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## Second Principle: Interval
**[155]** In the same way, one should know the interval of the **Graveyaka** celestial beings. The interval of the **Anuttaropapatik** celestial beings is slightly more than the interval of the **Jghanya** (lowest) celestial beings, which is a year, and the interval of the **Utkrushta** (highest) celestial beings is like an ocean. In the previous sutra, the time spent in the same **Paryaya** (state) was explained. This sutra explains the time taken by a soul to regain its current **Paryaya** after leaving it. This is called the **Antara** (interval).
Here, the **Antara** of the **Tiryanch** (animals), **Manushya** (humans), and **Devapurush** (celestial beings) is being discussed. Generally, after leaving the **Purusha** (male) **Paryaya**, how long does it take for a soul to regain the **Purusha** **Paryaya**? When asked this question by **Gautama Swami**, the Lord said, "**Gautama**, the **Antara** of the **Jghanya** is one **Samaya** (moment) and the **Antara** of the **Utkrushta** is **Vanaspatikala** (the time taken for a plant to grow)."
This is explained as follows: When a man ascends to the **Upshama** (subdued) category and subdues the **Purusha** **Veda** (knowledge), he dies after one **Samaya** and is reborn as a **Devapurush** according to the law. Therefore, the **Antara** is said to be one **Samaya**. Some may question why the **Antara** of a woman or a eunuch who also ascends the categories is not one **Samaya**. The answer is that after subduing the **Veda**, a woman or a eunuch who dies with good **Adhyavasaya** (determination) is reborn as a **Devapurush** according to the law, not as a **Dev** (female celestial being) or a eunuch. Therefore, their **Antara** is not one **Samaya**.
The **Antara** of the **Utkrushta** **Purusha** is called **Vanaspatikala**. Explaining **Vanaspatikala**, it is said, "Countless **Utsappini** (ascending) and **Avasappini** (descending) cycles pass in it, countless **Loka** (worlds) are destroyed, and countless **Pudgalparavarta** (changes in matter) occur. These **Pudgalparavarta** are equal to countless parts of the time of the **Pravalika** (a specific time period)."
After explaining the **Antara** of a general **Purusha**, the **Antara** of **Tiryanch** (animals) and other specific categories is explained. The **Antara** of **Tiryanch** is **Antarmuhurta** (a very short time) for the **Jghanya** and **Vanaspatikala** for the **Utkrushta**. The **Antara** of **Tiryanch** women is the same as the **Antara** of **Tiryanch** men. The **Antara** of **Jalchar** (aquatic animals), **Sthalchar** (terrestrial animals), and **Khechar** (aerial animals) is also **Antarmuhurta** for the **Jghanya** and **Vanaspatikala** for the **Utkrushta**. The **Antara** of **Manushya** (human) women is the same as the **Antara** of **Manushya** men.
Therefore, generally, the **Antara** of a **Manushya** **Purusha** is **Antarmuhurta** for the **Jghanya** and **Vanaspatikala** for the **Utkrushta** in terms of **Kshetra** (region). In terms of **Dharmacharan** (religious practice), the **Antara** is one **Samaya** for the **Jghanya** (because after accepting **Charitra** (conduct), one can fall back and regain **Charitra** in one **Samaya**), and **Deshon Aparth Pudgalparavarta** (half the time of a **Pudgalparavarta**) for the **Utkrushta**.
1. "**Pranatao Ussappini Gro Prosappini Pro Kalo, Khettayyo Ananta Loga, Asankhejjja Poggalpariyatta, Te Nan Puggalpariyatta Pravaliyae Asankhejjai Bhago.**" (This is the time for **Utsappini** and **Avasappini** cycles, countless **Loka** are destroyed, countless **Pudgalparavarta** occur, and these **Pudgalparavarta** are equal to countless parts of the time of the **Pravalika**.)