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aspects respectively, for it was in the past, is at present and will be in future, and it undergoes change or transformation from one mode (life) to another.
In nutshell the nature of Jiva conceived in Jain philosophy is that it is super sensuous, imperishable, immortal, impenetrable, non-corporeal, eternal and noneternal, infinite and finite, and dynamic in nature.
In general the following facts apply to the soul:
1. In the embodied existence, soul and body appear to be same but this is not really so.
2. Body is different from soul.
3. Soul contracts or expands to occupy the space of the body. The same soul can pervade the body of an elephant or an ant. Notwithstanding the size of the body, the number of pradesas of soul remains the same (countless).
4. Soul in the absolute sense is non corporeal and is recognized by his power of perceiving and knowing objects.
5. Soul is the source of awareness, knowledge, perception, happiness and vitality in a living organism.
6. Being invisible, soul is identified by his ability of cognizance, an embodied soul desires for comical amusement, recreation, pleasure, speech, movement etc.
7. The karma pudgalas attracted by a soul get converted into karma unaided.
8. The thoughts and actions of a soul leave a permanent impression. These impressions are stored in the karma body, which moves with the soul in his journey from one body to another.
9. The bondage of soul and karma is beginning less. The karma can be shed from the soul by practicing austerity and penance. This in fact, is the way to get rid of karma and attain the state of emancipation.
10. Soul is non-corporeal but he is embodied due to his impurity in the presence of karma.
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