In Jainism, ātma (ātmā) is the soul (jīva) – the real “I” within every living being.

1. What is ātma in Jainism?

• Ātma = jīva = soul = chetan (conscious principle).
• It is eternal – it is never created and never destroyed.
• It is conscious – its very nature is knowing and perceiving (upayoga: jñān + darshan).
• It is different from body, senses and mind – these are like clothes or instruments; the soul is the user. ( jainknowledge.com)

In very simple words: “Ātma is the living, knowing, feeling reality inside us, which never dies.”

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2. Natural qualities of the soul

In its pure state, the soul has infinite:

• Knowledge (anant jñān)
• Perception (anant darshan)
• Bliss (anant sukha)
• Energy (anant vīrya) ( jainknowledge.com)

Right now we do not experience these infinite qualities fully because of karma.

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3. Soul and karma

• The soul, due to passions (kashāya) and activities of mind–speech–body, attracts very subtle karmic matter.
• This karmic matter sticks to the soul and covers its natural qualities.
• Because of karma, the soul wanders in saṃsār – birth, death and rebirth in different bodies. ( jainknowledge.com)

So: Pure ātma = full light. Worldly ātma = light covered by dust (karma).

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4. Worldly soul and liberated soul

1. Saṃsārī jīva (worldly soul)

- Occupies a body (from one-sensed up to five-sensed beings). - Fills and pervades that body, taking its size and shape. ( jainknowledge.com) - Experiences pleasure and pain according to its karma.

1. Siddha ātma (liberated soul)

- Completely free from all karmas. - Resides forever at the top of the universe (Siddhaśilā). - Always manifests infinite knowledge, perception, bliss and energy, with no body, no senses, no gender, no movement. ( jainknowledge.com)

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5. Path for the soul: how ātma becomes pure

The aim of Jain Dharma is to help the soul return to its pure state.

This is done through the Three Jewels (Ratnatraya):

1. Samyak Darshan – Right Faith / Right vision of truth.
2. Samyak Jñān – Right Knowledge.
3. Samyak Chāritra – Right Conduct (non-violence, self-discipline, vows, etc.). ( jainknowledge.com)

By following these, karmas are gradually stopped and destroyed, and the natural purity of ātma shines forth.

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6. Digambar and Śvetāmbara view

On the basic concept of ātma, both traditions agree:

• Every living being has a jīva/ātma.
• The soul is eternal, conscious, and pure by nature, but bound by karma.
• Liberation (moksha) is the karmaless, perfect state at Siddhaśilā. ( jainknowledge.com)

Differences between Digambar and Śvetāmbara are in some details of discipline, scripture, and description of liberated beings, not in the core definition of soul.

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In summary:

Ātma in Jainism is the eternal, conscious soul – separate from body and mind, naturally full of infinite knowledge, perception, bliss and energy, but presently covered by karma. Jain Dharma is the practical path to remove that karma and let the soul become a Siddha.

You can read more in simple form here: “What is atma” “Meaning of Aatma”