Answer

Pāpānubandhī puṇya means merit karma that eventually leads to demerit and suffering. In simple words, it is good karma that gives temporary happiness, but because it is mixed with attachment, pride, or desire, it later becomes the cause of more bondage.

Explanation

In Jain Dharma, not all “good” actions give pure spiritual benefit.

A person may do something meritorious, such as:

• charity
• service
• पूजा or ritual
• helping others

But if that act is done with:

• ego
• selfish expectation
• attachment to reward
• desire for fame or comfort

then it becomes pāpānubandhī puṇya.

It may bring pleasant worldly results for a time, but it does not lead toward liberation. Instead, it strengthens worldly attachment and creates more karmic bondage.

Spiritual Understanding

Jain Dharma teaches that the inner intention matters as much as the outer action.

• Pure puṇya helps the soul move toward peace and detachment.
• Pāpānubandhī puṇya gives worldly pleasure, but keeps the soul bound in the cycle of karma.

So even a good deed can become spiritually harmful if it increases greed, pride, or attachment.

Takeaway

Pāpānubandhī puṇya is merit that looks good on the surface but leads to future suffering because of wrong intention. In Jain practice, the goal is to do good deeds with humility, detachment, and purity of mind.