Two Shwetambar Jain monks. Watercolour by an Indian artist.

The person on the left walks on pattens and holds a staff and a book. The monk on the right covers his mouth with a rectangular piece of cloth and carries a broom made of woollen thread to avoid causing harm to any living insect or animal while they walk, sit or lie down. A similar depiction was published by Young (Postans), loc. cit., with the following description: "The Jains are a peculiar class of ascetics, and well known by the notices of many learned oriental writers. They are frequently to be seen in Cutch and have temples both at Anjar and Mandavie. Their dress is a simple white garment, descending in full folds from the shoulder to the feet; their heads are bare, and closely shaven; their walk is peculiarly slow, and their eyes are fixed on the ground, in apparently abstract contemplation: they carry in one hand a bunch of feathers, and in the other a small bag, or earthen pot. The most striking peculiarity in their appearance is given by a piece of gauze which they wear over the mouth, to prevent (as they believe) the possibility of any insect entering with the air they breathe. To destroy life, however unintentionally, is considered by the Jains to be an inexpiable sin and lest they should ignorantly commit such, it is their custom to abstain from food after sunset, to use no water which has not been previously strained, and to sweep the ground before their footsteps, lest they should cause death to some minute insect"—Postans, loc. cit.