Simran: Charan sparsh Maharaj ji. If the killing of living beings is a sin then is it not a sin to cut trees and use wooden sticks in havan?
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you, my daughter. It is a traditional truth that our ancient Rishi-Munis and their disciples used to collect the broken, dry wooden sticks that had fallen under the trees. Those twigs were used for havan and cooking purpose. The totally dried up trees were also cut and used.

Several trees got hit and fell down in storms, cyclones etc. However, nowadays, it is sad that green trees are being cut. Reason behind that people are not performing daily havan/yajyen and as a result, sufficient pure rain does not fall which used to give rise to new plants and lush vegetation in return. And in the absence of Vedas’ knowledge, very few know that plants also have soul. Main point is also there that if people would know about the fact of soul of plants/trees, it would not make any difference because people are also consuming non-vegetarian food, in the absence of knowledge of Vedas. Vedas strictly prohibit non-vegetarian and addiction and severe punishment is inflicted over the defaulters. So, we the Indians should try to spread the knowledge of Vedas, to avoid pollution, non-vegetation, addiction, corruption and unnecessary felling of trees.

Manisha: Swami ji parnam. My question is why we cannot eat meat? I am vegetarian but my friends are non vegetarian. I really want to give them the right answer.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you, my daughter.
Vegetarians
Vegetarians and non-vegetarians are two categories. Accordingly the construction of body i.e., teeth, small intestine and large intestine, and digestive system has been made by God.

Human beings come in vegetarian category. Our teeth and digestive system always differ from cat, dog, lion etc. Some animals like cow, buffalo, goat, elephant etc., also come in Vegetarian category. We take water by sipping but the animals who are non-vegetarian i.e., meat eater they do not sip but lick. Whatever we eat, that food develops our mind and body and creates natural behaviour. For example if we take a cub who is newly born and nurse him by giving milk and thereafter vegetarian food only and on the other hand to another cub we provide him meat, then when they will be younger their habit will differ. The cub taking vegetarian food will be as violent as the cub who took meat.

Now medical science also says that the energy in vegetarian food is more than that in non-vegetarian food. Vegetarian food gives long and ill free life. Vegetarian elephant is stronger than non-vegetarian lion.

Nobody can take meat until one gives violence to animals or birds etc., which is a sin. Our stomach becomes a graveyard where we gather meat by eating. As regards life in vegetarians it does not harm to them while plucking from plants etc. because every vegetarian plant has short life and is meant to give food to the human life. But to us meat is not entitled. Science has recently told that non-vegetarians are more susceptible to cancer disease and teeth degeneration as compared to vegetarians.

Non-vegetarian food is prohibited as per Vedas, shastras, Upnishads and all the ancient holy books. In vegetarian food an ocean of calories and vitamins is available by the mercy of God. Please check from a dietician about the same. Because it is lengthy one and I cannot explain here. For example dal, is full of proteins, soybean has more protein than any non-vegetarian food, which has ability to inhibit cancer also where as non-vegetarian doesnot. Green vegetables like palak, methi, etc., are the richest source of iron and vitamin A. So is the case of milk, curd, rice, fruit, etc., -etc.

GOD STRICTLY PROHIBITS NON-VEGETARIAN FOOD:-
In the Rigveda Mantra 10/27/6 God states “SHRITPAAN” those who suck the blood of others and consume their flesh (DARSHAM) I am looking at them/know them (VA) and (DHRISHU SAKHAYAM) I also see/know those who are God- believers/God-fearing and thus struggle against the consumers of flesh and blood (YE NINILUHU) thus they do not praise me but are thankless persons. So (PAVYAHA VAVRITYUHU) my wrath/anger would fall (Uu Nu) definitely and immediately (ESHU) on them.

Idea: – God being Omnipresent and Almighty, sees/knows very well those who are consumers of flesh and blood and soon He punishes them badly. So human-beings should not have non-vegetarian food.

Atharvaveda Mantra 6/140/1 states-
“YAU VYAGHRAVAVROODHAU JIGHATSATAHA PITRAM MATRAM CHA.
TAU DANTAU BRAHAMANNASPATE SHIVAU KRINNU JAATVEDAHA.”
(Atharvaveda Mantra 6/140/1)

The Devta of this mantra is “Brihaspati, Danta”.

Meaning:- (YAU) The teeth (VYAGHRAU) like the teeth of wolf (AVROODHAU) have been generated (PITRAM MATRAM CHA JIGHATSATAHA) wants to kill mother and father i.e., wants to take flesh. So Oh! (JAATVEDAHA) omnipresent God (BRAHAMANNASPATE) lord of knowledge of Vedas may (TAU DANTAU) those teeth (SHIVAU KRINNU) be beneficial for us so that we may not be non-vegetarian.

The meaning of Shivau is auspicious, friendly, beneficial. Deep consideration of the mantra would reveal that our teeth will only be beneficial /friendly to others when we will not be even think about inflicting violence to others. That is why, Mantras states that teeth should not consume flesh, it being sin. Manusmriti also states that without inflicting violence on others, meat can not be taken. So one must always avoid non-vegetarian food.

Subha: Namaskar swamiji, please give me a remedy for drishti of young widow. if I and my husband talk happily in front of her, immediately there quarrelling between me and my husband. Please help me.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you, my daughter. There is nothing bad or evil about drishti of young widow. You know, every lady has special power to judge the bad views of either men or women. So, please check, if quarrel takes place based on any doubt or quarrel can start based on other family/children related matters which should not be linked to any widow. However, remedy is very clear then do not laugh before her.