Sriram wrote it right. Our shastras tell us that we should not cross our Indian shores but still we are in Singapore, USA and the far corners of the world. Many may be aware of this or perhaps some may not. Nevertheless, will all us desis return to our country when we get to know this? We know that the shastras forbid us from going overseas, eating meat, consuming alcohol, ................. but what we end up doing is a matter of your choice. A choice that we chose knowingly or unknowingly. Interestinlgy, at some point we all draw a line at some point as to what we want to do, what our priorities are, where we want to go, etc. My thoughts are directed at statements such as "It behooves me as to how a sincere spiritually aspiring vegetarian vaishnava could be eating in such a nefarious place like McDonalds !" or the one "knowing well that a place like McDonalds is famous for its meat and worse still beef-oriented food, to still go there and eat is a foolish risk". With due respects to the Author's views, if one turns around and questions why is the author in "Singapore" while our shastras advocate not to go overseas, I would say it's a matter of choice. The author's choice. It's this choice that I am trying to delineate. A person may be knowing a lot about vegetarianism and dietary regime but yet choose to head off to McDonalds out of his choice. In my earlier email wherein I had written "let's not debate this since it has already been debated a zillion times in other forums", I tried to convey a sense that it may not be in our best interest to hang onto such issues since it would lead us to nowhere. By this I mean, we should not indulge in mudslinging or castigating someone who visits a McDonalds or a Connemara. It's simply his or her choice and let's leave it at that. Rest assured, that I am not saying that one should not learn nor find out about what the shastras have for us, nor that anyone should abstain from writing more about AahAra niyamam or more. It's good to know and read all that our learned folks are contributing to this forum. The goal should be continue in the same spirit as opposed to making judgemental values. Be it me or you or anyone.
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