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## Sixth Vyutkantpad [445 Discussion - First Twelve (Baras = Twelve) Doors: The Absence of Descent and Ascent in the Four Paths]
This section, comprising nine sutras (from 560 to 568), discusses the duration of the absence of descent and ascent in the four paths (hell, animal, human, and god) and the fifth path (liberation). It also explains the duration of the absence of descent and ascent in the lowest and highest forms of these paths.
**Why is the singular form used for the four paths, including hell?**
Niryagati (hell) refers to the state of being born in hell due to the ripening of the karma called Narakakarma. Similarly, the same understanding applies to the other paths like animal, human, and god. This state of being born in a particular path is unique to each path, distinct from the general state of existence. The state of being born in hell is pervasive across all seven earths. Therefore, the singular form is used for each of the four paths, including hell.
**Descent and its Absence:**
Descent refers to being born in hell, animal, human, god, or liberation after dying in another path. The absence of descent in hell means the period during which no new being is born in hell. In other words, the period during which hell remains devoid of new births is the absence of descent in hell. The same understanding applies to the other paths.
The four paths remain devoid of descent for a minimum of one time period and a maximum of twelve muhurtas. After twelve muhurtas, a new being is born in one of the four paths.
**Absence of Descent in Liberation:**
The absence of descent in liberation is described as the highest form. This is because after a being attains liberation, it is possible that no new being attains liberation for a maximum of six months. After six months, a new being is bound to attain liberation.
**Why not twenty-four muhurtas?**
It will be explained later that the absence of descent is twenty-four muhurtas. However, the twelve muhurtas mentioned here refer to the general absence of descent in hell. When discussing the absence of descent in each individual hell earth, like Ratnaprabha, it is twenty-four muhurtas. The same understanding applies to the other paths.
**Ascent and its Absence:**
Ascent refers to leaving a particular path, like hell. The question is, how long does it take for no being to leave a particular path? This period is called the absence of ascent.
The absence of ascent in the four paths is a maximum of twelve muhurtas. This does not apply to liberation because a being who attains liberation never leaves it. Therefore, there is no ascent in liberation, and consequently, no absence of ascent. There is always an absence of ascent in liberation because the state of liberation is eternal and unchanging. Liberated beings remain liberated forever.
**References:**
1. (a) Prajnapana Sutra, Mahavritti, Folio 205.
2. (a) Prajnapana Sutra, Mahavritti, Folio 205, (b) Prajnapana Sutra, Pravachanabodhtika, Tika Bhashya, Vol. 2, Pages 935-937 (b) Prajnapana Sutra, Pravachanabodhtika, Tika Bhashya, Vol. 2, Page 837.