Why do Digambara monks sweep the ground with peacock-feather dusters?

Digambara monks use a peacock-feather duster to sweep the ground where they walk as a practical application of ahimsa, the fundamental Jain ethical principle of nonviolence toward all living things.123

By gently clearing their path, the monks aim to avoid accidentally trampling or injuring small insects and other microscopic life-forms that may be on the ground. This practice reflects the ascetic's commitment to the "great vows" (mahavratas), which require the utmost care to prevent causing harm—knowingly or unknowingly—to any living soul (jiva).231