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## Twelfth Uddeshak
**Discussion**
The number of beings in the earth element is very small.
**Explanation**
The five single-sense beings, starting with the earth element, are described in Acharanga Sutra, Chapter 1, Section 1. Their existence, the types of their violence, and the causes of their violence are described there.
The vow of not harming them is mentioned in Dashavaikalika Sutra, Chapter 4. The nature of the Muni's vow in this regard is also mentioned in Dashavaikalika Sutra, Chapter 6.
The Bhagavati Sutra, Pannavanasutra, Uttaradhyayanasutra, and other Agamas describe the various types of beings in the earth element.
**[257]**
The Nisitha Bhashya Pithika Gatha 145 to 257 discusses in detail how a monk can commit violence against the five stationary beings, starting with the earth element, and the various options for their atonement. Therefore, one should study the above-mentioned texts for detailed information.
Here are some places where violence can occur:
**Places where violence against the earth element can occur:**
1. **In the vicinity of a dwelling:** If one receives alms with a hand or a utensil that is smeared with the powder of any of the following eleven substances, it constitutes violence against the earth element: 1. Black soil, 2. Red soil, 3. Alkali, 4. Orpiment, 5. Realgar, 6. Manjistha, 7. Collyrium, 8. Salt, 9. Ochre, 10. Yellow soil (Met), 11. Alum.
Or, if the giver gives alms while grinding or mixing these substances, it constitutes violence against them.
2. **On the path:** If the path is made of or contains any of the following, walking on it constitutes violence against the earth element: 1. Black, red, or yellow soil with life, 2. Mud, 3. Sand, 4. Gravel, 5. Pieces of stone, 6. Salt, 7. Alkali, 8. Coal.
Land that has been recently plowed, the ground beneath fruit-bearing trees, and land that has become wet due to rain and is not used for walking are also considered mixed. The soil that forms a crust on the banks of rivers, ponds, or ditches when the water dries up becomes inhabited. Walking or sitting on these places constitutes violence against the earth element.
Generally, the top four fingers of soil become lifeless due to walking, cold, heat, etc., and the soil below that is either mixed or inhabited.
On a path where the earth is inhabited or mixed, it becomes lifeless within one to three praharas due to the movement of humans and other beings.
Soft earth becomes completely lifeless after being thoroughly ground, while hard earth becomes lifeless only on the surface after a change in color. This is because the hardness prevents the inner beings from being harmed by the touch of feet, etc.