Vicakhnu-gītā (Summary)

A strong plea for ahiṃsa is Vicakhnugītā. Only eleven verses are there in this Gītā.

Vicakhnu-gītā gives a brief description of king Vicakhnu’s to a Yajña performed with animal sacrifice very morning.

“Regarding it is cited an old discourse of what was recited by king Vicakhnu through pity for all creatures.”^[1]

“Seeing the mangled body of a bull, and hearing the highly painful groans of the kine in a cow killing sacrifice, and observing the cruel Brāhmans collected there for assisting at the ceremonies, that king said these words:-prosperity to all the kine in the world. When the slaughter had begun, these words expressive of a blessing were uttered. And the king further said, only those who transgress fixed limits who are shorn of intelligence, who are atheists and sceptics and who desire the acquisition of celebrity by sacrifices and religious rites, speak highly of the destruction of animals in sacrifices. The pious Manu has spoken highly of harmlessness in all acts. Indeed men kill animals in sacrifices, actuated only by the desire of fruit. Hence guided by authority one conversant (with the scriptures) should practise the true course of duty which is highly subtle. Harmlessness to all creatures is the highest of all duties.”^[2]