Book Title: Anuvrat Movements Theory and Practical
Author(s): Shivani Bothra
Publisher: USA Florida International University

Previous | Next

Page 65
________________ still viewed as an economic burden for families with female children and a potential source of economic opportunity for families with male children. Nevertheless, the examples set by those people who have chosen not to follow traditions like purdah, dowry and female feticide have been leading to a slow but steady overall shift in society's attitudes towards these practices and a growing recognition of their potential harmful effects. Vow Ten: I will lead a life free from addictions, I will not use intoxicants like alcohol, hemp, heroin, tobacco, etc. The prohibition of intoxication is an uncompromisingly strict criterion for an Anuvrati. Such a criterion was particularly surprising given the flexibility adopted by the movement regarding the issue of non-vegetarianism. The basis for the prohibition of intoxications, according to Tulsi, was his belief that intoxicants cloud the mind and character of a person. An intoxicated person is more likely to commit undesirable or punishable acts such as suicide, rape or mass killing. 104 Thus, he applied the concept of vow to mete out the problems of alcohol and intoxication widely prevalent in the society. Even the government of India has attempted to address similar issues by observing the three national holidays as dry days throughout India; these national holidays are: Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15) and birth day of Mahatma Gandhi (October 2). According to several informants, the tenth vow is a major obstacle for contemporary potential Indian adherents. Consumption of alcohol is increasingly becoming more common. The reasons have been attributed to a combination of an 104 Tulsi and Karnawat, The Clarion Call Of Anuvrat, 59. 55

Loading...

Page Navigation
1 ... 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109