# XXVI: Abjuring of Flesh-Meat explained — The Kural

> Chapter companion for The Kural by Thiruvalluvar.

## What happens

This chapter condemns the killing and eating of animals, arguing that true pity, goodness, and spiritual life are incompatible with meat consumption. It asserts that abstaining from flesh-meat is superior to sacrificial rites and earns universal reverence.

## Themes in this chapter

### Virtue and Righteousness

Emphasizes pity and moral goodness as incompatible with meat-eating.

### Asceticism and Spiritual Discipline

Advocates abstention from flesh as a path to spiritual liberation and escape from illusion.

## Character check-ins

### Thiruvalluvar

Author of the verses advocating abstention from flesh-meat.

### the Kural

The text containing the moral teachings on non-killing and vegetarianism.

## Key lines

> How can he feel pity, who eateth other flesh in order to fatten his own?

A person who consumes animal flesh to nourish themselves cannot truly experience compassion.

_Highlights the contradiction between self-interest and empathy._

> In non-eating of flesh is Life: if thou eat, the pit of hell will not open its mouth to let thee out.

Abstaining from meat is life-affirming; eating it leads to damnation without escape.

_Links dietary choice to spiritual consequences._

> To abstain from the killing and eating of living things is better than to perform a thousand sacrifices in the sacrificial fire.

Refraining from harming and consuming animals surpasses the merit of countless ritual sacrifices.

_Elevates ethical practice over ritualistic religion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxvi-abjuring-of-flesh-meat
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters