Thirukkural-On Virtue-Avoidance Of Killing-Kural 327

Even if it involves the loss of one's own life,It is best to abstain from killing another

The idea here is that even to save one's own life, therapeutically speaking, it is unethical and sinful to take another life. This verse is Valluvar's answer to those, who hold that if it is for medicinal purposes, non-vegetarian food is not taboo.

It is stated in the life of Gandhiji that while in South Africa, he and his family rigidly abstained from animal soups, even on medical advice.

Another interpretation of this Kural indicated by Parimelalagar would point to the view that killing in self-defence is not also virtuous.

Here again, Gandhiji's concept of Non-violence is relevant. He called it the non-violence of the strong and not of the weak. He did not envisage, for instance, passively allowing evil to overwhelm all that is good. He approved of limited use of force in the defence of life and virtue. If, therefore, we accept Parimelalagar's interpretation it can be only with these provisos.