Anuvrat Movements Theory and Practical

Author(s): Shivani Bothra
Publisher: USA Florida International University

Page 25

Gandhian ideals and the overall social developments that were taking place at various
levels in post-independence India.
Gandhi and Tulsi: Intersecting Paths
Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Tulsi never met, but their views were exchanged
through having read each other's works. Their perspective was shaped by similar socio
religious ideas common to many Indian philosophical traditions as well as by their shared
pluralistic cultural backgrounds. In his book on the origins of the Anuvrat Movement,
Tulsi notes:
I desired to meet Gandhi, but my exposure and journey was limited to the Bikaner district. Nevertheless, we met each other through our writings. Gandhi read and commented extensively on my two books: A Message of Peace For the Unrest World and Ahimsa. In the end, Gandhi wrote: How good would it be, if the world followed this saint's ideas and theories. 23
It did come to pass that many Terapanthis, first involved with Gandhi's movement or
inspired by Gandhi's philosophy, later joined Tulsi's movement. Some respondents I
interviewed highlighted names like Mohan Lal Jain, Shri Devendra Karnawat, and Hulasi
Devi Bhutoria as being examples of those who followed such a path.
Tulsi's Unique Approach as an Exemplar
Tulsi, both a monk and a saint, in keeping with Jain rules for renunciates, limited
his travels (in upholding the mahavrat of ahimsa, Jain ascetics do not use transportation
and travel only on foot, so as not to cause injury to living beings), not even crossing the
border of Rajasthan in India until 1948. Yet, he was an incredibly innovative and
visionary leader of an emerging sectarian tradition who was able to spread his influence
despite his religious constraints. One major feature of Tulsi's hypothesis was if religion
23 Acharya Tulsi, Anuvrat Andolan Ki Pristhbhoomi (New Delhi: Anuvrat Mahasamiti, 2012), 5.
15