Answer

In Jain Dharma, birth in a third gender bhav is understood as the result of specific nāma karma and related karmas that determine the body, physical form, and gender-condition of a living being.

Jain scriptures explain that a soul receives a particular body and gender according to the karma bound in previous births, especially karmas connected with:

• Śarīra-nāma karma – body-making karma
• Liṅga-related karma – karma connected with gender-form and bodily characteristics
• Vedanīya and mohanīya karma – karmas influencing experiences, passions, desires, and attachments

However, Jain Dharma does not teach that such a birth should be judged with hatred, insult, or contempt. Every soul is fundamentally pure and capable of spiritual progress.

Explanation

According to Jain karma theory, the soul itself has no gender. Gender belongs to the body, not to the true nature of the soul.

A soul may be born as male, female, or third gender depending on previously bound karmas. These karmas are formed through passions such as:

• strong attachment to sensual pleasure,
• delusion regarding the body and sexuality,
• deceitful or uncontrolled conduct connected with passions,
• intense rāga and moha related to bodily identity.

But the exact karmic cause of a specific person’s birth cannot be known by ordinary people. Jain Dharma teaches us not to judge another person’s karma.

Spiritual Understanding

From the Jain perspective:

• The soul is eternal, conscious, and separate from the body.
• Gender is a temporary condition caused by karma.
• All living beings deserve compassion, respect, and non-violence.
• Any soul, regardless of bodily form, can practice right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct according to its capacity.

Therefore, if someone is born with third gender bhav, the proper Jain response is karuṇā, respect, and samatā, not criticism.

Takeaway

In Jain Dharma, third gender bhav arises due to previously bound body-making and passion-related karmas, but no one should be judged or disrespected because of it. The true soul is beyond gender, and every soul has the potential for purification and liberation.