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THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE.
necessarily lead to ahimså. Many people think that the killing of animals is necessary for their living, and on that account harden their tender nature. There is absolutely no justification for this act of wanton cruelty. Nuts, vegetables and cereals contain all the nourishment necessary to maintain life, and, in their purity, constitute more joy-giving food than the dead entrails and carcasses of innocent animals, butchered relentlessly and in utter disregard of their mute appeals for mercy. Life is dear and joyful to all, and we should remember that the disregard of their appeals for mercy, and the sight of the pain and writhings of their bleeding and dying carcasses must recoil on our own selves, furnishing us with brutal and butcher-like tendencies, thus engendering karmas which cannot be easily destroyed, and form an ever-hardening shell round our souls. He who is desirous of taking the vow which leads to Brahman must resolutely set his heart against such evil deeds, and must give up all desires, which, in any way, whether directly or indirectly, lead to the causing of injury to other living beings. The desire for tasty food is, after all, a form of desire, and so long as it is not got rid off bliss cannot be had, even if all the powers under the sun decree otherwise. If the foregoing argument is sound, the meat-eaters must face the question: is it worthy of man-a thinking being--to please the palate and deny happiness to the soul ? In other words, should we allow our tongue to devour our chances of salvation ? The soul is thirsting for knowledge and bliss and for freedom from such undesirable conditions as death, disease, old age, suffering, pain and sorrow. Should we allow our perverse desires and
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