jiiva

Jiiva, often transliterated jiva, is a Sanskrit term meaning life or living being. In Indian religious and philosophical traditions it denotes the individual soul or life-principle—an entity that experiences birth, death, and rebirth within the cycle of karma. The word is used across Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, with nuanced meanings in each tradition, and it also serves as a common personal name in South Asia.

In Hindu thought, the jiva is the embodied self (jīvātman) that is bound by karma and experiences samsara. Its relationship to the absolute varies by school. In Advaita Vedanta, the jiva is ultimately not different from Brahman but is perceived as separate due to ignorance; moksha is realization of the unity of the self with Brahman. In Vishishtadvaita and Dvaita philosophies, the jiva remains a distinct, real soul with a personal relationship to the supreme being, and liberation involves knowledge, devotion, and grace.

In Jainism, jiva is the sentient, living substance found in all beings, possessing consciousness and the capacity for motion. Jiva is inherently pure but becomes entangled with karma; liberation (moksha) is achieved by eliminating karmic bonds through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct, leading to omniscience and freedom from rebirth.

In Sikhism, jiva refers to the individual soul created by God. Liberation (mukti) comes through devotion to God, ethical living, and remembrance of the divine name, culminating in union with the Creator.

As a name, jiiva is used in Indian languages, reflecting the root meaning of life or living being.