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## Gommatasar Karmakanda-2
**Meaning:** Here, the author, Shri Nemichandracharya, after saluting Lord Neminath, promises to explain the 'Prakriti Samutkirtan' text, which describes the nature of the original karma, including its different aspects and the unveiling of knowledge. What is the meaning of the word 'Prakriti'? In response, the Acharya says in the Sutra:
**Sutra:**
*Payadi sil sahavo, jivanganam anaisambandho.*
*Kanayovale malan va, tanasthittan sayam siddh.* ||2||
**Meaning:** Prakriti, Sheel (character) and Swabhav (nature) are one. Just as there is an eternal connection between the dust and the celestial stone, similarly, there is an eternal connection between the Jiva (soul) and the body (karma). The existence of both is self-evident.
**Special Meaning:** The meaning of Prakriti is Sheel or Swabhav. For example, the upward movement of fire, the horizontal movement of air, and the downward movement of water are their natural tendencies. Similarly, whatever exists independently of any cause and is inherent in itself is its Swabhav. The Jiva's nature is to undergo transformations like Raga (attachment) etc., and the nature of karma is to undergo transformations in accordance with those. The existence of the Jiva is established by the 'Aham' (I) perception, and the existence of karma is established by the increase and decrease of knowledge in the Jiva, because without Avarana karma (covering karma), there cannot be liberation.
**Doubt:** If Raga etc. arise due to the rise of karma, and karma is bound due to Raga etc., then there is a circular dependency, because karma cannot be bound without Raga etc., and the binding and rising of karma cannot happen without Raga etc.
**Solution:** The binding of the Jiva and karma has been happening since time immemorial. Secondly, Raga etc. arise due to the rise of previously bound karma, and new karma is bound due to Raga etc. If the same karma binding were the cause of Raga etc., then circular dependency would be possible, but that is not the case.
**Doubt:** The Jiva is non-material, and karma is material. The binding of the material and non-material is impossible. If the material and non-material were to bind, then there would be a possibility of karma binding even for things like space.
**Solution:** It is not entirely true that the Jiva is non-material. In relation to the karma-bound state and due to its association with it, the Jiva is somewhat material, and in relation to its pure form, it is somewhat non-material. It is also said:
1. Sarvarthasiddhi 8.3
2. Sagadparinamanamatmanah swabhavah ragadyutpadakatvam tu karmanah. Karmakanda Sanskrit Teeka, Sutra 2.
3. Jayadhaval, Part 1, Page 56.