Shloka 30
Dharma, Purity, and the Inner Purpose of the Vedas
Karma-kāṇḍa Reoriented to Bhakti
ते मे मतमविज्ञाय परोक्षं विषयात्मका: । हिंसायां यदि राग: स्याद् यज्ञ एव न चोदना ॥ २९ ॥ हिंसाविहारा ह्यालब्धै: पशुभि: स्वसुखेच्छया । यजन्ते देवता यज्ञै: पितृभूतपतीन् खला: ॥ ३० ॥
te me matam avijñāya parokṣaṁ viṣayātmakāḥ hiṁsāyāṁ yadi rāgaḥ syād yajña eva na codanā
Quienes están juramentados al deleite de los sentidos no comprenden la conclusión confidencial del saber védico que Yo expongo. Si el gusto por la violencia fuera propio del yajña, habría mandato para ello; pero los malvados, por su propio placer, sacrifican animales inocentes y así, mediante ritos, adoran a los devas, a los antepasados y a jefes de seres espectrales.
The Vedic scriptures sanction occasional animal sacrifice to satisfy cruel, low-class men who cannot live without the taste of flesh and blood. Such concessions, however, are restricted by rigorous obligatory rituals and are meant to gradually discourage animal killing, just as the exorbitant cost of a liquor license restricts the number of retail outlets selling alcoholic beverages. But unscrupulous persons misconstrue such restrictive sanctions and declare that Vedic sacrifice is meant for killing animals in order to enjoy sense gratification. Being materialistic, they desire to attain the planets of the forefathers or demigods and thus worship such beings. Sometimes materialistic persons are attracted to the subtle lifestyle of ghosts and worship ghostly creatures. These methods constitute gross ignorance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the actual enjoyer of all sacrifice and austerity. The demons perform Vedic sacrifice but are inimical to Lord Nārāyaṇa, for they consider the demigods, the forefathers or Lord Śiva to be equal to God. Although understanding the authority of Vedic rituals, they do not accept the ultimate Vedic conclusion and therefore never surrender to God. Thus false religious principles flourish in the demoniac societies of the animal killers. Although in countries like America people outwardly profess to be followers of God alone, actual worship and glorification is offered to innumerable popular heroes such as entertainers, politicians, athletes and other equally insignificant persons. Animal killers, being grossly materialistic, are inevitably attracted to the extraordinary features of material illusion; they cannot understand the real platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or spiritual life.
FAQs
This verse warns that if a person becomes attached to violence, then “sacrifice” is no longer a genuine Vedic injunction—because the Veda’s intent is not to cultivate cruelty.
Krishna explains that people absorbed in sense enjoyment take the Veda’s indirect statements as permission for harmful acts, missing the deeper purpose of purification and dharma.
Do not justify harm by quoting tradition; test your actions by their inner motive—purification and compassion, not appetite, cruelty, or exploitation.