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PRINCIPLES OF KARMA
the activity. The fruits of these Karmas are inevitable in due course of time. This has been counselled in the scriptures and propounded by the mystic sages in various ways.
One cannot be free from the bonds of Karmas even if countless centuries pass away. Whatever good or bad action the person (Jiva or Soul) has performed, he must necessarily be rewarded or punished.
Thus, even though we have been enlightened on the doctrine of Karma by various philosophers, its detailed and most subtle form has been scientifically laid down and analyzed by the Jain Tirthankaras (Jinas - the omniscient ones). We shall now explain it very briefly.
LAW OF BONDAGE OF KARMA
The main reason of bondage of Karma with Jiva is the individual's thought-process. The principle of bondage of Karma functions mainly in accordance with the thought-process associated with the Soul (Jiva). Even though the chief regulating cause here is the internal feelings of the Soul, the associated activities of the body, speech and the mind also act as secondary causes of bondage.
The whole universe is pervaded with subtle particles with potentiality to get transformed to Karmic molecules (Dravya-Karma). When the Soul (Jiva) is actuated by passions, such as Greed, Anger, Lust, Compassion, Friendship and so on, these particles are transformed into various Karmas and get attached to the Soul.
Let us take one example. Suppose somebody becomes proud. Now depending upon the intention of pride, its intensity and the activities of the individual, the particles of Karma will get attached to his Soul.
Just as food gets digested and transformed automatically into blood, flesh, bones, semen, marrow and so on, the particles of Karma take typical forms befitting the attitude of the Jiva and get firmly bound to it.
CHARACTERISTICS OF KARMA
At every moment new Karma particles attach to the Soul through the activities of Body, Mind, and Speech. At the same time old Karma particles detach from the Soul after producing the results. This process occurs simultaneously and continuously
KARMA-NA NIYAMO
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