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## The Sapta-Tika Chapter
The existence of a human lifespan (Manushya-ayu) is found up to the fourteenth Gunasthan, the existence of a celestial lifespan (Deva-ayu) up to the eleventh Gunasthan, and the existence of a lifespan of the liberated soul (Deva-ayu) up to the fifth Gunasthan. This is the view found in the Digambar texts as well as in the Karmakanda.
This is the only view found.
The description given here is according to the second view - Uparatbandha - which states that the existence of a lifespan in hell (Naraka-ayu), animal lifespan (Tiryancha-ayu), and human lifespan (Manushya-ayu) is found up to the seventh Gunasthan. Acharya Malayagiri has discussed this view in the Sapta-Tika commentary: "In the case of a bound being, the emergence of a human lifespan is possible until the seventh Gunasthan, as the possibility of attaining restraint (Samyama) exists even after being bound to a hellish lifespan. The emergence of a human lifespan from an animal lifespan is also possible until the seventh Gunasthan. The emergence of a human lifespan from a human lifespan is also possible until the seventh Gunasthan. The emergence of a human lifespan from a celestial lifespan is possible until the seventh Gunasthan, as the possibility of ascending the ladder of liberation (Upashama) exists even when bound to a celestial lifespan." Sapta-Tika Commentary, page 160.
This view is mainly found in the Shvetambar Karma literature. The nine stages of the destruction of the senses (Sanvedha-bhang) in the human path should be understood as follows:
| Stage | Time | Bond | Unbound | Bond Time | Destruction | Birth | Existence | Gunasthan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | | | | | | | All fourteen Gunasthan |
| 2 | | | | | | | Hell, Human | 1, 2 |
| 3 | | | | | | | Human | 1, 2 |
| 4 | | | | | | | Human | 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| 5 | | | | | | | Human | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| 6 | | | | | | | Human | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| 7 | | | | | | | Human | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| 8 | | | | | | | Human | 1 to 11 Gunasthan |
| 9 | | | | | | | Human | |