Answer

Peanut is generally not considered kandmul in Jainism because it is a seed/legume, not a root or tuber.

Explanation

In Jain dietary classification, kandmul refers to underground plant parts such as:

• onion
• garlic
• potato
• ginger
• turmeric
• yam and similar roots/tubers

Peanut grows underground, but it is the seed of the plant inside a pod, not the plant’s root itself. So by definition, it is placed in a different category from kandmul.

Spiritual Understanding

The Jain reason for avoiding kandmul is that harvesting them usually disturbs many living beings in the earth and often destroys the whole plant. Peanuts are not classified that way because they are not root vegetables, even though they develop underground.

Takeaway

So, simply put: underground does not automatically mean kandmul. In Jain tradition, peanut is a seed, not a root, so it is usually not counted as kandmul.