Its distinction from atman is subtle, and while they both come from the Sanskrit root words for "breath," this concept refers to the living existent of an individual rather than the "self," for 10 points, name this Indian Religious concept similar to the soul.
In rejecting the authority of the Vedas, the Tattvarthadhigama Sutra, or Discourse on the Nature of Things retains this concept, which according to the text is restricted from its potentiality by polluting karmic dust.  According to the six orthodox schools of Hinduism, it is not associated with Brahman, and Isvara, a metaphysically composite god-concept in Hinduism, is not responsible for its creation; but is responsible for reconstituting it during each cycle on the wheel of samsara. In some cases, these are described by what guna dominates, these gunas condition it and tie this to the wheel and they must be pierced if one is to attain moksha. Its distinction from atman is subtle, and while they both come from the Sanskrit root words for "breath," this concept refers to the living existent of an individual rather than the "self," for 10 points, name this Indian Religious concept similar to the soul.
In rejecting the authority of the Vedas, the Tattvarthadhigama Sutra, or Discourse on the Nature of Things retains this concept, which according to the text is restricted from its potentiality by polluting karmic dust.  
jiva