I’ll answer in parts:

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1. Why are root vegetables restricted in Jainism?

Main reason: ahimsā (non‑violence).

In Jain dharma, many roots (kand-mool) are considered sādhāraṇ vanaspati / anantkāy – one plant body in which countless souls live together. When we pull out a root:

• The whole plant dies.
• The soil is disturbed, killing many tiny living beings.
• The root itself contains many subtle lives (nigod jīv).

So, to reduce violence, Jains traditionally avoid:

• Potato, onion, garlic
• Carrot, beet, radish, turnip
• Yam, sweet potato, arbi, cassava, etc.

Both Śvetāmbara and Digambar traditions teach avoiding root vegetables; monks must strictly follow, and laypeople are encouraged to follow as much as possible. You can read more here and here .

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2. Is haldi (turmeric) also prohibited? Do Jains use haldi powder?

(a) Fresh turmeric root

• Fresh haldi (the actual root/rhizome) is an underground root vegetable.
• So, by the same principle as potato/ginger etc., fresh turmeric root is to be avoided in normal Jain practice.

This is common to both Śvetāmbara and Digambar views.

(b) Dry turmeric powder (haldi powder)

Here practice differs slightly:

• Many Jain households (both Śvetāmbara and Digambar) do use haldi powder in small quantity as a masala / medicine.
• The idea is:

- It is already dried and powdered. - Used in very small amounts (not eaten as a sabzi). - Considered more like a medicinal spice than a main food item.

• Stricter families and some sangat:

- Avoid all forms of turmeric because its source is a root, so they do not want to encourage that trade or usage.

So practically:

• Fresh haldi root – avoid.
• Haldi powder – commonly used, but some very strict Jains avoid it too.

The safest way is to follow your family’s/guru’s maryādā.

You can see a general Jain diet explanation here .

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3. Why are cauliflower and brinjal sometimes restricted? They are not roots.

You are right: cauliflower and brinjal (eggplant) are not root vegetables. They grow above the ground, so they are not kand-mool.

In principle (śāstra-based):

• As non-root, above-ground vegetables, they are basically allowed in Jain diet.

See general allowed-vegetables explanation here .

Then why are they avoided in some families?

Main Jain reason again is ahimsā, but in a different form:

1. Cauliflower

- The florets often hide many small insects/worms/eggs inside. - Even after washing, it is very easy to cut and cook many living beings unknowingly. - So some traditions or gurus advise: “Better to avoid such vegetables with high insect risk.”

1. Brinjal (eggplant, baingan)

- Often has worms and many tiny insects inside the seeds and flesh. - Difficult to check each piece fully, so himsa risk is high. - Some also feel it causes more bodily disturbance (but primary Jain reason is insects/jīv).

Because of this:

• Some gurus / local traditions tell followers to avoid cauliflower and brinjal completely.
• Some avoid them especially in Chaturmās/Paryushan or on certain vrat/upvās days, but allow in normal days.
• Others, in many Jain homes, do eat them but are extra careful in cleaning and cutting, removing insect-affected parts.

So:

• They are not banned for the same reason as roots.
• They are restricted by some due to practical himsā (insects), not due to being roots.

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Summary

• Root vegetables are avoided because:

- Many are anantkāy / sādhāraṇ vanaspati (countless jīvas in one body). - Uprooting kills the entire plant and disturbs many soil organisms.

• Turmeric (haldi):

- Fresh root – treated as root vegetable → avoid. - Haldi powder – many Jains do use it as a spice/medicine in small quantity; very strict practitioners may avoid all forms.

• Cauliflower and brinjal:

- Not root vegetables, so not in the same category as potato/onion. - Avoided by some because they commonly contain many insects/worms, leading to more himsā. - Other Jains use them with careful cleaning and inspection, or avoid them only in special periods.

If you follow the maryādā explained by your own guru/derasar, you will stay safely within Jain principles.