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## Third Chapter: Inquiry about the Ghonodadhi, etc.
[201 Inquiry about the Ghonodadhi, etc.] 71. "Venerable Sir! Below this Ratnaprabha earth, is there a Ghonodadhi, a Ghanavat, a Tanuvat, and pure Akasha?" "Yes, Gautama! There is." / "Similarly, below all seven earths, there is a Ghonodadhi, a Ghanavat, a Tanuvat, and pure Akasha." [71]
**Explanation:**
This Sutra explains the foundation of the Naraka earths. It is natural to question what these seven Naraka earths are based on. The Sutrakar answers that these earths are situated on frozen water, which is called Ghonodadhi.
The question arises: what is the Ghonodadhi based on? The answer is that the Ghonodadhi is situated on Ghanavat, which is solidified air. Ghanavat is based on Tanuvat (light air), and Tanuvat is established on Akasha. Akasha is self-established and does not depend on anything.
Therefore, Akasha supports Tanuvat, Tanuvat supports Ghanavat, Ghanavat supports Ghonodadhi, and Ghonodadhi supports the Ratnaprabha and other earths.
One might question how the earth can be supported by air and the ocean by the earth. This is explained through a worldly example.
Imagine a person inflating a bladder with air. They then tie the mouth of the bladder tightly with a ribbon and also tie the middle part of the bladder. This creates two sections of air within the bladder, making it resemble a drum. Then, the person opens the mouth of the bladder, removes the air from the upper section, and fills it with water. They then tie the mouth again and untie the middle section. The water in the upper section will remain there, above the air in the lower section, and will not fall down. Just as the water rests on the air below, the Ghonodadhi can rest on the Ghanavat.
Another example is a person wearing a container filled with air around their waist and entering deep water. They will remain on the surface of the water and not sink. They will be supported by the water. Similarly, the earths can rest on the Ghonodadhi.
These seven Naraka earths are situated one below the other, but they are not directly touching. There is a significant distance between them. Within this distance, the Ghonodadhi, Ghanavat, Tanuvat, and pure Akasha are situated one below the other.
**First:** 1. Ratnasharkara, Valuka, Pank, Dhuma, Tamo, Maha-tamo, Prabha bhumis are established on Ghonodadhi, Vata, and Akasha. These seven are situated one below the other. - Tattvarth Sutra A. 3.