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104
Tattvarthasutra
[4. 21-22
Soudharma, Aishan, and other twelve kalpas (heavens) exist. The first Soudharma kalpa is located in the region above Mount Meru, in the southern part of the sky, many plans above the Jyotischakra. Very high above, but to the north, is the Aishan kalpa. Above the Soudharma kalpa in the same line is the Sanatkumar kalpa, and above the Aishan in the same line is the Mahedra kalpa. Between these two is the Brahmalok kalpa, which is also above. Above these, in order, are the three kalpas Lantak, Mahashukra, and Sahasrar, one above the other. Above these, like Soudharma and Aishan, are two kalpas, Anant and Pranat. Above them, in the same line, like Sanatkumar and Mahedra, are the Arana and Achyut kalpas. Above all these kalpas are, in sequence, nine vimans which are located in the neck region of the male-formed world, hence they are called 'Veyak'. Above these, there are five Anuttar vimans named Vijay, Vaijayanta, Jayanta, Aparajita, and Sarvarthasiddha. Being the highest (primary), they are called 'Anuttar'. The deities from the Soudharma kalpa to the Achyut kalpa are kalpopapanna, while all the deities above are kalpaatita. Among the kalpopapanna deities, there is a master-servant relationship, which does not exist among kalpaatita deities. All kalpaatita deities are like Indra, thus they are called Ahmindra. In the human realm, the work of coming and going due to any cause is done only by kalpopapanna deities, while kalpaatita deities do not leave their place. 20
The superiority or inferiority of the deities in higher levels pertains to status, influence, happiness, brilliance, lesser purity, sensory objects, and duration. 21
The inferiority of the deities in higher levels pertains to motion, body, attachment, and pride. 22
Higher deities are superior in seven aspects to lower deities. These seven aspects are as follows:
1. Status - This will be specifically explained further in sutras 30 to 53.
2. Power of measure - The ability to restrain, grant, the power of siddhis like Aṇima and Mahima, and the strength to make others act by aggression, all relate to influence.