This book investigates the apparent paradox of how a community deeply committed to the ascetic ideals of world-renunciation can simultaneously thrive as a prosperous, business-oriented society. James Laidlaw, an anthropologist specializing in South Asian studies, utilizes ethnographic data collected in the city of Jaipur to examine the daily lives and religious practices of the Jain community. He argues that renunciation is not merely an individual act of withdrawal but a central, structural component that informs the social and economic identity of the entire Jain population.

Scholars and anthropologists frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the intersection of religious asceticism and economic life in South Asia. Experts highlight the clarity of the ethnographic research and the depth of the author's analysis regarding the social dynamics of the Jain community.