cross the world, the word “karma” is spoken often:
“My karma is good.”
“He received that because of his karma.”
“It’s a result of past karma.”
But what is karma really?
While many religions refer to karma, no other system defines or classifies it as deeply as Jainism does. Today, let us explore the definition and classification of karma, from a Jain philosophical lens.
🔹 What Is Karma?
This entire universe is densely packed with karma particles. These particles, known as karma pudgals, constantly interact with our mind, speech, and body.
Whenever we act out of:
- Anger (Krodh)
- Pride (Maan)
- Deceit (Maya)
- Greed (Lobh)
—we attract karma.
These four passions, combined with mind, speech, and body activity, bind karma to the soul, constantly, endlessly—24/7. Even when we sleep, this activity continues.
Karma functions like ink absorbed by chalk. Our soul is like that chalk, continuously absorbing karma particles from the universe.
🔹 The Role of Karma: Cosmic Record Keeper
Karma acts as a recorder of every action we do—just like a camera records video.
It stores every activity on the soul. When the time is right, karma brings the equal and opposite reaction, delivering the fruit of our past actions.
Who tracks our actions?
Karma does.
🔹 The Eight Types of Karma in Jainism
According to Jain philosophy, there are eight primary types of karma, each covering or obscuring one of the soul’s infinite attributes:
- Jnanavaraniya Karma (Knowledge-Obscuring)
- Dulls wisdom and intelligence.
- Example: failure despite studying, low IQ, mental challenges.
- Darshanavaraniya Karma (Perception-Obscuring)
- Blocks spiritual vision or basic sensory perception.
- Example: blindness, deafness, excessive sleep or insomnia.
- Vedaniya Karma (Feeling-Producing)
- Governs physical and mental pleasure or pain.
- Example: health issues, suffering, emotional depression.
- Mohaniya Karma (Deluding)
- The most dangerous karma. Causes attachment and aversion.
- Responsible for emotions like fear, grief, and pride.
- Ayushya Karma (Lifespan-Determining)
- Decides the life form: human, animal, celestial, or hellish.
- Birth and death cycles happen because of this karma.
- Nama Karma (Physique-Determining)
- Determines the body’s structure, features, abilities.
- Example: becoming a healthy mango or a spoiled one, a beautiful body or disabled one.
- Gotra Karma (Status-Determining)
- Decides high or low birth, social prestige, surroundings.
- Example: being born into noble families or impoverished slums.
- Antaraya Karma (Obstructing)
- Creates obstacles in charity, practice, or receiving benefits.
- Example: everything seems to go fine, but success slips away at the last moment.
Each of these eight karmas blocks the eight natural attributes of the soul, not destroying them—but covering them. Like a lid covers a pot; once the lid is removed, the soul’s true power can shine.
🔹 Real-Life Examples
- A bright student failing: Jnanavaraniya Karma
- Born blind or deaf: Darshanavaraniya Karma
- Chronic pain, illness, depression: Vedaniya Karma
- Sudden mood swings, rage, or grief: Mohaniya Karma
- Rebirths in lower realms or as animals: Ayushya Karma
- Shape, beauty, or strength of body: Nama Karma
- Born in a respectful home or violent society: Gotra Karma
- Opportunities slipping away mysteriously: Antaraya Karma
There are 148 subtypes of karma, and their study can take years. We’re merely scratching the surface in 15 minutes.
✅ Conclusion: The Science of Karma Is Profound
Everything that happens to us today is a result of the karma we’ve bound in the past. Everything we’re doing now will bear fruit in the future. The soul constantly absorbs karma through mind, speech, and body, powered by emotions like anger, pride, deceit, and greed.
Karma functions like a perfect cosmic accounting system—recording, storing, and delivering. Though karma itself is lifeless, it reacts exactly as imprinted by us.
This science is deep and transformative.
In the future, we hope to dedicate entire series just on karma, where each episode focuses on one karma type. Today was an introduction.
May this knowledge inspire self-awareness, and may we start recognizing the invisible forces shaping our journey.