Animals do have souls

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram sai family

 

In response to the question about whether animals have souls. Yes they

do have souls, after all we were all once animals. The soul assumes

various forms as it transmigrates through all species. The soul

journeys via 8.4 million species through both plant and animal species

and eventually to the human birth. Swami says we have been prepared

through millions of births to be at His Lotus feet today. Our animal and

demonic qualities that we have today are as a result of impressions made

on our mind and inner instrument (anthakarana) as we transmigrated

through species.

 

Swami has asked devotees to give up eating meat to transcend demonic

and animal qualities. Animal meat contains diseases and because the meat

industry has become so commercialised over time, in this age the animals

eat a lot of sewage and edible plastics and these are highly toxic.

Animal protein is also acidic and causes osteoporisis. I have attached a

book on sathwic food which contains some useful info and justification

of a meat free diet.

 

Swami also says that when we slaughter animals for food, these animal

souls are promoted to human birth by you. But because these souls have

been promoted to human birth, they still possess animal and demonic

qualities. These souls lack discrimination and compassion and other

human qualities. As a result they become criminals, rapists, murderers

etc in our society. So even we have a hand in this. Since a person

killed an animal for food in an act of violence, then that person must

be victim to some violent crime by the animal soul according to the

cosmic law of Karma, or cause and effect. Thus the cosmic cycle of Karma

becomes complete.

 

Then, however people may argue that eating plants are also sinful,

since plants also have a soul. In the Gita Lord Krishna says "offer me a

flower, leaf, water or fruit and I shall accept." Vegatarian diet

promotes the mind for spiritual growth and advancement. Furthermore by

chanting the food prayer (Brahma rpanam) before consuming the food, we

offer it to God and God reduces the Karmic debt of the plant we consume.

 

Swami has vast compassion for animals. We see this in His love for Sai

Gita and her love for Swami. Sathyam Shivam Sundaram Vol 1 or 2

describes Swami's pet dogs. One particular incident I found particular

touching. When the first Mandir was built, Swami had a pair of dogs. I

am can't remember their names. The male dog usually guarded the cars

which had to be parked outside and on one night he was seriously injured

by a car. He dragged himself to Swami and looked up at Swami's eyes one

last time and died on His lap. I will look up the actual extract to this

story.

 

Our compassion should not be limited to the human race, it needs to be

extended to all of creation since Swamin wants to recognise divinity in

all His creation however small or big they are.

 

Sai Love and Light to all

Thishen

Attachment: (application/msword) Importance of Sathwic Food.doc [not stored]