jiva

[ jee-vuh ]

noun

1. Hinduism. the individual soul, regarded as a particular manifestation of Atman.
2. Jainism. Also called ji·vat·ma [jee-, vaht, -m, uh].
   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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of jiva¹

1800–10; < Sanskrit: literally, living