Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji is especially important in the modern Jain understanding of Āhār (food) and Ahimsak living.

In simple points:

1. From vegetarian to strict Ahimsak āhār

- As a Jain monk and later a lay Jain teacher, he always supported śuddha śākāhār (pure vegetarian food without eggs, meat, fish). - Later in life, after deeply studying the modern dairy industry, he concluded that milk and milk-products also involve a lot of himsā (violence to cows and calves). - From this, he adopted and taught a vegan form of Jain āhār – no milk, curd, ghee, butter, cheese, etc., along with the usual Jain rules (no meat, eggs, underground vegetables for many Jains, carefulness with water, etc.).

1. Connecting Āhār directly with Ahimsā-vrat

- He repeatedly taught that what we eat is a direct expression of our Ahimsā-vrat. - If modern production of a food causes intense suffering to jīvas (like dairy animals), then continuing to eat it cannot be called true Jain Ahimsak āhār, even if traditionally it was allowed. - For him, Jain āhār = minimum possible himsā in today’s actual conditions, not just old habits.

1. Temple and ritual āhār (Pūjā-samagri)

- He strongly urged that in pūjā, abhiṣek, arti, diya, etc., Jains should avoid milk and ghee, because they come from himsā today. - His point was simple: - Bhagwān is Vītarāg and Ahimsā-may. - So, how can we offer a product of violence (dairy) to a completely Ahimsak Bhagwān? - He encouraged the use of non-dairy alternatives (like oil diyas, non-dairy “milk” for symbolic use, etc.).

1. Jain āhār as sādhanā (spiritual practice)

- He explained that āhār is not only for health, but is a daily tapas: - Choosing less violent food reduces pāpa-bandh (new karmic bondage). - Eating with awareness (jāgruti), gratitude, and maitri-bhāva helps shuddhi of citta (inner purification). - Thus, for him, vegan Jain āhār was a practical step toward inner shuddhi and compassion, not just a health fad.

1. Influence on Jains worldwide

- Gurudev Chitrabhanuji was one of the first prominent Jain leaders to: - Connect Jain āhār + modern realities of animal agriculture. - Publicly encourage Jains to move from vegetarian to vegan āhār as a higher practice of Ahimsā. - Many Jains, especially youth outside India, were inspired by his message and adopted fully Ahimsak, plant-based Jain āhār.

In short: In the context of Jain Āhār, Gurudev Chitrabhanuji is remembered as a key teacher who took the timeless Jain vow of Ahimsā and applied it very strictly to food in today’s world, strongly promoting a purely plant-based, cruelty-free Jain diet in thought, practice, and temple life.