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Epistemology of Jainas
6. Karma vargaṇā A considerable part of the universe The entire universe
348
7.
do
Karma-vargana consists of the finest molecules. It has been shown in the sixth category. The seventh category is therefore, left blank. But it does not mean that the proportion of substance does not increase in it. In the seventh category avadhi begins to see dhruva vargaṇās, which are subtler than the karmavargaṇās. An avadhi jñānin in this stage, begins, to apprehend the atoms as well. Moreover, it generally turns into paramavadhi, which is necessarily followed by kevalajñāna.
A considerable portion of palyopama. A little less than palyopama.
The object limit of Bhavapratyaya-Avadhi1
So far we were discussing the scope of avadhi attained as the result of extraordinary virtues, in the human and sub-human kingdoms. The capacity of this avadhi is not fixed. It fluctuates according to the ethical status or the past virtues. The scope of avadhi related to the kingdoms of hell and heaven, which is effected thereby the very birth is more or less fixed. In the kingdom of hell the minimum area is four miles and the maximum eight miles. In the kingdom of heaven minimum is two hundred miles and the maximum lokanadi, the central part of universe from top to the bottom with a lenght of 14 rajjus and breadth of one ra jju.
Three stages of Deśavadhi, Pramāvadhi and Sarvavadhi2
We have mentioned above that the scope of avadhi is not fixed. It begins with an innumerable part of angula, and extends upto the entire universe. As far as its capacity is concerned it can cognize an area as big as innumerable universes. It extends up to the stage just preceding omniscience. Keeping in view the above consideration, Akalanka divides avadhi into three stages of Desavadhi (the avadhi related with a part), Paramä
1. Viseṣāvaśyakabhāṣya G. 690-699
2. Tattvärtha Rājavārtika pp. 56-57.
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