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## Verse 168:
**Description of the Sixfold and Fivefold**
Whether they are without beginning or end, whether they are finite, whether they are infinite, whether they are transformed into that form, whether they are not transformed, this is a matter of doubt.
**Explanation:**
Since souls are without beginning or end by nature, due to their inherent characteristic of consciousness, they are finite in terms of their arising, diminishing, and quiescent states. They are infinite in terms of their diminishing state. It is not possible for the diminishing state to be finite due to its inherent nature.
When the limiting conditions are removed, the soul's true nature, like the state of a liberated soul, is the state of being. And due to this state of being, souls are considered to be infinite.
It is not appropriate to say that there are other states of being for those who are without beginning or end, with the inherent characteristic of consciousness, that are finite or infinite. They are indeed experienced as being dominated by the five primary qualities, because they are transformed into that form, like water contaminated with mud, due to the impurities of their karmic actions, which are without beginning.