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## The Sutra Kritanga Sutra
### Study of the Seven Kusilas
Earth, water, fire, air, grass, trees, seeds, and trembling beings,
Those born from eggs, those born from wombs, those born from sweat, and those born from sap.
These are the bodies that have been declared, know these seven and be indifferent.
By these bodies, one receives long punishments, and by these, one experiences reversals.
**Commentary:**
The omniscient one has declared earth, water, fire, air, grass, trees, seeds, and trembling beings, those born from eggs, those born from wombs, those born from sweat, and those born from sap, as the bodies of living beings. These bodies desire happiness. Those who destroy these beings with bodies and accumulate sin, will be reborn again and again in these very beings.
**Explanation:**
"Earth" refers to beings with earth bodies. The "cha" (च) indicates a difference within itself. This difference is that beings with earth bodies are subtle like mist and gross. Each of these is further divided into two categories: those with sufficient and insufficient capabilities. Similarly, beings with water bodies, fire bodies, and air bodies should be understood. The text then describes beings with plant bodies, differentiating them as "grass" (like kusha grass), "trees" (like banyan trees), "seeds" (like grains), and other types of plants like creepers and shrubs. "Trembling beings" are those with two senses, like insects. "Those born from eggs" are those born from eggs, like birds and reptiles. "Those born from wombs" are those born from wombs, like cows, horses, goats, and humans. "Those born from sweat" are those born from sweat, like lice, fleas, and worms. "Those born from sap" are those born from sap, like yogurt, sour milk, cheese, and hair.
**Commentary:**
The Bhagavan now explains the different types of living beings and the consequences of harming them. He says, "These" (earth, water, fire, air, grass, trees, seeds, and trembling beings) are the "bodies" (life bodies) that have been "declared" (stated). The neuter gender is used due to the grammatical structure. "In these" (earth bodies, etc.) "seven" (happiness) should be known. This means that all beings desire happiness and hate suffering. Knowing this, one should "be indifferent" (consider with a wise mind). This means that one should understand that by harming these bodies, one harms oneself. This is because harming these bodies leads to self-punishment. Alternatively, "long punishments" (long-lasting punishments) are received by those who harm these bodies. This means that those who harm these bodies for a long time will suffer for a long time. The text then explains the consequences of harming these bodies: "They" (those who harm these bodies) "go" (move) "to these" (earth bodies, etc.) "in various ways" (in many ways). This means that they will be reborn again and again in these very bodies. Alternatively, "reversals" (changes) occur. When beings with bodies act for happiness, they only experience suffering, not happiness. Similarly, if beings with bodies act for liberation, they only experience rebirth, not liberation.
**Commentary:**
Just as those who seek liberation harm these bodies and experience reversals, leading to rebirth, the text explains this further.