Answer

In Jain Dharma, the principle behind avoiding vegetables with many seeds is based on the teaching of Ahimsa and the careful avoidance of harming many living beings.

A commonly referred textual basis is from Jain conduct teachings that classify food by the amount of life-forms involved. In particular, Jain tradition teaches that foods containing countless or many living entities should be avoided because consuming them causes greater violence.

However, I should clarify carefully: I cannot provide a precise Agam verse reference with exact wording that specifically says “do not eat vegetables with many seeds” unless the exact passage is verified.

Explanation

The Jain reasoning is:

• Seeds have the potential for life.
• Vegetables and fruits with many seeds may involve destruction of many future plant lives.
• Jain lay conduct encourages minimizing harm as much as possible.
• Therefore, many Jain families avoid or restrict foods such as figs, eggplant/brinjal, guava, and similar items depending on family tradition, sect, and discipline.

This practice is connected with the broader Jain principle of avoiding unnecessary harm to jīva, especially where many life-forms are involved.

Spiritual Understanding

The deeper idea is not merely “seed-counting,” but developing sensitivity toward life. Jain food discipline trains a person to think:

• How much harm is involved in this food?
• Can I choose something with less violence?
• Am I eating with awareness and restraint?

Takeaway

Jains avoid vegetables with many seeds because Jain Dharma emphasizes minimizing harm to as many living beings as possible. But for a specific scriptural verse reference explicitly naming “many-seeded vegetables,” I can only say:

Sorry, I can only provide information that is clearly established within Jain tradition.