Answer

In Jain karma theory, Āyu karma is generally not bound at the exact point of death. It is bound earlier, during a specific eligible period of the present life, and it determines the lifespan of the next birth.

That is why, in the lifespan elaboration, it may not say that one binds Āyu karma “at the point of death.” The death moment is mainly the time when the already-bound next-life Āyu karma becomes operative for the next existence, not normally the time of its new bondage.

Explanation

In Jain doctrine, the next life is not decided randomly at death. It is shaped by karmic causes already accumulated before death.

For Āyu karma:

• It determines the duration and type of the next life.
• Its bondage occurs before the end of the present life, when the soul is still embodied and experiencing passions, activities, and intentions.
• At death, the soul leaves the present body and immediately takes the next birth according to the already-bound Āyu karma.

So if Bhagavatī Sūtra or its explanation is discussing lifespan, it may focus on the functioning, duration, or classification of lifespan rather than saying “Āyu karma is bound at death,” because that wording would be doctrinally inaccurate or at least incomplete.

Important Clarification

Some Jain explanations say that Āyu karma is bound near the end of life, or during certain final portions of life, depending on the being and karmic condition. But “near death” should not be confused with “at the exact moment of death.”

The exact death moment is the transition point from one embodiment to another. It is not usually described as the fresh binding point of the next lifespan karma.

Spiritual Understanding

This teaching is important because Jain Dharma emphasizes that our future birth is shaped by our inner state, passions, conduct, and karmic bondage while we are living.

Therefore, one should not think:

• “Only the final moment matters.”
• “I can live carelessly and fix everything at death.”

Instead, Jain Dharma teaches constant awareness, restraint, repentance, equanimity, and purification throughout life.

Takeaway

Bhagavatī Sūtra does not say that Āyu karma is bound at the point of death because, according to Jain karma doctrine, the next-life lifespan karma is bound before death, and at death it comes into effect for the next birth.