Answer

In Jain Dharma, karma is not transferred from one soul to another. So when we pray for someone or do tapa for someone, it does not mean their karma has moved to us or that our karma has moved to them.

What it can do is:

• create punya and purity in the one who prays or तपस्या करता है,
• create auspicious support for the other person,
• become a nimitta or helping cause for their inner change,
• strengthen shubha bhavna and compassionate connection.

Explanation

Jain philosophy says every soul is bound by its own karma and must experience the results of that karma itself. No one can literally take away another person’s karma.

But prayer and tapa still matter because they work in an indirect way:

• Your prayer changes your own inner state

It softens the mind, increases compassion, and creates positive spiritual vibrations.

• Your tapa creates your own punya

That punya does not “erase” someone else’s karma, but it can become a favorable support.

• The other person may receive inspiration and strength

If they are receptive, your prayer can help them become calmer, more श्रद्धालु, and more आत्म-जागृत.

So the effect is not “karma transfer.” It is spiritual support, merit, and supportive causes.

Spiritual Understanding

This is very important in Jain Dharma because it preserves the truth of self-responsibility.

• No one can save us by taking our karma away.
• No one can suffer our karma in our place.
• But others can help us through good intentions, blessings, guidance, and supportive conduct.

That is why Jainism values:

• self-effort
• right faith
• right conduct
• compassionate support for others

Prayer for others is meaningful because it creates purity in the heart and becomes a noble supportive cause, not because karma is physically transferred.

Takeaway

In Jainism, karma is not transferred. Prayer and tapa for someone else work by creating auspicious inner states, punya, and supportive conditions—while the soul’s own liberation still depends on its own effort.