According to Jnanavatar Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, consumption of fruits and vegetables is natural and healthy for man, against meat and fish, which goes against his senses of smell, sound and sight. OSWALD PEREIRA writes about the Jnanavatar’s views on the subject
Man by nature is a frugivorous (feeding on fruit) animal, according to Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri. The fruitarian diet referred to by Swami Yukteswar includes vegetables, nuts and grains.
Swami Yukteswar, the guru of the great yogi Paramhansa Yogananda, is venerated as a Jnanavatar (incarnation of wisdom) by his disciples spread all over the world. He says, “In men of all races, we find that their senses of smell, sound, and sight never lead them to slaughter animals; on the contrary, they cannot even bear the sight of such killings.”
On the other hand, man finds the fragrance of fruits, delightful. Also, various grains and roots have an agreeable odour.
God created man to enjoy fruits and vegetables, as has been written in the Bible. “And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.’ ” Genesis (Bible) 1:29.
“Can flesh then be considered the natural food of man, when both his eyes and his nose are so much against it, unless deceived by flavours of spices, salt and sugar?” Swami Yukteswar asks.
In the frugivorous animals, the molars are broad-topped but not pointed for chewing flesh, observes Swami Yukteswar. In his book, The Holy Science, he points out that the formation of the teeth in man resemble neither the carnivorous nor the herbivorous or the omnivorous; they do resemble exactly those of the frugivorous animals.
Man’s stomach and digestive system are not suited for consumption of meat and fish, which is not his natural food, according to Swami Yukteswar. He adds, various grains, fruits, roots, ― and for beverage ― milk and pure water openly exposed to air and sun are decidedly the best natural food for man.
Other foods are unnatural and uncongenial to the human system and foreign to it. Being difficult to eliminate, they accumulate in the excretory and other organs. “When they cannot find their way out, they subside in tissue crevices by the law of gravitation; and being fermented, produce diseases, mental and physical, and ultimately lead to premature death,” Swami Yukteswar says in the book.
Given his views on the toxicity of a non-vegetarian diet, based on knowledge, wisdom and scientific data, Swami Yukteswar recommends a strictly vegetarian diet for children to ensure their proper growth and development, both physical and mental.
Children’s minds, understanding, will, principal faculties, temper and general disposition will be properly developed by adhering to a vegetarian diet, he concludes.
However, it must be pointed out that Swami Yukteswar did consume fish and eggs long before he was initiated into the monastic order. In early manhood, he was married but his wife died just a few years later; and their only child, a daughter, passed away as a young woman not long after her marriage.
Oswald Pereira, a senior journalist, has also written eight books, including The Newsroom Mafia, Chaddi Buddies, The Krishna-Christ Connexion, How to Create Miracles in Our Daily Life and Crime Patrol: The Most Thrilling Stories. Oswald is a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, and practises Kriya Yoga.
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A nice post indeed Oswald Pereira jee!
Animals live with both veg & non veg. Cows, Elephants, Deers and many animals both domestic and wild live on eating vegetables & plant. While Dogs, Cats, Tigers Lions are flesh eaters. The food habits of animals influence their nature.
Human basically designed to live on fruits & vegetables. Yet they have other options. But whst we take affects our nature.
Therefore in most of the religions and spiritual texts it is advised to take satwik food. Not only that Oswald jee! Even the timing of taking food affects our nature and body both. Therefore in our Ashram Dinner is served before 6.30pm in the evening.
I have seen some of our friends practice this satwik type of life. And i have found them patient, compassionate and gracefully alive in nature.
In our family my parents were taking nonveg once or twice in a week. That has influenced our choices too. But in my family my wife & daughter are vegetarian while myself and my son are used to take nonveg. Since now the family is only me and my wife our system has been vegetarian. Sometimes she arranges for some fish once or twice in a month for me.
Vegetarian diet hellps to maintain a balanced mind, creating a comparatively better sphere to inculcate human virtues.
Nice post Oswald jee!
Manas Das Jee, I agree vegetarian diet helps to maintain a balanced mind, creating a comparatively better sphere to inculcate human virtues.
The fact that veg and non veg cuisine coexisted in your household is a good example of allowing each other freedom to decide one’s own needs.