Hindu Law and Custom (Recht und Sitte) c11.56

c11.56

§ 59. *Rules of diet.* Eating pure food is considered to be more effective than all external means of purification. He who keeps himself pure in his nourishment is truly pure and not he who purifies himself only externally with earth or water (Vi. 22, 89). Of liquors spirituous ones (§§ 36, 58), and of solid foods meat, are strictly forbidden. 13 kinds of spirituous drinks, called *surā* or *madya*, are mentioned. Distillations of molasses, Madhuka flowers or rice-flour are called Surā; intoxicating drinks extracted out of sugar, grapes, cocoanuts etc. are Madya. Yet all these drinks are forbidden only for the Brahmans, while the Kṣatriya and the Vaiśya may enjoy them to some extent (Vi. 22, 82—84 ; M. 11, 91—99 ; Gaut. 2. 20). Meat-eating and alcoholism are in general placed on the same footing (M. 11, 96), yet the first sin is not considered to be a mortal one and the Smṛtis contain many relics of the Vedic animal sacrifice and a laxer conception of Ahimsā which declares certain animals to be eatable. Thus a well-known memorial verse says that an animal may be killed when entertaining an honoured guest, for a sacrifice and for the manes but never otherwise (M. 5, 41 ; Vas. 4, 6 etc.). Therefore, says Vas. 4, 7, the killing of animals in a sacrifice is no killing in the true sense of the word; in M. 5, 48, Vi. 51, 71 of course another principle is met with in its place: "therefore, one must avoid eating meat." According to M. 5, 56 it is no sin to take meat or spirituous drinks or to cohabit, i. e. if it takes place at the time fixed by law (cf. 5, 22, 27). Sheep, goats, antilopes, buffaloes and other animals shall be sacrificed specially at the sacrifices to the dead, and, as it is believed, their flesh satisfies the "fathers" for a longer period than vegetable offerings (Vi. 80 etc.). It is often expressly permitted to sacrifice even oxen and cows and then to eat their flesh (Āp. 1, 17, 30; M. 5, 18). The flesh of the rhinoceros, iguana, hare, porcupine, wild boar and the tortoise may be eaten any time (Vi. 51, 6 etc.). Birds of prey and many other birds cannot be eaten but the partridge, francolin, quail and the peacock are excepted from this prohibition (Vi. 51, 31). Fishes are likewise forbidden but here too some exceptions have been stated (Vi. 51, 21 etc.). The eating of wild animals if not fully allowed, is however less blameworthy than to eat household animals, particularly cows, house fowls, pigs and monkeys (Vi. 51 3 etc.). Generally, to avoid animal food is regarded as a special austerity of particular merit and thus it is not given as a compulsory rule (M. 5, 53 f. etc.). For this reason it has been ordained for the austerities during the period of impurity and for the ascetics that no meat can be eaten (§§ 55, 58). Of vegetable foods, garlic, leek, onion, mushroom and plants growing on excrements should be avoided. Also presents from low persons, food which is refused, leavings of a meal and food touched by impure animals or men cannot be taken (Y. 1, 160—171, 176 etc.).