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212/Mo. Sa. Jeevakaant
Gatha 152
"The region of the sky, extending from 790 yojanas above the earth to 900 yojanas, is 110 yojanas thick and extends to countless islands and oceans, up to the wind-circle of the dense ocean. It is inhabited by Jyotishidevas, who are especially known as 'Pushmatma' (those who consider the beings residing in them as souls) and are called 'Vaimanika' (celestial beings) because they reside in two Vimanas (celestial abodes). They are of two types, 'Kalpopapann' (those who are born in the current Kalpa) and 'Kalpaatit' (those who are beyond the current Kalpa). There are 16 heavens in the 'Kalpopapann' category: Saudharma, Aishana, Sanatkumar, Mahendra, Brahma, Brahmottara, Lantava, Kapishtha, Shukra, Mahashukra, Pratar, Sahasrar, Granat, Pranat, Parana, and Achyut. There are 12 Indras (kings) in these 16 heavens, as there are four Indras in the middle four heavens. Above these are nine 'Greveyaka', 'Navanudish', and 'Vijay', 'Vaijayant', 'Jayant', 'Aparajit', and 'Sattarthasiddhi', which are the five 'Anuttara Vimanas' (highest celestial abodes). All these are called 'Kalpaatit' because they have no 'Ahmindra' (chief Indra).
The duration of a being's stay in the 'Devagati' (heavenly realm) ranges from a minimum of 10,000 years to a maximum of 33 'Sagaropam' (ocean-like) years. This is because a being who is born in the 'Devagati' after being born in the 'Tiryanch' (animal) or 'Manushya' (human) realm, and then dies and is reborn in the 'Devagati', stays there for only 10,000 years. On the other hand, a being who is born in the 'Sattarthasiddhi Vimana' after being born in the 'Devagati' for 33 'Sagaropam' years, stays there for that duration.
Doubt: Can a being stay in the 'Devagati' for even longer by experiencing the seven 'Bhava' (states of existence) in the long-lived 'Devas' (gods)?
Solution: No, it is not possible. When a 'Deva', 'Naraki' (hell being), 'Bhogabhumij Tiryanch' (animal of the earth), or 'Bhogabhumij Manushya' (human of the earth) dies, they are not reborn in the same 'Paryaya' (state) immediately after death. This is because there is a complete absence of...
The minimum duration of a being's stay in the 'Devagati' is 'Antarmuhurt' (a fraction of a moment). This is because a being who is born in the 'Tiryanch' or 'Manushya' realm after being born in the 'Devagati', and then dies and is reborn in the 'Devagati' after completing their 'Paryaya' and accumulating 'Devayau' (heavenly lifespan), stays there for only 'Antarmuhurt'. The maximum duration of a being's stay in the 'Devagati' is 'Asankhyat Pudgal Paribartan' (countless particle transformations), which is equivalent to infinite time. This is because there is no obstacle for a being to die in the 'Devagati' and be reborn in the other three 'Gati' (states of existence) after only a fraction of an 'Angul' (finger) of 'Pudgal Paribartan' (particle transformations).
The nature of 'Siddhgati' (state of liberation):
* 'Jaizaramaranabhaya, Sanjogavijogadukkhassannabho |
* Rogadidiga ya jisse, na santi sa hodi Siddhgai ||152||
Meaning: The state of liberation is where there is no birth, old age, death, fear, association, separation, sorrow, perception, or disease. ||152||
Special Note: This Gatha describes the nature of 'Siddh' (liberated beings) within the context of 'Gatimarg' (path of liberation).
1. Sarvarthasiddhi 4/12.
2. Sarvarthasiddhi 4/16.
3. V. Pu. 127 Sutra 26-27 commentary.
4. Pu. 7 p. 186-60.
5. P. Pu. 1 p. 204 and Pra. Pan. San. (Manapith) p. 14 Gatha 64, p. 576 Gatha 65.