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[ The Six Aras
king makes proper arrangements for their teaching; different kinds of crops and vegetables are now cultivated, and the marriage becomes a religious function.
THE FOURTH ARA
DUKHMA SUKHMA. In this Ara, the Kalpavrikshas ( desire fulfilling trees) vanish from the face of earth altogether. The appetite of men grows stronger and stronger every day. They eat daily, but are not satisfied. People learn also to work and labour for others and often live upon the wages thus earned. The things now become more inferior than they were in the third Ara. Ordinary fruits are used for food. Strength, vitality, knowledge and sagacity of men get all decreased. The span of life comes down to ten millions of purvas* at the most. Troubles, diseases, sorrows, hardships, fears, temptations and greediness get multiplied. The duration of this Ara is one Kotakoti Sagaropama less 42000 years. People develop a tendency to fear and commit sins in secret. Investigation into the realms of arts and sciences is carried on with a still greater application. Good and evil become known to a greater extent, and the giving of alms comes into prominence more and more. There is a vigorous search for ways and means to attain heavens, as also an increasing fear of hell in the hearts of men.
THE FIFTH ARA
DUKHMA The fifth Ara, named Dukhama, is current at present. Its duration is 21000 years, out of which nearly 2466 years
* A purva is a period of time equal to 70560000000000 years.
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