Imagine karma in Jainism as invisible particles of matter clinging to the soul—tiny weights that slow down its journey toward ultimate freedom. Every thought, word or deed stirs up karma-matter: a harsh word adds a heavy grain, an act of compassion attracts a lighter one. Since 2025’s Mahavir Jayanti celebrations underscored non-violence more than ever, many have been reminded that harmlessness (ahimsa) isn’t just a moral slogan but a practical shield against piling on new karmic dust.

Unlike a cosmic scoreboard doling out rewards and punishments, Jain karma is profoundly physical. It behaves like magnetic dust: the more passions—anger, greed or deceit—the stronger the pull. Ascetic practices, meditation and strict vegetarianism serve as purification rituals, helping the soul slough off these layers, much like peeling an onion. By refusing to harm any living being, a practitioner stops fresh karmic particles from settling in.

In today’s digital age, there’s an interesting parallel: just as every social media post leaves an enduring footprint, every intention in Jain life leaves an imprint on the soul’s record. Mindful awareness becomes a daily act of freedom-seeking. Fasting during Paryushana or observing silence (mauna) for a day echoes the commitment to loosen karmic bonds, bit by bit.

Karma’s ultimate role in Jain thought is not punishment but education. It teaches patience, empathy and unwavering self-control. Liberation (moksha) finally arrives when the soul, polished pure, escapes the cycle of birth and death. With no sticky karma left behind, it rises to its natural state of eternal bliss. Sometimes it takes the discipline of ancient vows; other times, a single spark of right knowledge can set the cleansing process in motion. Either way, every step toward non-violence and self-purification chips away at the karmic prison, revealing the soul’s true light underneath.