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The state of pudgala is in a region of lokakasha in an indeterminate form. The state of jivas occurs in countless parts of the loka. Just like a lamp, their regions have contraction and expansion. The universe has five types of astikaya; therefore, the question arises as to what the basis (sthitikṣetra) of these astikayas is. Is their basis some other substance or one of the five substances? The answer given here is that akasha itself is the basis, and all other substances are dependent. This answer is from the perspective of practical reality; from the perspective of ultimate reality, all substances are self-established (situated in their own form); one substance does not exist in another substance from a fundamental perspective. A question may arise that if the basis of the four substances like dharma and adharma has been considered as akasha in practical reality, then what is the basis of akasha? The answer is that akasha has no other basis because there is no other element greater than or equal to it. Thus, from both the practical and ultimate perspectives, akasha is self-established. Akasha is said to be the basis of other substances because it is greater than all substances.
The four dependent substances, dharma, and adharma do not reside in the entirety of akasha. They are situated only in a limited part of akasha, and this part of akasha is called 'loka.' The term loka means five astikayas. Beyond this part, infinite akasha spreads all around. Since there are no other substances situated in it, that part is called alokakasha. Here, the consideration of the relationship of basis and dependent substances is done in context of lokakasha.
Dharma and adharma are two astikayas that exist as indivisible aggregates located in the entire lokakasha. In fact, the conceptualization of the lok and alok parts of the indivisible akasha arises specifically due to the relationship of dharma and adharma substances. Where there is no relationship of dharma and adharma substances, that is alok, and where there is such a relationship, that is loka.
The basis of pudgala substance is generally determined to be lokakasha; however, specifically, there is a difference in the extent of the base regions of different pudgala substances. Pudgala substances are not a unit like dharma and adharma, so their possibility for a uniform base area cannot be assumed. Even though they are distinct entities, there is diversity in their quantities, not uniformity. Therefore, here its basis...