jiva: Meaning and Definition of

ji•va

1. the individual soul, regarded as a particular manifestation of Atman.
2. Jainism.
1. the individual soul or life monad, compared to a transparent crystal stained by karmic matter with colors, or lesyas, of varying hues.
2. all such monads collectively, regarded as the animating principle of the universe. Also called ji&syl;vat&syl;ma( jē&sylp;vät&primnb;m&schwa;).