Answer

In Jain Dharma, karma is broadly divided into two main types:

• Ghāti Karma – karmas that directly obstruct the qualities of the soul.
• Aghāti Karma – karmas that do not directly obstruct the soul’s essential qualities, but determine worldly existence.

There are 8 main types of karma:

• 4 Ghāti karmas
• 4 Aghāti karmas

Ghāti Karma

Ghāti means “destructive” or “harming.” These karmas harm or cover the natural qualities of the soul such as knowledge, perception, bliss, and spiritual energy.

The 4 Ghāti karmas are:

• Jñānāvaraṇīya Karma – Knowledge-obscuring karma; obstructs the soul’s knowledge.
• Darśanāvaraṇīya Karma – Perception-obscuring karma; obstructs right perception or awareness.
• Mohanīya Karma – Deluding karma; causes attachment, aversion, wrong belief, and passions.
• Antarāya Karma – Obstructing karma; obstructs energy, charity, enjoyment, spiritual effort, and capability.

These karmas must be destroyed for the soul to attain Keval Jñān — perfect, infinite knowledge.

Aghāti Karma

Aghāti means “non-destructive.” These karmas do not directly damage the soul’s essential qualities, but they determine the conditions of worldly life.

The 4 Aghāti karmas are:

• Vedanīya Karma – Feeling-producing karma; gives pleasure or pain.
• Āyuṣya Karma – Lifespan-determining karma; decides the length and realm of life.
• Nāma Karma – Body-making karma; determines body, form, senses, physical features, etc.
• Gotra Karma – Status-determining karma; determines high or low family/status conditions.

These karmas remain even after Keval Jñān and are destroyed at the final moment before liberation.

Spiritual Understanding

Ghāti karmas are more spiritually dangerous because they cover the true nature of the soul. Especially Mohanīya karma is considered very powerful because it creates delusion, attachment, ego, anger, pride, deceit, and greed.

When all four Ghāti karmas are destroyed, the soul becomes an Arihant with infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy.

When the remaining four Aghāti karmas are also destroyed, the soul becomes a Siddha, completely liberated from birth and death.

Takeaway

Ghāti karmas obstruct the soul’s spiritual qualities. Aghāti karmas shape worldly life.

Freedom from both leads to Moksha, the ultimate liberation in Jain Dharma.