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## The Kasayapahudu Sutra: The Nature of Karma and the Causes of Karma-Bondage
The word "karma" means action, that is, the action performed by a living being (jiva). While this is the etymological meaning of the word, according to Jain belief, it is important to understand that the actions of a worldly being, which are manifested in the form of mental, verbal, and physical impulses (movements), are called "yoga." Due to this yoga, subtle particles called karma-atoms are attracted towards the soul and, fueled by the soul's passions (kasaya) of attachment and aversion, become bound to the soul. Thus, yoga brings karma-atoms into the soul, and kasaya binds them to the soul's regions.
According to Jain terminology, the influx of karma-atoms into the soul through mental, verbal, and physical activity is called "asrava," and their binding to the soul's regions through passions (kasaya) is called "bandha." In essence, the soul's yogic power and kasaya are both causes of karma-bondage.
If kasaya is removed from the soul, then even though yoga continues, karma-atoms will still enter the soul, but they will not be able to stay due to the absence of kasaya. As an analogy, yoga can be compared to wind, kasaya to glue, the soul to a wall, and karma-atoms to dust. If there is glue on the wall, then dust carried by the wind will stick to the wall. If the wall is bare and dry, then the dust carried by the wind will not stick to the wall and will immediately fall off. Here, the amount of dust carried by the wind depends on the speed of the wind. If the wind is strong, then more dust will be carried, and if the wind is weak, then less dust will be carried.
Similarly, the duration for which dust sticks to the wall depends on the strength of the adhesive power of the glue applied to it. If the wall is only wet with water, then the dust will fall off quickly, but if oil or glue is applied to the wall, then it will take a long time for the dust to fall off. The same principle applies to yoga and kasaya. The amount of karma-atoms attracted depends on the intensity and weakness of the yogic power. If the yogic power is strong, then more karma-atoms will be attracted to the soul, and if the yogic power is moderate or weak, then fewer karma-atoms will be attracted to the soul accordingly.
Similarly, if kasaya is strong, then karma-atoms will remain bound to the soul for a longer time and will produce intense results. And if kasaya is weak, then the atoms will remain bound to the soul for a shorter time and will produce less intense results. Although there are some exceptions, this is a general rule.
## Types of Karma-Bondage
Thus, the bondage of karma-atoms to the soul through yoga and kasaya is of four types: **prakritibandha**, **sthitibandha**, **anubhagabandh**, and **pradeshabandha**.
**Prakritibandha** refers to the nature of the incoming karma-atoms. The inherent nature of karma-atoms to obstruct the soul's knowledge, perception, etc., is called prakritibandha.
**Sthitibandha** refers to the time limit. Along with the arrival of karma-atoms, their duration is also bound, meaning they will remain for a specific period.