Question: In your Krishna Consciousness literature it is always mentioned that the Supreme God is Lord Krishna, who is also known as Govinda, the protector of the brahmanas and the cows. People who know about Vedas or about Indian culture can understand and accept this. How can a man of a different religion or a different region accept this? How can we convince others that everybody in the universe is governed by the dietary laws of Vedas?
Answer by Romapada Swami: Based on time, place and circumstance, based on the particular needs of the people, apparently different teachings may be presented in different systems of bona fide religions. We do not deny the existence of such instances of differences, but that does not indicate a fundamental contradiction.
There are many apparent discrepancies in teachings, found amongst diverse religious traditions, but a deeper study and a scrutinizing eye will often catch the ultimate non-difference of ethics amongst systems of religion that are actually bona fide.
The underlying principle found in all religion is mercifulness. There may be instances of animal sacrifice or sanction to eat meat in a particular circumstance. Even within the Vedic literatures there might be such isolated instances. But there is also the general teaching and injunction that one should refrain from killing and should be merciful to all beings. This is found in all of the world’s scriptures. No bona fide teachings of God in scripture recommend unrestricted killing of animals, and in turn the eating of meat. There is always restriction, which points to the higher principle of abstinence. And certainly no bona fide scripture encourages maintaining organized slaughterhouses to regularly kill millions of innocent animals.
Once again, all bona fide religions teach progressive cultivation of mercifulness. Thus, ultimately there is no clash. For example see Caitanya-caritamrta Adi Lila Chapter 17.153-171 for a discussion on the apparent basis of animal sacrifice and eating meat in the Koran. There are many similar examples. Ultimately, we will find congruity, rather than contradiction of principles.
