betel leaves and other items of popular consumption and that may appear asastraic to many brahmanas. However, it is sweet to offer Lord with love whatever that one consumes. Since, ultimately it is Lord, as agnivaisvanara that is the bhoktar -- the enjoyer. Also, it is the bhava that is important. And hypocrisy, in my opinion, is low.
The main goal remains freedom from bondage of sensual prison and towards that, Meat, Alcohol, and Sex are more of detriments than helpful. Veda and Dharma Shastra, as noted by Isvasya, do recommend moderation/abstention. On the other hand, sexual congress with mate in the night, when engaged with the knowledge of sacrifice, is described as Brahmacharya in an upanishad (sex during day is warned against). Thus, IMO, it is more important to be true to one's one's own pracitices.
Om Namah Shivaya
Last edited by atanu; 20 June 2010 at 01:41 AM.
That which is without letters (parts) is the Fourth, beyond apprehension through ordinary means, the cessation of the phenomenal world, the auspicious and the non-dual. Thus Om is certainly the Self. He who knows thus enters the Self by the Self.
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