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## The Fifth Chapter of the Karma Granth
**416. The difference between the five aggregates and the nature of karma.**
**Explanation of the uninterrupted period of the lifespan karma.**
When explaining the excellent state of lifespan (āyu) for gods, hell beings, animals, and humans, the uninterrupted period (abādhākāla) is said to be one-third of the previous lifespan. The reason for this is that humans and animals with a lifespan of a previous kalpa (eon) can bind the excellent lifespan of gods and hell beings, which is equivalent to thirty-three oceans, at the beginning of the third part of their lifespan after two-thirds of their lifespan has passed. Therefore, the indication is that the uninterrupted period is one-third of the previous lifespan along with the excellent state.
However, the state of lifespan karma is not explained by adding the uninterrupted period, as it is with other karmas. This is because the uninterrupted period of lifespan karma is not fixed. Humans and animals with a lifespan of countless years, as well as gods and hell beings, bind the lifespan of the next birth when six months of their lifespan remain. Those with a lifespan of countless years, but without any merit (nirūpakramī), bind the lifespan of the next birth at the beginning of the third part of their lifespan after two-thirds of their lifespan has passed. Those with a lifespan of countless years, but with merit (sopkramī), bind the lifespan of the next birth at the beginning of the third part of their lifespan after two-thirds of their lifespan has passed. If they do not bind the lifespan at that time, they bind it at the beginning of the third part of the remaining lifespan.
This means that they bind the lifespan of the next birth at the third part, ninth part, twenty-seventh part, and so on, until the last moment of their lifespan remains. After binding the lifespan of the next birth, the remaining lifespan is the uninterrupted period.
The uninterrupted period can be inferior, and the lifespan bound can be inferior, as in the case of someone with a lifespan of a single moment binding a lifespan of a single moment. The uninterrupted period can be inferior, and the lifespan bound can be excellent, as in the case of someone with a lifespan of a single moment binding the lifespan of a hell being, which is equivalent to thirty-three oceans, like a fish in the ocean. The uninterrupted period can be excellent, and the lifespan bound can be inferior, as in the case of someone with a lifespan of a previous kalpa binding a lifespan of a single moment at the beginning of the third part of their lifespan. The uninterrupted period can be excellent, and the lifespan bound can be excellent, as in the case of someone with a lifespan of a previous kalpa binding the lifespan of a god, which is equivalent to thirty-three oceans, at the beginning of the third part of their lifespan.