In Jain Dharma, karmic bondage applies to the soul (jīva), not to the body alone.

A simple way to understand it:

• The body is matter (pudgala).
• The soul is conscious (chetan).
• Karma is also subtle matter, and it binds to the soul because of the soul’s passions, ignorance, and activity.

So the body is not the main holder of karma. Rather, the soul attracts karmic particles, and those karmas then give rise to the body, senses, lifespan, and other conditions.

About “the soul is ever free”

From the pure intrinsic nature of the soul, yes — the soul is ever pure, conscious, and मुक्त / free in nature.

But in the empirical or worldly state, the soul is covered and bound by karmas. So:

• In essence: the soul is pure and liberated in nature.
• In bondage: the soul appears bound because of karma.

This is why Jain philosophy says the soul is not really changed in its true nature, but its powers are obscured by karmic bondage.

In brief

• Bondage is on the soul
• Body is a result of karma
• Soul is inherently pure
• Liberation means removing karma and realizing that pure nature

If you want, I can also explain this using the Jain ideas of nischaya naya and vyavahāra naya in a very simple way.