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INTRODUCTION
powers inherent in the substances. But variations must be variations in time. So the Jain sages divide this time according to the two great cycles, called Avasarpini and Utsarpini.-Involution and Evolution. The idea is that of a serpent in infinite space coiled up, so that the tail shall touch the head. The world is now moving down this serpent from the head to the tail,-this is Avasarpini (Involution). When it arrives at the extremity of the tail, it cannot go on further but it must return; and its progress upwards is Utsarpini (Evolution). Now each of these periods is again divided into six eras,(i). Sukhama Sukhma. (ii). Sukhma.
(iii). Sukhama Dukhma.
(iv). Dukhhama Sukhma. (v). Dukhmå.
(vi). Dukhama Dukhma.
In every great cycle, twenty-four Tirthankars appear in the field of action. These Tirthankars are not only pure and perfect beings and attain nirvana as Soon as they shuffle off their mortal coils, but also they lay down rules of conduct for the
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