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[362] From the perspective of the categories of knowledge (Prajñāpanā), and the categories of rough and subtle touch, a Naraka (hell being) is inferior to another Naraka in terms of the six categories of existence (Shatsthānapatita). Similarly, from the perspective of the categories of Abhinibodhik-knowledge, Shruta-knowledge, Avadhi-knowledge, Mati-ignorance, Shruta-ignorance, Vibhang-knowledge, Chakshudarshan-knowledge, Achakshudarshan-knowledge, and Avadhi-darshan-knowledge, a Naraka is superior to another Naraka in terms of the six categories of existence (Shatsthānapatita).
O Gautama! For this reason, it is said that "the categories of Narakas are not countable, not uncountable, but infinite."
**Discussion of the infinite categories of Narakas:** Why and how?
This sutra establishes the infinite categories of Narakas by demonstrating the inferiority of one Naraka to another in terms of the categories of knowledge, such as perception, location, color, smell, taste, touch, and the state of diminishing karma.
**The origin and solution of the question:**
Generally, where the beings are infinite, their categories are also infinite. But how can the categories be infinite where the beings (Narakas) are not infinite (but uncountable)? This question is raised by Shri Gautama Swami.
**The solution provided by the Lord:**
The solution is provided in terms of the categories of substance, space, time, and state.
**From the perspective of substance:**
There is equality among Narakas. Each Naraka is equal to another Naraka from the perspective of substance, meaning each Naraka is a single living being (Jiva-dravya). There is no difference between them from the perspective of substance. This statement also indicates that each Naraka is a complete and independent living being (Jiva-dravya) in itself. Although no substance can ever be completely devoid of categories, if only the pure substance is considered, without considering the categories, there is no difference between one Naraka and another.
**From the perspective of space:**
There is equality among Narakas. From the perspective of space, all Narakas are equal to each other because each Naraka is as vast as the space of the living beings (Jiva-loka). There is no difference in the space of any Naraka. The difference between having space and not having space exists only in the Pudgalas. An atom (Paramānu) does not have space, while a two-space, three-space, etc., Skandha has space.
**From the perspective of space (Avagahana):**
There is superiority among Narakas. The meaning of Avagahana is generally to encompass the space of the universe. Here, it means the height of the body. From the perspective of Avagahana (height of the body), all Narakas are not equal. For example, the Narakas of the Ratnaprabha-earth have a body that is the smallest Avagahana, which is an uncountable fraction of an inch, and the largest Avagahana is seven bows, three hands, and six inches. As we move to the higher Naraka-earths, the Avagahana doubles with each earth. In the seventh Naraka-earth, the smallest Avagahana is an uncountable fraction of an inch, and the largest Avagahana is five hundred bows. From this perspective, the Avagahana of one Naraka is inferior to another, the Avagahana of one is superior to another, and the Avagahana of some is equal. If a Naraka is inferior in Avagahana (smaller), it will be uncountably smaller or countably smaller, or it will be countably smaller or uncountably smaller. But if a Naraka is superior in Avagahana (larger), it will be uncountably larger or countably larger.