SB 1.8.52 (1964)
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT No. 52
Yatha pankena pankambhah suraya ba surakritam Bhutahatya tathaiba ekam na yajnairm astum arhati.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS
Yatha—as much as, Punkena—by the mud, Pankambha—water mixed with mud, Suraya—by wine, Ba—either, Surakritam—impurity caused by the slight touch of wine, Bhutahatya—killing of animals, Tatha—like that, Eva—certainly, Ekam—one, Na—never, Yajnair—by the prescribed sacrifices, Mastum—to counter act, Arhati—is worthwhile.
TRANSLATION
As it is not possible to filter muddy water by means of mud, or as it is not possible to purify a wine-stroken pot with bulk of wine, so also killing of a living being imperceptibly cannot be counteracted by another organised killing of animal.
PURPORT
Aswamedha Yajna or Gomedha Yajna or the sacrifices in which a horse or a bull was sacrificed were not off course for the purpose of killing the animal. Lord Chaitanya said that such animals sacrificed in the alter of Yajna were rejuvenated and a new life was given to such sacrificed animal. It was just to prove the efficacy of hymns of the Vedas. By recitation of the hymns of Vedas in the proper way certainly the performer gets relief from the reactions of sins but in case of such sacrifices not properly done under expert management, surely one has to become responsible for such animal sacrifice. In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy there is no posssibility of performing the Yajnas perfectly for want of expert Brahmins who are able to conduct such Yajnas. Maharaj Yudhisthir therefore gives a hint on the point of performing sacrifices in the age of Kali. In the Kali Yuga the only sacrifice recommended is the performance of Harinam Yajna inaugurated by Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. But one should not indulge in animal killing and counter act it by performing the Harinam Yajna. Those who are devotees of the Lord they never kill an animal for self interest neither they refrain from the duty of a Kshatriya on the order of the Lord as it was performed by Arjuna. The whole purpose is therefore served when everything is done on the Will of the Lord. This is possible only for the devotees alone.
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta Purports of the First Canto Eighth Chapter in the matter of the Prayers of Queen Kunti and Parikshit Saved.