Answer

In Jain Dharma, āyu karma — the karma that determines the next life’s lifespan and realm of birth — is bound only once in a lifetime, at a specific stage before death.

This binding is traditionally called āyu-bandha.

Explanation

Āyu karma for the next birth is generally bound when a living being’s present life has reached a certain remaining portion. It is not continuously bound throughout life like many other karmas.

At that time, the soul’s inner state — such as passions, attachments, cruelty, compassion, restraint, or spiritual purity — becomes a major cause for the type of next āyu karma bound.

Āyu karma may determine birth in one of four destinies:

• Narak āyu – hellish life
• Tiryanch āyu – animal/plant/one-sensed or sub-human life
• Manushya āyu – human life
• Dev āyu – celestial life

Spiritual Understanding

This teaching shows that life should not be wasted. A person’s conduct, passions, intentions, and spiritual discipline deeply influence future birth.

Especially near the later part of life, Jain Dharma emphasizes:

• reducing attachment, anger, pride, deceit, and greed
• practicing forgiveness
• doing pratikraman
• maintaining samayik and dharm dhyan
• accepting death peacefully with spiritual awareness

Takeaway

Āyu karma is bound once during life, before death, and it determines the lifespan and realm of the next birth. Therefore, Jain Dharma teaches us to live every moment with awareness, restraint, compassion, and detachment.