Vegetarianism and Ahimsa

Yagnas were some of the oldest rituals, they were mentioned in the Vedas. There are three general steps to yagnas: Starting the sacrificial fire, Invocation of deities, The making of offerings to them using fire as the media. Lord Agni, the God of Fire, is the messenger that takes the offerings to the deities.  One common form of sacrifice involved animals, it is mentioned in the Rig Veda in multiple places. There is also archaeological evidence that points to this. Horses (ashva) and cow (go) were sacrificed and it was necessary to eat the meat from the sacrifice.

“Sacrifice was to endue the sacrificer with power and wealth from the gods” (Rig 1.111.2)

“The dappled goat goes straight to heaven, bleating to the place dear to Indra and to Pusan.” (Rig 1.162.2)

“What part of the steed’s flesh the fly does not eat or is left sticking to the post or hatchet, or to the slayer’s hands and nails adheres, among the Gods, too may all this be with thee. Food undigested steaming from his belly and any odor of raw flesh that remains, let the immolators set in order and dress the sacrifice with perfect cooking. What from thy body which with fire is roasted when thou art set upon the spit distills let not that lie on earth or grass neglected, but to the longing Gods let all be offered.”  (Rig  1.162.9-11)

There was a change in how cows were viewed. Practically, cows were used to judge wealth, Moving towards farming society – cows became more useful with farm work, Provided milk – looked to as a mother figure. The concept of Ahimsa, which dates back to the vedas, was re-introduced around 500 CE causing Non-vegetarianism to decline.  The importance of cows gets taken out of context which leads to the idea of cows being sacred. Beef soon became taboo for the upper classes and the lower classes followed suit.

Which the rising notion of vegetarian in the world in mind, how do vegetarians perceive non-vegetrains and vice versa?