Puṇya and pāpa are like wholesome and unwholesome food. When the quantity of wholesome food decreases and the quantity of unwholesome food increases, unhealthiness augments and healthiness deteriorates, and vice-versa.In absence of both wholesome and unwholesome food the life comes to end. Likewise, when puṇya decreases and pāpa increases, happiness decreases and sorrow increases, and vice-versa.
A person attains emancipation when he is relieved from both puṇya and pāpa.