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## Introduction
The soul is the foundation of all Jain thought, contemplation, and analysis. The soul is an all-powerful, independent force. It is both the creator of its own happiness and sorrow, and the one who experiences the fruits of its actions. The soul itself is formless, perfectly pure, yet it wanders through the world in a state of coldness, ignorance, and impurity. Despite being inherently blissful, it is caught in the cycle of happiness and sorrow. Though eternal and immortal, it is swept away in the flow of birth and death. It is astonishing that the soul, which is supremely powerful, is also experiencing suffering and hardship in the world as a helpless, sorrowful, and impoverished being. What is the reason for this?
Jain philosophy, while examining this reason, states that karma is what causes the soul to wander in the world. Karma is the root of birth and death - "Kammam ca jai maranassa mulan" - this statement of Bhagwan Shri Mahavira is absolutely true, a fact. Due to karma, this universe is constantly changing through various cycles of events. While theistic philosophies attribute the diversity of this world and happiness and sorrow to God, Jain philosophy considers karma as the cause of all happiness, sorrow, and the diversity of the world. Karma itself is not an independent force, it is matter, inert. However, when performed by the soul driven by attachment and aversion, it becomes so powerful and potent that it binds the doer in its chains. It even makes the master its servant. This is the extraordinary power of karma. All of our lives and the world around us...