In Jainism, the 7 Tattvas are the basic truths that explain:

• what the soul is,
• how it gets bound by karma, and
• how it becomes free (moksha).

Very simply:

1. Jiva (जीव) – Soul / Living being

- The conscious part. - “I” who knows, feels, enjoys, suffers. - Every living being (from one-sense to five-sense) is a jiva.

1. Ajiva (अजीव) – Non‑soul

- Everything that is not soul. - Matter, body, speech, thoughts as dravya, space, time, etc. - Ajiva itself is lifeless; it does not feel pleasure or pain.

1. Asrava (आस्रव) – Inflow of karma

- When we act with mind, speech, body under passions (anger, pride, deceit, greed), fine karmic particles flow into the soul. - This entrance of karmic matter is called asrava.

1. Bandha (बन्ध) – Bondage of karma

- Not only do karmas come in, they stick to the soul. - This sticking / binding of karmic particles with the soul is bandha. - Because of this, the pure soul cannot manifest its full knowledge, bliss, power.

1. Samvara (संवर) – Stoppage of new karma

- We start closing the doors through which karma comes in. - How? By right faith, right knowledge, right conduct, vows, self‑control, carefulness, restraint of passions, meditation, etc. - As samvara increases, new karmas stop entering.

1. Nirjara (निर्जरा) – Shedding of old karma

- The already‑bound karmas are gradually removed from the soul. - This happens by: - calmly bearing results of past karma, and - doing tapas (austerities), repentance, forgiveness, etc. - Like cleaning dust already settled in a house.

1. Moksha (मोक्ष) – Liberation

- When all karmas are completely finished and no new karma comes in, the soul becomes absolutely pure. - Infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite bliss, no rebirth – this is moksha.

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Connection between them (simple picture)

• Jiva (soul) lives among Ajiva (non‑soul).
• Because of wrong belief, ignorance, and passions:

- Asrava: karmas flow in. - Bandha: karmas bind to the soul.

• Through spiritual practice:

- Samvara: stop new karmas. - Nirjara: remove old karmas.

• Result:

- Moksha: soul becomes completely free.

Sometimes Jain texts speak of Nav Tattva (9 tattvas), where Punya (good karma) and Paap (bad karma) are also counted separately along with these seven. You can read a simple explanation of Nav Tattvas here