In Jainism, “bhav karma” in English is usually translated as:

• “Psychic karma” or
• “Mental / emotional state of karma” or
• “Internal disposition (attitude) that causes karma.”

More clearly:

• Bhav = inner state, attitude, intention, feelings of attachment–aversion (raag–dvesh).
• Karma = bondage to the soul.

So bhav karma means:

> The inner mental–emotional state of the soul (attachment, aversion, passions, intentions) at the time karma is bound.

Jain texts explain:

• The karmic matter stuck to the soul is called dravya karma (material karma).
• The inner mental state like attachment, hatred, anger, greed, etc. is called bhav karma (psychic karma / mental karma).

In simple English, you can remember:

> Bhav karma = the soul’s inner attitude that attracts and binds karmic particles.

You can read more about karma and bhav karma here and here .