Verse Text
18. bhūtānudvega-dāyitā, yathā mahābharate—
piteva putraṁ karuṇo nodvejayati yo janam
viśuddhasya hṛṣīkeśas tūrṇaṁ tasya prasīdati ||117||
Translation
Not inflicting pain on other living entities (verse 81), from Mahābhārata: That pure person, who does not inflict pain on others, being merciful like a father to his son, quickly pleases the master of the senses.
Purport (Nectar of Devotion)
Not Giving Pain to Any Living Entity
This is the statement of Mahābhārata: “A person who does not disturb or cause painful action in the mind of any living entity, who treats everyone just like a loving father does his children, whose heart is so pure, certainly very soon becomes favored by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
In so-called civilized society there is sometimes agitation against cruelty to animals, but at the same time regular slaughterhouses are always maintained. A Vaiṣṇava is not like that. A Vaiṣṇava can never support animal slaughter or even give pain to any living entity.