“Non-Killing Vow Is Great Indeed!”

All are of one self-fraternity.
Such being the dictum to avow,
In such a light how can we take life,
And devoid of least pity, go on to eat?

The non-killing vow is great indeed,
And, greater still, not-eating to observe,
All in all, should we not say, O men of righteousness.
Even to this amounts the essence of all religions?

If killing were applied to oneself,
Who, as a favour, would treat such a dire destiny?
As touching all in equality, O ye wise ones,
Should that not be our declaration for a regulated life?

No killer would there be if no other to eat there was
Perforce, himself must eat!
In eating thus abides the cruder ill
In that it killing makes.

Not-killing makes a human good
Else an animal’s equal he becomes.
No refuge has the taker of life,
Although to him all other goods accrue.

“Told by Narayana Guru”