Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c8.88

c8.88

Intoxication is coupled in Hindu ethics with the slaughter of animals. Kautalya definitely prohibits the slaughter of milch-cows, calves and bulls. Fifty panas was the penalty for killing or torturing them. If certain useful or pleasing animals such as elephants or horses, flamingoes, cuckoos, peacocks, parrots, certain ducks, pheasants or partridges were molested, the penalty was the first amercement. Nor could the deer, bison, birds and fishes in state-forests or otherwise declared under state patronage be killed or entrapped. Animals allowed for food must be killed in the slaughter-house. Fresh and boneless meat alone could be exposed for sale. A customer who had been served bony meat, was entitled to compensation. Rotten flesh, or the flesh of animals that had lost their heads, legs or bones, or which had expired suddenly, which had been killed outside the slaughter-house, was forbidden. To sell it meant a fine of twelve paṇas. The use of false balances must be compensated by paying eight times the difference.¹ It may be recalled that in the 3rd century B.C., Aśoka had discouraged the use of meat, severely interdicted all forms of cruelty to animals, and inculcated tenderness towards them.² Both Buddhism and Jainism threw their powerful influence on the side of vegetarianism. The ancient Indian code of humanitarianism towards animals has never been surpassed.