Question: Is it possible for a killer of animal to develop & attain pure love of God? Were there any instances in the history where meat eaters or other low class people became devotees of God? If so, did they have to leave meat eating once they become a devotee? Is surrender to Guru & Pure love of God open only for vegetarians? If you could kindly share Your knowledge on the above questions, it would be very helpful in my spiritual progress. Thank you
Answer by Romapada Swami:
When we think about it, it is not difficult to see that killing innocent animals simply for the satisfaction of one’s tongue is certainly lacking in compassion. If one were factually awakening love for God, it is natural to expect that there would be growing compassion in one’s heart for other living entities, and aversion to inflict unnecessary pain upon others, is it not? Besides lacking in mercy and making people hard- hearted, meat-eating also makes one’s brain dull and unable to understand higher, spiritual subject matters.
Love of God is dormant in everyone’s heart. Any one of us, from any condition of life, is equally eligible to approach the Lord and chant His Names. But a natural progression for one who is trying in earnest to please God is that they develop all saintly qualities. If this does not happen, it is to be understood that there is something wanting in their efforts.
There are many examples of persons from all different walks of life becoming pure devotees. One in particular is the story of Mrigari, who was a hunter with the habit of half-killing animals and taking pleasure in their suffering. Upon meeting Narada Muni, however, Mrigari changed his ways and later he became such a saintly person that he was careful to not step upon and accidentally kill even an ant!
It is not just a question of vegetarianism; devotees of Krishna are more concerned about pleasing Krishna. They are interested in accepting Krishna-prasadam i.e. they offer everything first to Krishna with love and devotion and then accept His remnants as their only foodstuff. And naturally, we would offer to the Lord only what He wants, and the Lord mentions only foods in the mode of goodness, such as fruits, grains and milk. Conversely, if the Lord orders to kill, as in executing the duty of ksatriya, that is the proper thing to do; to refuse to kill would then be a sin.
