Bishnoi Village Safari Jodhpur | Official Wildlife & Cultural Tours
The 29 Principles of the Bishnoi : The World’s First Manifesto for Green Living
540 years ago, Guru Jambheshwar Ji gave the world 29 commandments to save nature. Today, these sacred laws remain the ultimate blueprint for human survival on a changing planet.
The 29 Principles: A 15th-Century Blueprint for 21st-Century Survival
In the year 1485, amidst a devastating drought in the Thar Desert, a visionary named Guru Jambheshwar Ji realized a truth that the modern world is only now beginning to grasp: Humanity cannot survive if nature dies. He did not just give a speech; he codified a way of life. He established 29 Commandments that transformed a group of people into the world’s first organized ecological task force. These are the Bishnois—named after the count of their laws (Beesh + Noi).
Bishnoi 29 Rules in English | 29 Rules of Bishnoi
- Observe a 30 day state of ritual impurity after child’s birth and keep mother and child away from household activities.
- Observe a 5 day segregation while a woman is in her menses.
- Bathe daily in the morning before sunrise.
- Obey the ideal rules of life: modesty, patience or satisfactions, cleanliness.
- Pray twice everyday (morning and evening).
- Eulogise God, Vishnu, in the evening (Aarti)
- Perform Yajna (Havan) with the feelings of welfare devotion and love.
- Use filtered water, milk and cleaned firewood.
- Speak pure words in all sincerity.
- Practice forgiveness from the heart.
- Be merciful with sincerity.
- Do not steal nor harbour any intention to do it.
- Do not condemn or criticize.
- Do not lie.
- Do not indulge in dispute/debate.
- Fast on Amavasya.
- Worship and recite Lord Vishnu in adoration.
- Be merciful to all living beings and love them.
- Do not cut green trees, save the environment.
- Crush lust, anger, greed and attachment.
- Cook your food by yourself.
- Provide shelters for abandoned animals to avoid them from being slaughtered in abattoirs.
- Do not sterilise bulls.
- Do not use or trade opium.
- Do not smoke or use tobacco or its products.
- Do not take bhang or hemp.
- Do not drink alcohol/liquor.
- Do not eat meat, always remain purely vegetarian.
- Do not use violet blue colour extracted from the indigo plant.
The Science Behind the Spirituality
The 29 principles are not random religious dictates. They are a sophisticated system divided into four vital categories: Internal Purity, Social Ethics, Environmental Laws, and Health.
Environmental Conservation: The "Green" Commandments
These are the laws that make the Bishnoi community unique in global history.
Rule 19: Prohibiting the Felling of Green Trees. This is the soul of the Bishnoi faith. In the desert, the Khejri tree is the “Kalpavriksha” (Tree of Life). By banning the cutting of any green tree, Guru Jambhoji ensured the desert would not expand, protecting the soil and the local climate.
Rule 18: Be Compassionate to All Living Beings. This law removes the “boundary” between humans and animals. It is the reason why Blackbucks and Chinkaras in Jodhpur do not run away when they see a Bishnoi villager.
Rule 16: Forbidding the Castration of Bulls. In an era where animals were treated as mere tools, this rule demanded respect for the animal’s natural dignity and biological integrity.
II. Personal Health and Hygiene: The "Pure" Commandments
Guru Jambhoji knew that a community could only protect nature if they were physically and mentally strong.
Rule 1: Daily Morning Bath. A fundamental rule for hygiene in a harsh desert climate.
Rule 2: Maintaining Internal and External Purity. This focuses on the cleanliness of both the body and the thoughts.
Rule 6: Filtering Water, Milk, and Fuelwood. This is a fascinating ecological rule. Why filter fuelwood? To ensure that no small insects are accidentally burnt in the fire. This level of “Micro-Compassion” is found nowhere else in the world.
III. Social Ethics and Discipline
Rule 13: Avoiding Meaningless Debates. To save mental energy and maintain community peace.
Rule 15: Always Telling the Truth. Building a foundation of trust within the community.
Rule 20-24: The Ban on Intoxicants. Guru Jambhoji strictly forbade Opium, Tobacco, Cannabis, Alcohol, and Meat. He knew that addiction destroys the family structure and clouds the judgment needed to protect the environment.
The Complete List of the 29 Principles (Simplified for Modern Life)
For the ease of our global readers, here is the breakdown of the sacred 29:
| Category | Principle Focus | Benefit to Society |
| Daily Habits | Morning bath, prayer, and meditation | Physical and mental clarity |
| Consumption | Filtered water, milk, and wood | Protection of microbial life |
| Social Conduct | Truthfulness, patience, and modesty | Community harmony |
| Prohibitions | No stealing, no lying, no slandering | Moral integrity |
| Dietary Laws | Pure vegetarianism, no intoxicants | Physical health and spiritual growth |
| Environmental | No cutting green trees, mercy to animals | Ecological balance and climate control |
How the 29 Principles Created the Khejarli Heroes
The 363 martyrs who died in 1730 did not die for a “political cause.” They died because Rule 19 was written in their hearts. When Amrita Devi hugged that tree, she wasn’t just hugging wood; she was upholding a 250-year-old commandment.
Today, as we face global warming, the 29 Principles of the Bishnoi community are no longer just “village rules”—they are a Global Necessity.
Fauna of Thar
Wildlife You Will Encounter
Scientific Name: Antilope cervicapra
The sacred animal of the Bishnois. Males have spiral horns and dark coats, while females are fawn-colored. They are fast, agile, and often seen jumping near the villages.
Demoiselle Crane (Kurjan)
Origin: Mongolia & Siberia
Thousands of these elegant birds migrate to Guda Lake every winter (Oct-March). The sky turns grey with their wings. A spectacular sight for birdwatchers.
Chinkara (Indian Gazelle)
Status: Shy & Elusive
Smaller than the Blackbuck, these shy gazelles are masters of camouflage in the desert sand. Our guides know exactly where to find them.
Life in the Bishnoi Village
