All types of kashay and their interrelation
In Jain Dharma, kashāy means passions that disturb the soul and bind karma.
1. Four main Kashāy (Mukhya kashāy)
These are the root passions:
- Krodh (क्रोध) – Anger
- Mān (मान) – Ego / Pride
- Māyā (माया) – Deceit / Crookedness
- Lobh (लोभ) – Greed / Excessive desire ( jainknowledge.com)
All bondage‑creating conduct is basically some form or mixture of these four.
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2. Their 4 intensities (how strong they are)
Each of the four kashāy can arise in four strength-levels, so 4 × 4 = 16 types of kashāy. ( jainknowledge.com)
- Anantanubandhi (अन्तानुबन्धी) – Extremely severe
- Totally blocks right faith and right conduct. - As long as this is active, no samyak darshan (right belief) is possible.
- Apratyākhyānavaraniya (अप्रत्याख्यानावरणीय) – Severe
- Right faith may be there, but even small vows (anuvrat) cannot be taken.
- Pratyākhyānavaraniya (प्रत्याख्यानावरणीय) – Moderate
- One can take partial vows, but full renunciation (like monkhood) is obstructed.
- Sanjvalan (संज्वलन) – Mild
- Very subtle, present even in high‑level spiritual stages; blocks only perfect conduct (vitarāg charitra).
So, for each of the four passions you have:
- Krodh of 4 levels
- Mān of 4 levels
- Māyā of 4 levels
- Lobh of 4 levels
= 16 passion-types under Charitra‑mohaniya karma.
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3. Nine No‑kashāy (pseudo‑passions)
These are not the four main kashāy, but sub-passions that trigger or colour them. ( jainknowledge.com)
- Hāsya – Laughter / joking attitude
- Rati – Sensual liking, indulgent pleasure
- Arati – Dislike, boredom, irritation
- Shoka – Sorrow, grief
- Bhaya – Fear
- Jugupsā – Disgust, aversion
- Purush‑veda – Sexual urge towards male
- Strī‑veda – Sexual urge towards female
- Napumsaka‑veda – Sexual urge towards both (mixed)
They excite and support krodh, mān, māyā, lobh, and so deepen bondage.
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4. Relation with Mohanīya Karma
All kashāy arise from Mohaniya (deluding) karma, especially:
- Charitra‑mohaniya karma =
Plus Darshan‑mohaniya (wrong belief side) makes total 28 kinds of Mohaniya karma. ( jainknowledge.com)
As long as these are active, the soul cannot stay in steady right faith and pure conduct.
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5. How the four Kashāy are inter‑related
- All four come from Rāg–Dveṣh (attachment–aversion)
- Where there is strong liking/attachment → Lobh, Māyā, Mān arise. - Where that liking gets blocked or opposed → Krodh arises. ( jainknowledge.com)
- They support each other
- Out of Lobh (greed) one may use Māyā (deceit). - Success in deceit gives Mān (ego). - If someone opposes that ego, Krodh (anger) bursts out.
In practice, one kashāy almost never comes alone; they are mixed.
- Greed is said to be the strongest and most lasting
- Anger may flare and go, but greed keeps pulling the soul towards possessions and pleasures again and again. - So many Āchāryas say: if lobh is not conquered, the others easily come back.
- They directly cause karma‑bandh (bondage)
- Whatever we think / speak / do under krodh–mān–māyā–lobh pulls new karma to the soul (āsrava) and binds it tightly (bandh). - When they are reduced, samvar (stoppage of karma inflow) and nirjarā (shedding of past karma) become strong.
- Both traditions (Digambar & Shvetāmbara)
- Fully accept these four main kashāy, their four intensities, and the 9 no‑kashāy in essence. - Terminology or detail may vary slightly, but meaning is the same: these passions are the soul’s biggest enemies and must be subdued for moksha.
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6. Simple summary
- Main kashāy (4):
- Levels (4):
- Supporters (9 no‑kashāy):
- All arise from Mohaniya karma, feeding on attachment & aversion, and they work together to keep the soul in samsār.
You can read more in simple language here: Kashayas – Jain Facts and Concepts