The Kerala High Court on 29th of May observed that unhealthy, unscientific and deleterious practices must be prevented even if they are done for religious purpose. The single-judge Justice VG Arun hearing the matter even highlighted the words of Dr. BR Ambedkar to indicate what a true religious practice should be.

Justice VG Arun said “As opined by none other than Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, true religious practice should be guided by reason, equality and humanistic values, rather than blind adherence to traditions. All unhealthy, unscientific and deleterious practices are to be prevented, even if it is done in the name of religion,”.

Justice Arun went up to equate Animal Sacrifice with Sati, Human Sacrifice and child Marriage. He argued that India has historically enacted laws to prevent and prohibit objectionable practices such as sati, human sacrifice and child marriage. But should Pashubali be equated with Human Sacrifice or Sati Pratha or Child Marriage?

‘No God wants to kill their own creatures’, is a common argument being presented against Pashubali by those who flaunt of being an atheist but suddenly turn into a devotee of Devi and claims of being well informed of the likes and dislikes of Devi. These people need to be taught that according of Shastras, the sacrificed animal attains Mukti and therefore Pashubali does not come under the category of violence. Now the bigger question lies why the animal lovers who claims of having bucket full of love for animals doesn’t want the Animal soul to attain Mukti?

Some Hindus with limited knowledge of scriptures too raise fingers upon Balipratha. They come up with their point of Sanatan Dharma being a faith which has roots of Ahimsa. But Pashubali must not be kept under the bracket of Hinsa (Violence). Pashubali has Shastra backing which turns down all the arguments made against the Pratha. It is devi who will dictate what she wants. It is Shastras which informs what Devi wants. But modern Hindus, the self appointed custodians of Dharma with no knowledge of Shastras are always ready with their bag of high “moral principles” to decide what God wants.

In the 12th chapter of Chandipath, Devi speaks to her devotees.

jānatājānatā vāpi bali pūjāṃ tathā kṛtām| pratīkśhiśhyāmyahaṃ prītyā vahni homaṃ tathā kṛtam

Which translates to “I will accept with love the bali and puja that are offered to me”.

In Kalikapuran too, Pashubali has been not been sanctioned. Also Balipriya is one of the many name of Devi.

 

 

 

 

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