Are Hindus forbidden to eat meat?

Hinduism is 5000 years old. Hinduism had no single founder. Hindus do not have set principles that dictate to you what you should or not do. But food has been talked about in the Bhagavad Gita.
Today we are going to discuss a very interesting thing, which is food. Are Hindus allowed to eat meat? What does Bhagavad Gita say about food? Did lord Shiva eat meat? And what religions do not eat meat?
What we eat is our personal decision. The law also gives us the right to privacy. But those who believe in any religion decide this on the basis of their beliefs that what they will eat and whatnot.
Do Hindu religions forbid eating meat? Hinduism gives us the opportunity to make up our own decisions about food we eat. Indeed within a family, you may find some members are vegetarians, while others are not.

Let’s first talk about what does Bhagavad Gita say about food?

Bhagavad Gita species three types of food and the choice are entirely on yours, as long as we understand the consequences.

Sattvic:

the natural foods: vegetables, fruits, milk, nuts, and grains: body healthy, mind becomes calm, peaceful. Peace & contentment.

Rajasic:

foods of Passion, which to satisfy the palate. They energize the navel chakra.
But when the same food is cooked, including oil, coffee, tea, fizzy drinks, sugar, salt, chilies. Increases desires for material things lead to restlessness. Even in medicine, it has been proven that children who have an excess of oily or sugar, led to hyperactivity. 

Tamasic:

foods are foods that are harmful to mind & dull pain e.g. alcohol, preserved food, & meat: they increase our anger & intolerance. These are needed at times of stress e.g. war. However, even in modern medicine, it has been proven that excess of these over a long term use has led to health problems.

Does Indians eats meat?

Contrary to belief, most Hindus are not vegetarian. 60% Indians in India eat meat, fish or eggs.
North India had a lot of Islamic influence, and with cooler climate and with a constant threat of war, more people became non-vegetarian. There are more vegetarians in South India & Gujarat.

Did Hindu Brahmins eat meat?

Priests and religious leaders are vegetarian, so as to maintain a high level of purity and spiritual consciousness.
To practice yoga and be successful in meditation, it is mandatory to be vegetarian.

Are Hindus allowed to eat meat?

The Vedas promote respecting all life, including plants.
Hindus respect animals, and don’t want to butcher them & eat & not because of any religious principle.
Hinduism promotes “Ahimsa”, the concept of non-violence against all life forms including animals.
In order to have inner peace, it states to
Refrain from injuring, physically, mentally or emotionally, anyone or any living creature.
In Hinduism, there’s a saying,
“Jaisa aan, vaisa Mann”, as will be my food, as will be my mind.
We know animals have emotional feelings, indeed why we keep pets. Just imagine what emotions those animals must be going through before they know they are going to be slaughtered! Hatred, anger, fear, pain, helplessness. This meat is then cooked and humans told that this is good for us!

Did Hindus eat beef?

Hindus consider the cow to be a sacred symbol of life that should be protected and revered, so even meat-eating Hindus does not eat beef. Hindu religion is about awareness of all actions.

Are there any benefits to not eating meat?

There’s a film on YouTube that shows quite vividly how animals are cruelly treated & butchered in arboitoires, and you can come to your own conclusions.
It’s now scientifically proven that when we eat meat, fish, fowl, and eggs, we absorb the vibration of the instinctive creatures into our nerve system, leading to many ailments.
We believe if the diet is pure, then the heart & mind are pure, which helps with inner peace.
Today, these concepts are even being followed by western society & the vegetarian & vegan diet has seen a sharp increase in the last few years.

What religions do not eat meat?

Hindus do not eat beef because they worship cow and other animals of this category. Muslims do not eat pork.  Buddhist and Janis are strict vegans. This religion teaches compassion for all animals so killing them is not right.

Did lord Shiva eat meat?

It is said that Lord Shiva loved to eat meat. Some experts also say that he had gone from meat lover to vegetarian. In Amish Tripathi’s novel series ‘Shiva Trilogy’, the main protagonist whose name and portrayal is like the god Shiva, eats meat.

Did Ram eat non-veg?

According to Valmiki Ramayana, Kshatriyas used to eat meat and Swami Rama was Kshatriya. It is not written explicitly, but being a warrior he was required to eat meat.