Answer

In Jain Dharma, even if two people truly love each other and intend to marry, physical intimacy like kissing before marriage is generally considered a form of rāga — attachment and sensual passion. So it can still become a cause of mohaniya karma because it strengthens attraction, desire, and emotional attachment.

About kushīl: in the layperson’s vows, avoiding sexual misconduct means maintaining purity and self-restraint in relationships. Different Jain families and traditions may explain the boundary differently, but Jain ethics clearly encourages brahmacharya according to one’s stage of life, modesty, and restraint before marriage.

So it is better not to say, “No karma is bound.” Jainism teaches that intention, passion, attachment, and bodily action all matter.

Explanation

If the kiss is not done with lustful intention, anger, deceit, or exploitation, then it may not be the same as severe misconduct. But if it increases:

• desire,
• attachment,
• emotional dependency,
• sensual imagination,
• loss of self-control,

then it mainly binds mohaniya karma, especially related to attachment and sensual craving.

Regarding jñānāvaraṇīya karma, Jainism does not usually say that one loving kiss directly “blocks knowledge” in the same simple way. But when moha increases, it can indirectly disturb clarity, discipline, study, samayik, pratikraman, and spiritual focus. So the main concern is mohaniya karma, but moha can still weaken inner awareness.

Spiritual Understanding

Jain Dharma does not deny love. But it teaches that love should become:

• respectful,
• disciplined,
• truthful,
• non-possessive,
• within dharmic boundaries.

If you both truly love each other and intend to marry, the spiritually safer path is to protect that love with restraint. Real love should help both souls move toward purity, not deeper attachment.

Takeaway

A kiss before marriage, even from love, can still bind karma if it involves attachment and sensual passion. The main karma involved is mohaniya karma, but increased moha can indirectly affect spiritual clarity too. In Jain Dharma, the safest choice is self-restraint, maryādā, and purity until marriage.