58 Non-Violence
Kabir’ s hut was situated in an area where there were many butchers and meat vendors. On his way there, Tulsidas witnessed the slaughtering of fowls and saw goat carcasses hanging in the shops. He had never been in such an environment before and he kept spitting as he walked along, barely able to watch what was going on around him. Tulsidas was not accustomed to such gross and foul-smelling surroundings, and so he felt trapped. He was so perturbed, that when he reached Kabir’ s hut he poured out his emotions to the saint. Tulsidas asked Kabir why such an elevated soul as he should choose to live amongst butchers. Kabir who was quick-witted and renowned for his ability to compose spontaneous verse replied:
“ Kabir’ s home is in the market, near the throat-cutters. The‘ doer’ will suffer the consequences, why are you so sad?”
Tulsidas immediately realized that all his spiritual knowledge until now had been in vain and this humbled him.
One should learn to face the world like Kabir. Every form of violence is rampant all around us and has been occurring from time immemorial. Even Lord Ramachandra’ s servants ate meat; they were all Kshatriyas and eating meat was a natural practice for them. Our intent must remain non-violent.
You should maintain this intent of non-violence and not be swayed by the mentality of violent people, because they make conflict on account of misunderstanding. That is why nothing gets resolved and more harm is done. One can only enforce ahimsa against animals if one’ s ruler or government has the same view and decrees that people observe vegetarianism on certain days. At the present time you do not have any power over the matter and besides, no one is asking you to actively enforce ahimsa. In the eyes of the Lord no one dies. You should just go about minding your own business and encourage non-violence. Do not harbor any negative feelings.