It is true that only vegetarians are Hindus & the non-vegetarians are not considered as Hindu?
Hinduism is not an Abrahmic relogion where every question is answered in yes or no, we need to look into different scriptures and philosophies. In short answer, Vaishnavism says no to non veg, Shaivaism doesn’t support non veg but also isn’t against it and Shaktism doesn’t prohibit non veg.
I often get asked, how do people of East India (Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chattisgargh) eat non veg and still call themselves hindus?
We must understand the difference between an organised rule-based society and an unorganised society. Basically, the movement from Matsya Nyaya to a civilised society is a basic philosophy in Hinduism. Matasya means fish. Matsya Nyaya is the law of the fish ie, big fish eats small fish. Matsya Nyaya is what Westerners would call the “law of the jungle”. In Hinduism and related scriptures, it is called Matasya Nyaya.
Kali represents Matsya Nyaya. She represents the destruction and collapse of civilisation. When civilisation is destroyed, rules cease to exist. Nature does not care about protecting life. It is nurturing but harsh and cold at the same time. Gauri on the other hand represents civilised society with rules. She protects life. If Kali represents a wild untamed forest, then Gauri represents fields with crops. So meat after offering to Kali can be consumed. So because Kali represents wild untamed nature, she is offered Bali. Violence is part of nature. Meat eating is part of the natural cycle. Bali is always offered to Kali, never to Gauri. Shiva is detached from everything. So, Shaivism is not as comfortable with meat eating and violence as Shaktism but it is much more accepting of meat eating than Vaishnavism.
As my personal opinion, if you are eating non veg to satisy your tongue, it’s not good, if you are eating to fulfill your diet or some compulsion, lack of proper vegetarian diet or medical recommendation, etc, it’s okay. Don’t judge everything in one dimensional scale, try to understand different context.
Anugrhitoasmi 💛
