________________
THE MEASURE OF ALL-EMBRACING KNOWLEDGE 207
3. Utkrishta (maximum) countable is Madhyama countable +1=Preliminary countless-1 (let us say x - 1)
4. Jaghanya (minimum) Preliminary countless is x as already stated. But what is x? It is determined in this way.
Suppose a countless or interminable alternating series of continents and oceans, like that appertaining to what is known as the inadhyaloka in the Scripture, all situated round each other, like concentric rings, with the minimum diameter of 100,000 yojanas (1 yojana=2,000 kosses i.e., 4,000 miles), which keeps on doubling itself in the case of each succeeding continent and sea. Suppose also a set of four kundas (pits), to be termed A, B, C, and D, each 1,000 yojanas (=1,000 X 4,000=40,00,000 miles) deep and of the diameter of the smallest continent (i.e., 100,000 yojanas.) Suppose further that we fill the pit A with mustard seeds, up to the top and above it in a pyramidal or conical form. It is estimated that the number of mustard seeds in the pit will be 1997,1129,33845,1516,3636,3636,3636,3636,3636,3636, 3636,367
Now suppose that we empty this pit of its seeds, and go on dropping one such seed in each of the continents and oceans of the Madhyaloka, stopping where the last seed is dropped. Here we dig another pit of the diameter of this continent or ocean and of the depth of 1,000 yojanas as before. This is to be filled in a pyramidal form, as before, and then to be emptied by dropping a single seed in every succeeding continent and ocean, beginning with the one next to that in which it is situated. In this way we go on again till this second pit is completely emptied, stopping, as before, in the continent or ocean where the last seed is dropped, and again digging there a new pit of the depth of 1,000 yojanas and of the diameter of the ocean or continent itself. This process will be continued so long as the pit D is not filled
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
