Question

What is Odysseus doing while his men slaughter Helios' cattle in Book XII?

Answer 1

He goes to pray to the gods, and while hes gone Eurylochos convinces the men to slaughter the cattle.

Answer 2

Odysseus had gone elsewhere on the island away from his comrades for shelter and fell asleep there as his men slaughtered the cattle due to Eurylochus's evil counsel to Odysseus's men telling them to kill the cattle.