Bupinder: Acharya ji. I have following queries: 1) Which mantra of Vedas tells us not to worship idols an is it a sin. 2) Which mantra in Vedas tells us that eating non-vegetarian is a sin?
Swami Ram Swarup: (1) several mantras of Vedas tell not to worship idol like Yajurveda mantra 32/3 wherein it is stated – “Na Tasya Pratima Asti” i.e., God has no shape. And He cannot be measured. In this connection, I also paste my article below:-
Idol worship
Idol worship is due to the fact that mostly the saints have not studied Vedas. So naturally, they will not preach the eternal knowledge of Vedas to the public. Secondly, people are already innocent about the knowledge of Vedas. Thirdly, for the last about two-thousand years, the idol worship has been preached by those saints who are not aware of the knowledge of Vedas. So either the man-made worship or the God-made worship will be followed by the people. God made worship is briefed in Vedas and man-made worship has been mentioned in other granths.
After Mahabharata war, knowledge of Vedas is not been given. As the result, worship against Vedas has come into existence. So it is up to the public whether, they follow Vedas or not, however, Vedas are the eternal knowledge which emanates direct from God and is originated in the heart of four Rishis, at the beginning of the earth for the benefit of the mankind.
(2) In this connection, I paste my article-
Vegetarians
Vegetarians and non-vegetarians are two categories. Accordingly the construction of body i.e., teeth, small intestine and large intestine, and digestive system has been made by God.
Human beings come in vegetarian category. Our teeth and digestive system always differ from cat, dog, lion etc. Some animals like cow, buffalo, goat, elephant etc., also come in Vegetarian category. We take water by sipping but the animals who are non-vegetarian i.e., meat eater they do not sip but lick. Whatever we eat, that food develops our mind and body and creates natural behaviour. For example if we take a cub who is newly born and nurse him by giving milk and thereafter vegetarian food only and on the other hand to another cub we provide him
meat, then when they will be younger their habit will differ. The cub taking vegetarian food will be as violent as the cub who took meat.
Now medical science also says that the energy in vegetarian food is more than that in non-vegetarian food. Vegetarian food gives long and ill free life. Vegetarian elephant is stronger than non-vegetarian lion.
Nobody can take meat until one gives violence to animals or birds etc., which is a sin. Our stomach becomes a graveyard where we gather meat by eating. As regards life in vegetarians it does not harm to them while plucking from plants etc. because every vegetarian plant has short life and is meant to give food to the human life. But to us meat is not entitled. Science has recently told that non-vegetarians are more susceptible to cancer disease and teeth degeneration as compared to vegetarians.
Non-vegetarian food is prohibited as per Vedas, shastras, Upnishads and all the ancient holy books. In vegetarian food an ocean of calories and vitamins is available by the mercy of God. Please check from a dietician about the same. Because it is lengthy one and I cannot explain here. For example dal, is full of proteins, soybean has more protein than any non-vegetarian food, which has ability to inhibit cancer also where as non-vegetarian doesnot. Green vegetables like palak, methi, etc., are the richest source of iron and vitamin A. So is the case of milk, curd, rice, fruit, etc., -etc.
The knowledge of Vedas emanates direct from God at the time of beginning of earth. So in this creation, the Vedas are the oldest knowledge originated about one Arab 97 crore years ago. In all four Vedas, God has prohibited non-vegetarian, please.
Atharvaveda mantra 6/140/1 also states that Oh God! May my teeth, like the teeth of wolf not take non-vegetarian. Non-vegetarian has only some limited energy and vitamins whereas cow-milk is a complete food. Dry fruits, vegetables, curd, fruits etc., i.e., all other vegetable food has been made by God for us which are more beneficial than non-vegetarian food. Manusmriti shloka 2/177 strictly prohibits to take non-vegetarian food and any type of addiction. The nature of the animals or human beings who take non-vegetarian food is more violent than those who take vegetarian food. In this connection, you may consider lion, tiger, wolves, jackals etc. As regards power of vegetarian you may think about elephant who is the most powerful than other human/living beings and is vegetarian.
Onion and garlic are included as vegetarian food and full of vitamins, they protect from heat stroke, make stomach strong and make strong eye sight etc., but both are of Tamogunni nature and therefore only Brahmachari must not take the same.
To eat or not to eat onion, garlic is a matter of medical science, so one must follow the advice of medical authorities in this regard.
D: Swami ji namashkar, swami ji maine om chimi chimi swaha mantra ka 21 din jaap kiya par koi laabh nahin hua.
Swami Ram Swarup: namaskar. ‘Om chimi chimi swaha’ mantra does not exist in Vedas, please. The names of God in Vedas are innumerous. But for doing jaap, the best name of Almighty God is – Om. Please, seek an acharya locally, take guidance to do jaap properly, which is beneficial to the devotee. Secondly, the name jaap is done selflessly.
