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## Chapter 24 of the Prajñāpanā Sūtra: The Relative Scarcity of Beings in the Upper, Lower, and Intermediate Realms
This chapter, comprising 49 sūtras (276-324), discusses the relative scarcity of beings in the various realms, including the upper, lower, and intermediate realms, as well as the three realms (triloka), based on the concept of "kṣetrāṇuvāeṇam."
**Explanation of "kṣetrāṇuvāeṇam":** This term refers to considering something in relation to its field or scope. In this context, it means considering the number of beings in relation to the size of the realm they inhabit.
**Explanation of "ūrdhvaloka," "tiryagloka," and other terms:** According to Jain scriptures, the entire universe (loka) is fourteen rajjus (a unit of measurement) in extent. It is divided into three parts: the upper realm (ūrdhvaloka), the intermediate realm (tiryagloka), and the lower realm (adholoka). The boundaries of these realms are determined by the "rucakas" (a type of celestial being). For example, the intermediate realm extends nine hundred yojanas (a unit of distance) above and below the rucakas. The lower realm lies below the intermediate realm, and the upper realm lies above it. The upper realm is slightly less than seven rajjus in extent, while the lower realm is slightly more than seven rajjus. The intermediate realm, which lies between them, is 1800 yojanas high.
The lowermost region of the upper realm and the uppermost region of the intermediate realm are known as "ūrdhvaloka-tiryagloka." This means that nine hundred yojanas above the rucakas' level, there is a single-region sky-region (ākāśa-pradeśa-pratar) belonging to the intermediate realm. This is the "tiryagloka-pratar." The single-region sky-region above it is called the "ūrdhvaloka-pratar." These two regions together are called "ūrdhvaloka-tiryagloka."
Similarly, the single-region sky-region above the lower realm and the single-region sky-region below the intermediate realm are called "adholoka-tiryagloka."
**"Triloka"** refers to the three realms (upper, intermediate, and lower).
Thus, the entire universe (kṣetra) is divided into six parts for the purpose of understanding the relative scarcity of beings: (1) upper realm, (2) intermediate realm, (3) lower realm, (4) upper realm-intermediate realm, (5) lower realm-intermediate realm, and (6) three realms.
**Relative Scarcity of Beings in the Six Realms:**
* **Upper Realm-Intermediate Realm:** The fewest beings reside in this region because it is the smallest.
* **Lower Realm-Intermediate Realm:** There are more beings in this region than in the upper realm-intermediate realm because it includes beings who are migrating through it or who reside there permanently.
* **Intermediate Realm:** The number of beings in the intermediate realm is countless times greater than in the previous two regions because it is vastly larger.
* **Three Realms:** The number of beings who touch all three realms is countless times greater than those in the intermediate realm. This refers to beings who migrate through all three realms.
* **Upper Realm:** The number of beings in the upper realm is countless times greater than those who touch all three realms because the upper realm has a vast number of "upapāta-kṣetra" (regions where beings are born).
* **Lower Realm:** The number of beings in the lower realm is greater than those in the upper realm because the lower realm is slightly more than seven rajjus in extent.
**Relative Scarcity of Beings in the Four Gati (Types of Existence) Based on the Realm:**
* **Hell Beings (Naraka-gata):** The fewest hell beings reside in the three realms, meaning those who touch all three realms.
**Note:** There may be a question about this statement. The Prajñāpanā Sūtra, Malay, Vṛtti, Patraṅka 144, states that the number of beings who are not born (aprajatta) is infinite, while the number of beings who are born (pajjatta) is countable.