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Nama Karma refers to the karmas that determine the physique or characterstic  of the body that a soul will occupy in the next birth. One school of thought has broadly divided Nama karma into two main groups:

1. Shubh Namakarma

2. Ashubh Namakarma

Others have divided it into four groups comprising ninety three sub-types. It  is responsible for the diversity of worldly beings and the theory of rebirth. The  number of division into four groups is as follows:-

1. Pinda Prakritis (Collective types) -There are fourteen classifications to these; with sixty five (seventy five according to some) sub classifications.
2. Pratyeka Prakritis (Individual types) - These are of eight types.
3. Trasa Prakritis (Self – movable bodies) - These are of ten types.
4. Sthavar Prakritis (Immovable bodies) - These are of ten types.

Thus there are forty two main classes and ninety three or one hundred three subclasses of physique determining Karma.

1. Pinda Prakritis (Collective types) 

14 Classification of Pinda Prakritis are as Follows:

1. States of Existence (Gati) : 4 sub groups
2. Classes of Beings  : 5 sub groups
3. Types of Bodies  : 5 sub groups
4. Parts of Bodies  : 3 sub groups
5. Types of Blindings  : 5 sub groups
6. Types of unification  : 5 sub groups
7. Types of Stature determining bodies  : 6 sub groups
8. Types of Firmness of joints  : 6 sub groups
9. Colours  : 5 sub groups
10. Odours  : 2 sub groups
11. Tastes  : 5 sub groups
12. Touches  : 8 sub groups
13. Migratory Forms  : 4 sub groups
14. Movements  : 2 sub groups

Sixty-five sub groups of Pinda Prakriti

Four States of Existence : 

1. The existence of gods (devagati)
2. The existence of human beings (manušyagati)
3. The destiny of animals and plants (tiryaggati)
4. The state of infernal beings (narakagati)

Five Classes of Beings

1. The beings with one sense like earth, water etc.
2. The beings with two senses like shell etc.
3. The beings with three senses like ants etc.
4. The beings with four senses like mosquitos, flies etc.
5. The beings with five senses like plants, animals and human beings.

Five Types of Bodies

1. Physical body attributed to human and animal beings.
2. Transformed body possessed by superhuman power, gods, infernal beings etc.
3. Translocation body. It is created only by the highly spiritual ascetic in order to  get information from the omniscient being, while his physical body remains  there.
4. Fiery body. It is also used by the ascetics in order to burn some one and this  body digests food in the stomach.
5. Karma body. This body always possesses karmic matter, is mixed with the self,  and is always changeable.

The human beings always possess three types of body, namely physical, fiery and kârmaòa body.

Three parts of bodies : Three parts concerning physical, transformable and translocation bodies are mentioned; fiery and karmic bodies have no sub-parts.

Five types of bindings : The five types of bindings are categorised according to the five types of bodies.

Five types of unification : These are also divided according to the five types of bodies as mentioned above.

Six types of stature determining bodies : They are perfectly symmetrical, round, of animal frame, with hunch back, dwarf, and huòdaka (entire body unsymmetrical).

Six types of firmness of joints : They are like adamant, like stone, unbreakable, semi-unbreakable, riveted, and crystal like.

Five colours : Black, green, yellow, red and white.

Two odours : Pleasant and unpleasant

Five tastes : Pungent, bitter, saline, sour and sweet.

Eight touches : Light, heavy, soft, hard, rough, smooth, cold and hot.

Four migratory forms : The hour of death, when the self goes to another state of existence, is called the state of ânupûrvi. According to the four states of existence, there are four ânupûrvis or forms,  namely celestial, human, animal and infernal beings.

Two movements : To move in a pleasant manner as oxen, elephant, etc. and to move in an ugly manner as  camels and asses etc.

2. Pratyeka Prakritis (Individual types)

They are of eight kinds, namely superiority over others, capability of breathing, hot  body, cold body, a body which is neither heavy nor light, the body of a Tirthaókara, the  normal formation of the body, and the abnormal formation of the body.

3. Trasa Prakritis (Self – movable bodies)

A body having more than one sense, gross body, completely developed body, individual  body, firm parts of the body, beautiful parts of the body, worthy of praise without any  obligation, lovely voice, sweet and suggestive speech, a body with honour and glory.

4.  Sthavar Prakritis (Immovable bodies)

The sub-types are opposite to self-movable bodies and include immovable bodies having only one sense, subtle body imperceptible to the sense, undeveloped body, a body common  with others of their species, flexible body, ugly parts of the body, unsympathetic, ill-sounding  voice, unsuggestive speech, creating dishonour and shame.

Other posts of the series

1. Mohaniya Karma (May 17, 2012)
2. Nirjara - (May 18, 2012)
3. Gyanavarniya Karma (May 26, 2012)
4. Darshanvarniya Karma (May 27, 2012)
5. Vedaniya Karma (Feeling Pertaining Karma) (May 28, 2012)
6. Gotra Karma (May 29, 2012)
7. Ayusya Karma – Age-Determining Karma (May 30, 2012)
8. Antaraya Karma (June 1, 2012)
9. Nama Karma (This post) (June 2, 2012)