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Gatha 58] Exposition of the Interval between Samkramas (Transmigratory States)
222. What is the duration of the interval between the remaining Samkramas (transmigratory states)? 223. The minimum duration is one Antarmuhurta. 224. The maximum duration is thirty-three Sagaropamas.
Doubt - The interval between the remaining nineteen, eighteen, twelve, nine, six, and three Prakrtic Samkramas (transmigratory states) is how much?
Solution - The minimum interval between the above-mentioned Samkramas is one Antarmuhurta, and the maximum interval is thirty-three Sagaropamas. [223-224]
Explanation - The sutra explains the minimum and maximum intervals of the remaining Samkramas as follows: After the completion of the Upasama-sreni (subsidence-cum-destruction series), one who has twenty-one Prakrtis undertakes the Anupurvika (successive) Samkramana (transmigration) and first suppresses the Napumsaka-veda (neuter sex), then undertakes the Samkramana of eighteen Prakrtis. Next, after suppressing the Stri-veda (female sex), he undertakes the Samkramana of twelve Prakrtis. Then, after suppressing the six Nokasayas (six types of passions), he immediately undertakes the Samkramana of nine Prakrtis. Again, after suppressing both types of Krodha (anger), he undertakes the Samkramana of twelve Prakrtis. Subsequently, after suppressing both types of Mana (pride), he undertakes the Samkramana of six Prakrtis. Thereafter, after suppressing both types of Maya (deceit), he undertakes the Samkramana of three Prakrtis and ascends. While descending, he undertakes the Samkramana of six, nine, twelve, and nineteen Prakrtis by expelling the three Kasayas (passions) in the reverse order. In this way, the minimum interval of one Antarmuhurta is established for each of the nineteen, eighteen, twelve, six, and three Prakrtic Samkramas.
The exposition of the maximum interval is as follows: A Veda-samyagdrsti (right-believer) Deva (celestial being) or Narakin (hell-being) with twenty-four Prakrtis, born at the end of the previous cosmic cycle, after emerging from the womb and attaining purity in the shortest possible time, attains Samyama (complete restraint) and destroys the Darsana-mohaniya (deluding karma of perception). While ascending, he creates the interval of three and eighteen Prakrtis, and while descending, he creates the interval of six, nine, twelve, and nineteen Prakrtis, and observes the vow of Samyama up to the end of his life. At the end of his life, he is reborn among the Devas (celestial beings) with a lifespan of thirty-three Sagaropamas. Later, at the end of that lifespan, he is reborn among the Manusyas (human beings) of the previous cosmic cycle. Just before the end of his life, he again ascends the Upasama-sreni and, in the reverse order, creates the intervals of all the aforementioned Samkramas.
In the copper-plate manuscript, the reading 'desunani' is printed instead of 'sadireyana' (see p. 1026), which is not in accordance with the explanation given in the commentary.