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( 50 ) Mahabharata also. He cites a Shloka from a dialogue between a father and his son in which the latter says
ardagpalagi nimioara i
पयोधर्ममधर्मादयं न सम्यक् प्रतिभातिमे॥ * O father, I have studied Vedic Dharma in this life and the past. I do not like this Vedic Dharma, full of Adharma."
Vignana-Bhikshu in his Bhashya of KapilaSutras cites the authority of the Markandeya Purana to the same effect । तस्माद्यास्याम्यहंतात दृष्ट्र मं दुःख सबिधिम। .. पयोधर्ममधर्मादयं किं पाक फल सबिभम् ।
"O deer, seeing that the Vedic Dharma is full of misery, why should I follow this Vedic Dharma, full of Adharma? This Vedic Dharma is like Pakaphala which is full of poison, though outwardly it looks very handsome."
Gentlemen, you know the well-known story in which Kapila is made to hold a debate with the Vedas. It is said that a certain student returned to his house after his study of the Vedas was complete. As was customary, a cow was to be sacrificed in his honqur. Kapila objected to this. Then the Vedas entered the belly of the cow and held discussion with Kapila. This is certainly a valuable tradition to show that Kapila was one of those ancient Rishis who objected to the slaughter of animals in sacrifice for any other purpose whatsoever, and who recommended Ahimsa to be an essential element of a true Dharma.
