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This fourth chapter of the *Prajnapana Sutra* considers the duration of the existence (position or staying) of living beings in the various states, such as hell, etc., from birth to death. In other words, this chapter considers the lifespan of the various states of living beings, such as hell, animal, human, and god. Although the living substance (soul) is eternal, the various forms (various births) it takes are impermanent. They are bound to perish at some point. Therefore, it is necessary to consider their position. This is the fact presented here. The etymological meaning of the word 'position' is also of this nature - the position is the (state) in which the living being resides while experiencing the karmic consequences. Therefore, position, lifespan-karma-experience, and life are all synonymous terms. Although the position of the karmic particles, which are taken due to false belief, etc., and transformed into knowledge-obscuring, etc., is also known as 'position', here the 'lifespan-karma-experience' is the meaning of the word 'position' for the purpose of designating hell, etc. Because the states of hell, etc., are called hell, etc., due to the arising of the name-karma, such as the five-sense-being, etc. But here, a living being who has not attained the hell, etc., is called hell, etc., from the time of the first sensation of the hell-lifespan, etc. Therefore, the experience of the lifespan-karma of that particular state is considered to be the position. Only worldly beings experience the limit (praaya) of lifespan-karma, therefore, this chapter considers the position of worldly beings only. Siddhas, etc., are without any limit, therefore, their lifespan is not considered because it is not attainable. And the position of the states of non-living substance is also not considered in this chapter because the states of non-living beings are not dependent on the experience of lifespan like living beings, and their states cannot be determined within a certain limit in terms of time like the lifespan of living beings. The consideration of position (lifespan) here is done in two ways: inferior and superior. The order of the instruction of position in this chapter is as follows: first, considering the general states of the living being, then considering their sufficient and insufficient differences, and then considering the lifespan.