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## Karmagrantha Part Four, Chapter 156 (2)
**Time-substance is not merely a human-realm, but what is it?** It pervades the universe, but unlike the dharma-astikaya, it is not a skandha (aggregate). It is atomic in nature. The number of its atoms is equal to the number of regions in the loka-akasha (universe). These atoms, being motionless, remain everywhere, in every region of the loka-akasha. They do not form any skandha. Therefore, they do not have the power to move laterally (tiryak prachay). This is why time-substance is not considered an astikaya.
**Despite the absence of lateral movement, there is vertical movement (urdhava prachay).** This leads to continuous permutations (paryaya) within each time-atom. These permutations are called 'time'. One should understand that each time-atom has infinite time permutations. These time permutations are the cause of permutations in other substances. All states like newness-oldness, seniority-juniority, etc., should be understood as a result of the flow of time within the time-atom.
**The time it takes for a pudgala-atom to move from one region of the loka-akasha to another at a slow pace, is the time it takes for one time-permutation of the time-atom to occur.** In other words, the magnitude of a time-permutation is equal to the magnitude of the slow movement of an atom from one region to another. This is the view of the Digambara sect.
**What is the actual situation?** From the perspective of certain knowledge (nishcaya drishti), there is no need to consider time as a separate substance. By considering it as a permutation of the jiva (soul), all actions and behaviors are explained. Therefore, this view is the true one (taatvika), while the other views are practical (vyavaharika) and conventional (aupcharic).
**The view of considering time as a human-realm is based on the gross worldly experience.** The view of considering it atomic is conventional. If this is not accepted, then the question arises: If newness, oldness, etc., exist even outside the human realm, then how can time be considered only within the human realm? Secondly, what is the logic in believing that time depends on the movement of the celestial wheel (jyotish chakra)? Even if it does depend on it, can it not, being all-pervasive, utilize the movement of the celestial wheel? Therefore, the idea of considering time as a human-realm is based on gross worldly experience. The idea of considering it atomic is conventional.
**Each pudgala-atom, through its own process...**