In Jainism, “bhāv” (भाव) and “bhāvanā” (भावना / bhavna) are closely related but not the same:

1. What is bhāv?

• Bhāv = inner state, intention, feeling, attitude of the soul at a given moment.
• It is what is going on inside:

- e.g. anger-bhāv, greed-bhāv, compassion-bhāv, detachment-bhāv.

• In Jain karma theory, karma binds mainly because of bhāv, not just outer action.

- Same act with violent bhāv binds heavy karma, - Same act with pure, careful bhāv binds very little or none.

So, bhāv is the inner colour of the soul at that time.

2. What are bhavnas?

• Bhavnas are deliberate, repeated spiritual reflections we do to change and purify our bhāv.
• Examples:

- 12 Bhavnas (Anitya, Asharan, Samsar, Ekatva, Anyatva, etc.) ( jainknowledge.com) - 4 Bhavnas in Pratikraman: Maitri (friendliness), Pramod, Karuna, Madhyasthata. ( jainknowledge.com)

When we meditate on a bhavna, we are:

• taking one pure idea (e.g. “everything is impermanent” – Anitya Bhavna),
• thinking on it again and again,
• so that our inner bhāv becomes detached, calm, non‑violent.

So, bhavnas are tools/practices; bhāv is the inner state they are trying to shape.

3. Relationship in simple words

• Bhavna is the practice.
• Bhāv is the result inside.

Or:

> “Right bhavnas create right bhāv.”

By doing bhavnas regularly:

• wrong bhāv like anger, pride, greed, attachment slowly reduce,
• right bhāv like shanti (peace), samata (equanimity), daya (compassion), vitarāgata (detachment) increase. ( jainknowledge.com)

You can read a simple explanation of the 12 Bhavnas here