Hindu Dietary Practice: Vedic Guidance for Feeding the Body, Mind, and Soul

In modern Hindu societies, practices like nonviolence, cow protection, vegetarianism, and giving food to God are quite prevalent. These are vital to the Hindu worldview and are connected to one another. Intriguingly, Hindu vegetarianism has certain philosophical roots. After all, if the soul travels through many species of life and we are not our physical bodies and animals are not theirs, then who is to argue that a slain animal is not a past loved one or a relative? Or that a human who consumes animal byproducts won't pass through the afterlife as a sacrificial creature? Consequently, greater focus is placed on the living individual within when physical identity is questioned. Vegetarianism is not universally accepted among Hindus. This book briefly examines and introduces the reader to the rationale and varying prevalence of these Hindu dietary practices and corresponding beliefs.