Text 250] Explanations of the Atmarama Verse 219

SYNONYMS

narada kahe—Narada Muni replied; ardha mdarile—by half-killing the animals;
jiva paya vyathd—the living beings suffer too much pain; jive duhkha ditecha—
you are giving troubles to the living beings; tomara—your; ha-ibe—there will be;
aiche avastha—the same suffering in retaliation.

TRANSLATION

“Narada Muni replied, ‘If you leave the animals half-dead, you are pur-
posefully giving them pain. Therefore you will have to suffer in retaliation.’

PURPORT

This is an authoritative statement given by the greatest authority, Narada Muni.
If one gives another living entity unnecessary pain, one will certainly be punished
by the laws of nature by a similar pain. Although the hunter Mrgari was un-
civilized, he still had to suffer the results of his sinful activities. However, if a
civilized man kills animals regularly in a slaughterhouse to maintain his so-called
civilization, using scientific methods and machines to kill animals, one cannot
even estimate the suffering awaiting him. So-called civilized people consider
themselves very advanced in education, but they do not know about the
stringent laws of nature. According to nature's law, it is a life for a life. We can
hardly imagine the sufferings of one who maintains a slaughterhouse. He endures
suffering not only in this life, but in his next life also. It is said that a hunter, mur-
derer or killer is advised not to live and not to die. If he lives, he accumulates even
more sins, which bring about more suffering in a future life. He is advised not to
die because his dying means that he immediately begins to endure more suffering.
Therefore he is advised not to live and not to die.

As followers of the Vedic principles, we accept the statements of Narada Muni
in this regard. It is our duty to see that no one suffers due to sinful activities.
Foolish rascals are described in Bhagavad-gitd as mayaydpahrta-jnanah, which indi-
cates that although they are superficially educated, maya has taken their real
knowledge away. Such people are presently leading human society. In Srimad-
Bhagavatam they are also described as andha yathandhair upaniyamdandh. These
rascals are themselves blind, and yet they are leading others who are blind. When
people follow such leaders, they suffer unlimited pains in the future. Despite so-
called advancement, all this is happening. Who is safe? Who is happy? Who is
without anxiety?

TEXT 250

aid ofa, S14 aa—aw arate corala |
qaatal foal Ta —e AM SATA Wee |
