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## Third Chapter: Second Objective [223 Discussion - How many Earths are there?]
This question has been asked before and answered previously, stating that there are seven Earths - from Ratnaprabha to the seventh Earth downwards. Why is it being asked again? This doubt is natural.
To resolve this, the ancient teachers have said, "Whatever is said previously is repeated for a specific reason. That specific reason could be prohibition or permission, or it could be to highlight a specific aspect of the previous topic." This repeated question should be understood as an attempt to provide more and specific information about the previously mentioned topic.
Here, the specific question is: Where are the hells located within the hell-earths? What is the nature of these hells? And what kind of suffering do the hell beings experience there?
In response to these questions, the Lord has said that within the Ratnaprabha Earth, which is one lakh eighty thousand yojanas thick, there are thirty lakh hells located in the middle region, starting one thousand yojanas above the upper part and leaving one thousand yojanas of the lower part. This statement, as I am making it, has also been made by the Tirthankaras of the past. There is no contradiction and uniformity in the words of all Tirthankaras.
These hells are round in the middle and square on the outside. The round shape is mentioned with respect to the middle part, which is the back. However, with respect to the entire back and other parts, the hells that are entered through the entrance are said to be triangular and square in shape. The Pushpavakirna hells are of many types. The phrase "Jāv asubhā" in the sutra refers to the text given in the commentary, which means "Ahekh rappasanthāṇa". These hells are sharp like a razor from the bottom. This means that the ground of these hells is not smooth or soft, but is filled with pebbles, which cut and tear the feet of the hell beings upon contact, causing them pain.
"Picchanshārtamasā" - In these hells, there is always dense darkness. Except for the births and other events of the Tirthankaras, there is a complete absence of light. The darkness there is always dense, like that of a blind person or the darkness of a moonless night, because there are no suns or other sources of light.
To make this even clearer, the following specific details are given: "Bavagayagahchandasuranakkhaṭṭajoisapha" - In these hells, there is no path for the planets, moon, sun, stars, and other celestial bodies. In other words, these sources of light are not present there.
1. "Punvabhaniyaṁ pi jaṁ puṇ bhaṇṇai tattha kāraṇamasthi / Paḍiseho ya aṇuṇṇā kāraṇa viśesovalambho vā //"
2. "Ahe khurappasanthāṇasanthiya, nicchandhārtamasā, bavagayagah-chand-sūr-makkhattajōisapha, meyavasāpūyaruhirmaṁsachī vikhallalittāṇulevaṇatala, asuhbībhaccha, paramadubbigandha kāūpragaṇivaṇṇābhā kakkhaḍaphāsā durahiyāsā asuhā naraesā viyaṇā /"