Disciple: I’m a farmer. To control weeds and rodents, I use pesticides. I’m aware that I’m killing a lot of organisms. Will such necessary harm (avasya-himsa) be counted as a sin (paapa)? The very thought of this tortures me. How can I feel better?
Guru: An absolutely significant question indeed. The point is to refrain from harming others. The kind of pests that concern you, the pesticides you use, etc. depends on your circumstances. In practice, what you can do is to try not to harm other beings. You can use innocuous natural pesticides. You can promote ecological balance. When you have rat snakes, rodents are controlled. The natural balance is the ideal solution, always. Anyhow, use of noxious chemical fertilizers is highly discouraged. We have already learnt a lesson from the lethal Endosulfan. Generations are still suffering from its aftermath. So, let us have a clean future.
On the other hand, if you are of the opinion that natural fertilizers are neither effective nor plausible, then do Avasya-himsa (necessary harm). What else to be done? But do not think about paapa. That thought will afflict you. When you do it thinking of sin, it becomes one. So do as if there is no paapa attached to it.
Guru: An absolutely significant question indeed. The point is to refrain from harming others. The kind of pests that concern you, the pesticides you use, etc. depends on your circumstances. In practice, what you can do is to try not to harm other beings. You can use innocuous natural pesticides. You can promote ecological balance. When you have rat snakes, rodents are controlled. The natural balance is the ideal solution, always. Anyhow, use of noxious chemical fertilizers is highly discouraged. We have already learnt a lesson from the lethal Endosulfan. Generations are still suffering from its aftermath. So, let us have a clean future.
On the other hand, if you are of the opinion that natural fertilizers are neither effective nor plausible, then do Avasya-himsa (necessary harm). What else to be done? But do not think about paapa. That thought will afflict you. When you do it thinking of sin, it becomes one. So do as if there is no paapa attached to it.
Hari Om!
ॐ Chidanandam ॐ
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