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## All Living Beings' Approach to Food [171]
There are two types of living beings who consume food: **Chhadmastha-Yahaarak** (pseudo-eaters) and **Kevali-Grahaarak** (perfect eaters).
The lowest state of existence for a **Chhadmastha-Yahaarak** is **two moments of Kshullakbhav-grahan** (consumption of the subtle body). This is in comparison to the **Vigraha-Gati** (state of disintegration) where the being is born in the **Kshullakbhav** (subtle body).
In states like **Lokanishkut** (a state of existence), there are four or five moments of **Vigraha-Gati**, but most commonly, there are three moments. This is what the sutra refers to. Other ancient teachers have also said the same. As stated in the **Tattvarth Sutra**, "**Ek Dvau Va Anahaarakah**" (One or two are non-eaters).
Out of the three moments of **Vigraha-Gati**, two moments are **Anahaarak** (non-eating). Excluding those two moments, the being can remain a **Yahaarak** (eater) in the lowest form until **Kshullakbhav**. In the highest form, it can remain a **Yahaarak** for an **Asankhyeyakal** (incalculable time).
This **Asankhyeyakal** is a measure of **Asankhyey** (incalculable) **Utsarpini-Avasarpini** (ascending-descending cycles) and is a fraction of **Kshetra-Margna** (the measure of space). In other words, the number of **Utsarpini-Avasarpini** cycles is equal to the number of **Akasha-Pradesh** (space regions) in an **Angula-matra** (finger-width) multiplied by an **Asankhyey** (incalculable) number.
A being can be born in the **A-Vigraha** (non-disintegrated) form for such a long time, and in the **A-Vigraha** form, it is constantly a **Yahaarak** (eater).
The lowest state of existence for a **Kevali-Grahaarak** (perfect eater) is **Antarmuhurt** (a moment). This is in comparison to the **Antarkrit-Kevali** (internal perfect being). In the highest form, it is **Deshon-Purva-Koți** (a specific stage of spiritual development). This is in comparison to the **Purva-Koți** (a specific stage of spiritual development) where a being attains **Kevalgyan** (perfect knowledge) at the age of nine years.
There are two types of **Anahaarak** (non-eaters): **Chhadmastha-Anahaarak** (pseudo-non-eaters) and **Kevali-Anahaarak** (perfect non-eaters).
A **Chhadmastha-Anahaarak** can remain a **Anahaarak** for a minimum of one moment. This is in comparison to the **Vigraha-Gati** of two moments. In the highest form, it can remain a **Anahaarak** for two moments. This is in comparison to the **Vigraha-Gati** of three moments.
**Churnikaar** (a commentator) has said that although the **Bhavagati** (the scriptures) mentions **Anahaarak** for four moments, it is not accepted here because it is **Kadaachit** (occasional). The majority view is given precedence. Therefore, a **Chhadmastha-Anahaarak** can remain a **Anahaarak** for two moments.
There are two types of **Kevali-Anahaarak** (perfect non-eaters): **Bhav-Stha-Kevali-Anahaarak** (perfect non-eaters in the state of existence) and **Siddh-Kevali-Anahaarak** (perfect non-eaters who have attained liberation).
**Siddh-Kevali-Anahaarak** are **Sadi-A-Paryavasit** (beyond the cycle of birth and death). Since **Siddh** (liberated beings) are **Sadi-A-Paryavasit**, their **Anahaarak** (non-eating) is also **Sadi-A-Paryavasit**.
There are two types of **Bhav-Stha-Kevali-Anahaarak** (perfect non-eaters in the state of existence): **Sayogi-Bhav-Stha-Kevali-Anahaarak** (perfect non-eaters in the state of existence with karmic attachments) and **A-Yogi-Bhav-Stha-Kevali-Anahaarak** (perfect non-eaters in the state of existence without karmic attachments).
An **A-Yogi-Bhav-Stha-Kevali-Anahaarak** can remain a **Anahaarak** for a minimum of **Antarmuhurt** (a moment) and a maximum of **Antarmuhurt** (a moment). **A-Yogitva** (lack of karmic attachments) occurs in the **Shaileshi-Avastha** (a specific state of existence). In this state, the being is naturally a **Anahaarak** (non-eater) because **Praudarik-Kay-Yog** (karmic attachments related to the physical body) does not exist at that time.
The duration of the **Shaileshi-Avastha** is a minimum of **Antarmuhurt** (a moment) and a maximum of **Antarmuhurt** (a moment). However, it is important to understand that the **Utkrisht-Pad** (higher state) is more significant than the **Jghanya-Pad** (lower state). Otherwise, there would be no need to mention both states.
1. "**Ek Dvau Va Anahaarakah**" - **Tattvarth Sutra**, Chapter 2, Sutra 31
2. "Although the **Bhavagati** mentions **Anahaarak** for four moments, it is not accepted here because it is **Kadaachit** (occasional). The majority view is given precedence. Therefore, a **Chhadmastha-Anahaarak** can remain a **Anahaarak** for two moments." - **Vriti** (commentary)