Gokarna, 5 September 2026: Vegan principle places milk and ghee within the scope of animal harm, but there is no need to include cow products in that category, said Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Mahaswamiji of Sri Ramachandrapura Math.
Speaking at the Annam Brahma discourse series during the ongoing ‘Annabrahma Chaturmasya’ at the Moola Math premises in Ashoké, Gokarna, on September 5, 2026, the seer said cow milk is produced in quantities beyond what a calf requires. He said the traditional practice in India is to leave the milk needed by the calf and collect only the remaining milk. Therefore, milk and ghee do not involve animal violence, he said.
Water, milk, ghee and rice as universally compatible foods
Referring to Ayurveda, Raghaveshwara Sri said water, ghee, milk and rice are identified as foods suitable for people across different constitutions and are described as ‘Jati Satmya’. He said these foods are considered compatible with living beings and that, from the perspective of the law of karma, there is virtually no element of animal violence involved in these four food items.
Food as an important gateway for sin
“Food is one of the major gateways through which sins can enter our lives,” the seer said, stressing the need to be careful that one's food does not become a source of wrongdoing. He noted that even while walking, some small organisms could be unintentionally killed, and that preparing vegetarian food can also cause harm to microscopic organisms. It is in this context that Hindu scriptures prescribe Vaishwadeva for householders, he said, describing it as a practice intended as atonement for the harm caused during cooking.
‘Live without violence; if impossible, choose lesser violence’
Recounting an incident from a few years ago during a visit to Hanuman Janmabhoomi in Gokarna, Raghaveshwara Sri said a foreign couple had approached him. The woman reportedly requested that her husband, who ate meat, be advised to give it up. Man questioned whether eating plants could also be considered violence because plants are living organisms.
Raghaveshwara Sri said the Indian tradition teaches people to live without violence and, when that is not possible, to choose the path involving lesser violence. He added that scriptures do mention certain qualities associated with meat and therefore it should not be rejected blindly. However, he said meat is not recommended because the degree of violence involved in obtaining it is considerably higher.
Krishna Ashtami celebrations
As part of Krishna Ashtami celebrations, religious and cultural programmes were organised at the venue. Children participated in activities including curd-churning, tug-of-war and banana-stem competitions, along with programmes involving cows and a presentation depicting the life of Sri Krishna. At 12.09 a.m., a special puja was performed to mark the birth of Sri Krishna, followed by flower offerings to Balakrishna by Raghaveshwara Sri. Women, children and devotees present at the venue celebrated by rocking the cradle of Balakrishna.
Gurubhiksha service
Families of A. Rama Bhat offered Gurubhiksha Seva on behalf of the Sarvadhari, Jayaprakash, Someshwara and Koramangala zones of the Bengaluru South Havyaka Mandal. Mohan Bhaskar Hegde, G.G. Hegde, N.G. Bhagwat, Anita Bhat and Archana Kuruvéri were present. Berkadavu Shyam Bhat and his wife served as the day's organisers.
Keywords
Raghaveshwara Sri, Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji, cow products, milk and ghee, veganism, animal violence, Hindu scriptures, Ayurveda, Jati Satmya, Vaishwadeva, Annam Brahma, Gokarna, Krishna Ashtami, Gokarna News Today, Citizen News Puttur