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## Chapter 22: Description of the Time and Division of the Nature-Sphere
**77. What is the shortest time for the division of twenty-one nature-spheres?** It is an antarmukha (a very short period of time).
**78. What is the longest time for the division of twenty-one nature-spheres?** It is thirty-three sagara (oceans) plus a little more.
**Explanation:**
A being with twenty-four nature-spheres of mohakarma (karma of delusion) attained the division of twenty-one nature-spheres by destroying the three nature-spheres of darshanamohaniya (karma of delusion of perception) through the three karmas (actions). Then, within a very short period of time (antarmukha), he ascended the kshapaka shreni (series of destruction) and destroyed the eight madhyama kshayas (intermediate karmas). Thus, the shortest time for the division of twenty-one nature-spheres is an antarmukha.
**Explanation:**
The longest time for the division of twenty-one nature-spheres is possible in this way: A deva (god) or naraki (hell being) with twenty-four nature-spheres of mohakarma, who was a samyagdarshi (rightly-seeing) being, was born among humans with a lifespan of a koti (billion) years. There, after eight years from conception, he destroyed the darshanamohaniya and began the division of twenty-one nature-spheres. Then, after becoming a dikshita (initiated) and observing restraint for eight years less than a koti years, he died and was born as an anuttara vimāna (highest celestial abode) deva with a lifespan of thirty-three sagara. There, after spending thirty-three sagara years, he died at the end of his lifespan and was born among humans with a lifespan of a koti years. There, when only an antarmukha remained of his lifespan or samsara (cycle of birth and death), he destroyed the eight karmas, including apratyakhyanavaran (karma of non-rejection of the veil), and attained the division of thirteen nature-spheres. Thus, the longest time for the division of twenty-one nature-spheres is thirty-three sagara plus eight years and an antarmukha less than two koti years.