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Nandi Sootra
If the space is divided into infinitely small sections or space points and one such being is placed on each one of these space points; when the inhabited universe is filled the remaining beings are spilled over into such space points in the alokakash or uninhabited universe; then the total area covered makes up the maximum scope of Avadhi-jnana. This is a hypothetical example to give an idea of the vastness of the maximum scope of Avadhi-jnana in conceivable terms.
THE AVERAGE SCOPE OF AVADHI JNANA
[067] MEANING -An Avadhi-jnani (one who possesses such knowledge) with a capacity to know infinite simal part of a standard angul in terms of area also has the capacity to know infinitesimaldivision of avalika (a micro-unit, of time made up by uncountable units of samaya. Also a countable or a finite number of avalikas make one shvas or the time taken by one normal inhalation) in terms of time.
In the same way if his capacity is to know countable fractions of an angul, he also has the capacity to know countable fractions of an avalika. However, if he knows one angul area he knows slightly less than an avaltka and if he knows one avalika he knows only prithaktva (an arithmetical term which means second to ninth divisions of a thing divided into ten equal parts) angul.
[068] MEANING - If he knows an arms length in terms of area, he knows a little less than a muhurt (48 minutes) in terms of time. If he knows a little less than a day in terms of time, he knows two miles in terms of area. If he knows one yojan in terms of area, he knows divas prithaktva (two to nine days) in terms of time. If he knows a little less than a fortnight in terms of time, he knows 25 yojans in terms of area.
[069] MEANING -If he knows Bharat kshetra (a geographical area according to Jain geography) in terms of area, he knows 15 days in the past, the present and the future in terms of time. If he knows the Jambu continent in terms of area, he knows more than one month in the past, the present and the future in terms of time.
If he knows the complete area inhabited by human beings (the earth) in terms of area, he knows one year in the past, the present and the future in terms of time. If he knows Ruchak kshetra (the over all area where beings exist according to Jain cosmology) in terms of area, he knows prithaktva-varsh (2 to 9 years) in the past, the present and the future in terms of time.
[070] MEANING - If in terms of time he knows countable large units of time period, in terms of area also he knows up to countable continents and seas. If he knows uncountable large units of time period, in terms of area he knows up to countable or uncountable continents and seas.
[071] MEANING -With the increase in time there certainly is an increase in all the four parameters of matter, space (area), time, and bhava (thought, feeling, perspective, viewpoint, alternates, mode, etc.). With the increase in area there may or may not be an increase in time. With the increase in matter and its modes there may or may not be an increase in area and time. (This is about the increase of capacities in different parameters.)
WHICH IS SUBTLER THAN WHAT?
[072] MEANING -Time is infinitesimal or subtle but the area or space is subtler than time because if the space points covering therunning length of the area covered by an angul are counted it will take uncountable cycles of time.
[073] MEANING -This concludes the description of Vardhaman Avadhi-jnana.
Aagam- 44 -NandiSootra
-33 -
Compiled by- Deepratnasagar
