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upwardly mobile society with increasing exposure to western influences that promote
rather than stigmatize liquor consumption. On the other hand, within the low-income
groups, alcoholics and people with tobacco addiction are exhausting their already low
incomes.
Along with the consumption of alcohol, drug addiction is an equally serious
problem according to Tulsi. The dangers associated with such intoxicants highlight the
importance of the vow and of preventing addiction from occurring in the first place. My
informants felt that addicts' priority is to satisfy their addiction and that they sometimes
even choose to buy alcohol tobacco or drugs over giving their children education. All the
above reasons indicate why Tulsi was firm regarding the criteria he chose to set for an
Anuvrati.
Vow 11: I will be alert to the problems of keeping the environment pollution-free; I will
not cut down trees and not waste water.
The final vow is also under the category of ahimsa but expands the concept
further by including nature as well. Regarding the final vow, it seems Tulsi draws
inspiration from Mahavira's theory of interdependence;" i.e., all living beings render
service to one another. According to Mahavira, "One who neglects or disregards the
existence of earth, air, fire, water and vegetation disregards his own existence which is
entwined with them."105
The practice of Anuvrat vows is a stark contrast to the resource intensive,
consumerist lifestyle. The vow of not cutting trees is in accord with many environmental
movements such as the Chipko Movement discussed in the previous chapter, but how
105 Acharya Mahaprgya, Acharang Bhashyam (Ladnun: Jain Vishva Bharati, 2001), 50.
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