Mohaniya karma means the “deluding” karma. It confuses the soul and causes attachment (raga) and aversion (dvesha). Because it distorts right faith and right conduct, Jain acharyas call it the most dangerous of all karmas.

Two main divisions

• Darshan-mohaniya (belief-deluding): It disturbs right belief (samyaktva).

1) Mithyatva-mohaniya (wrong belief) 2) Samyaktva-mohaniya (obscures perfectly steady right belief) 3) Mishra-mohaniya (mixed/confused belief)

• Charitra-mohaniya (conduct-deluding): It disturbs right conduct by stirring passions (kashaya) and feelings (nokashaya).

A) Four passions in four intensities = 16 - Passions: anger (krodha), pride (mana), deceit (maya), greed (lobha) - Intensities: anantanubandhi, apratyakhyana, pratyakhyana, sanjvalana B) Nine nokashaya (subsidiary passions) = 9 - Hasya (laughter), rati (indulgent liking), arati (aversion), shoka (sorrow), bhaya (fear), jugupsa (disgust), and three sexual urges (veda): purusha, stri, napumsaka

Total types of mohaniya karma = 28 (3 + 25).

Why it matters

• As long as mohaniya karma is active, the soul cannot remain firmly in right faith or pure conduct.
• Destroying darshan-mohaniya gives stable right faith.
• Completely ending charitra-mohaniya ends passions and leads to the vitrag state, opening the way to kevaljnana.

How to weaken mohaniya karma (in Jain discipline)

• Cultivate samyak darshan (right faith), study and reflection (svadhyaya, anupreksha), vows and restraints (vrata, gupti, samiti), forgiveness and humility (kshama, vinay), meditation (dhyana), daily pratikraman, and careful avoidance of raga–dvesha.

Note on traditions

• Both Digambar and Shwetambar traditions accept mohaniya karma as above: two main divisions and 28 types. Wording may vary slightly, but the meaning is the same.

For simple overviews:

• Karma basics and mohaniya as “deluding karma”
• Kashayas (anger, pride, deceit, greed) and their intensities