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The Bhagavān Mahavira started his answers which were as follows:
"The spheres have to be viewed from four angles, viz., as substance, as place, as time and as phenomena".
As to substance, the spheres are one and with limit.
"As to place, the spheres are said to be extended over innumerable crores of yojanas in length and breadth, and over innumerable crores of yojanas in circumference, but still with limit".
"As to time, the spheres existed in the past, they exist in the present and they will exist in the future. There was, there is and there will be no time when there were no spheres. The spheres did exist, and will continue to exist. The spheres are fixed, eternal permanent, non-depreciating, non-wearing-out, ever-existent, and without limit!'
"As to phenomena, the spheres are with limitless colours, smells, substances and touches, with limitless physical structures, with limitless heaviness and lightness, with limitless non-heaviness non-lightness, and without limit.
"So, you see, Skandaka, as to substance, the spheres are with limit, and so they are with limit as to place; but as to time, the sphères are without limit and so also without limit they are as to phenomena".
"As to souls, think in terms of the same four items. As to substance, the souls are one and with limit. As to place, souls are with innumerable space-units, holding innumerable space-units, but still with limit. As to time, there was no time, nor there will be any, when souls did not, do not and will not exist, till ever-existent and without limit. As to phenomena, souls are in possession of limitless knowledge, of limitless vision, of limitless conduct, of limitless non-heaviness non-lightness, and again without limit. So, you see, as to substance, souls are with limit, and so also as to place, they are with limit; but as to time, without limit, and so as to phenomena, i.e., without limit".
