Important point first:

• Yes, even a mithyādṛṣṭi (wrong‑believing) jīva can feel regret and go to a sādhū for prāyaścitta.

But the inner reason and depth of that feeling are very different from a samyakdṛṣṭi jīva.

Let’s keep this very simple and compare both.

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1. Basic Jain view: what really gives bondage?

• In any hiṁsā, two things matter:

1. Dravya‑hiṁsā – actual physical killing/harm. 2. Bhāva‑hiṁsā – inner state: anger, pride, deceit, greed, carelessness, attachment, etc.

• Unknowingly killing a jīva:

- Dravya‑hiṁsā happened. - But if there was no carelessness / negligence and no bad passion, then bhāva‑hiṁsā is lighter. - Still, a serious spiritual person will do pratikraman / prāyaścitta to purify bhāva.

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2. How a samyakdṛṣṭi jīva reacts

A samyakdṛṣṭi jīva has right faith in tattva (soul, karma, hiṁsā, etc.). So:

1. Immediate inner awareness

- The moment he knows, “Some jīva has died because of me,” a soft, pure regret arises: - “Through my activities, another soul suffered – this is not good for my own soul.”

1. No hatred, no depression, no self‑destruction

- He doesn’t go into “I’m horrible, everything is over.” - He remembers: this is my own past karma’s result; now I must purify my bhāva.

1. Prompt spiritual response

- He goes towards dharma: - Does alochanā–pratikraman–pratyākhyān. - If guided by a Guru, takes prāyaścitta from a sadhu / āchārya (as per tradition). - He tries to increase alertness (apramāda) so it doesn’t happen again.

1. Less moha, more responsibility

- He does not say, “It happened unknowingly, so no problem at all.” - He accepts: “Physical hiṁsā happened; I must become more careful and purify my inner state.”

Result:

• Karmic bondage is less, because:

- Right belief is there. - No hardness of heart. - He uses the event to grow in vigilance and compassion.

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3. How a mithyādṛṣṭi jīva reacts

Mithyādṛṣṭi = wrong view / no faith in real tattvas (or very weak/shaky).

He also can feel bad, but usually:

1. Feeling is more worldly

- He feels: - Fear: “Will I get punished? Will people blame me?” - Attachment: “My image, my loss, my comfort.” - Often does not connect it deeply with: - “This is karmic bondage to my soul; I must change my inner bhāva.”

1. Two common reactions (both possible in different people):

- (a) Hardness / Justification - “It was by mistake; what can I do? Everyone kills something.” - No real inner repentance. - (b) Emotional disturbance - Cries, gets scared, panics, - But still without right understanding of tattva, so it doesn’t become true prāyaścitta.

1. Going to a sadhu?

- He may go to a sadhu / temple: - Because family says, - Or fear, - Or to “cancel” sin mechanically. - But if right faith is not awakened, this remains more ritualistic, less soul‑centric.

1. Less stable change

- Even if he feels bad for some time, without samyak‑darshan his: - Alertness doesn’t become strong, - Same kind of hiṁsā may repeat again and again.

Result:

• Karmic bondage can still be heavy, because:

- Underlying wrong belief and passions remain. - Regret is often mixed with fear, ego, or ignorance, not real tattva‑shraddhā.

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4. Main visible difference between the two

In the same event (unknowingly killing a jīva):

Samyakdṛṣṭi jīva

• Atma‑centered thinking: “My soul, its purity, its bondage.”
• Soft, humble regret (lājjā, vinay, karuṇā).
• Natural move towards:

- Pratikraman, prāyaścitta, - Greater apramāda (care / vigilance).

• Uses the incident as a step towards spiritual growth.

Mithyādṛṣṭi jīva

• World‑centered thinking: “Me, my fear, my image, my benefit.”
• Either:

- Justifies / ignores, or - Feels emotional but directionless.

• Even if he does some ritual, often:

- No deep change in view (darshan), - Same pattern continues.

So the external act of going to a sadhu / temple can look same, but the inner drishti and bhāva are very different – and that decides the karma‑bandh.

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5. In simple words

• Unknowingly killing is also hiṁsā, but lighter if there is no negligence or bad passion.
• Both samyakdṛṣṭi and mithyādṛṣṭi can feel bad.
• Real spiritual difference:

- Samyakdṛṣṭi: regret with right understanding → pratikraman → more care → spiritual progress. - Mithyādṛṣṭi: regret (or no regret) mostly from fear/attachment → little real inner change.

If you want, you can also read more on concepts like samyak‑drishti and hiṁsā–bhāva here