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Currently, we are in the fifth era of the descendant (Avasarpiņi) time phase of the current -- Hundā time cycle of the duration of twenty Koțākoti Sāgaropamas. According to the Jaina precept, the age of the universe is infinite number of such time cycles in the past and it will continue to survive for another infinite such time cycles. Time Of Complete Material Experience (Pudgala Pară vartana Kāla) -
Time taken for any living being to experience the pleasure or the pain due to each and every particle of tangible matter in the universe is called Pudgala Parāvartana Kāla. Its variations are material, spatial, time related and mode related as well as gross and fine. This time is so inestimably immense that no formulae for its estimation have been given. Infinite Time (Ananta Kāla) -
As the very classification suggests, it is endless time.
It will be seen that the Jaina concept of time is quite immense and mentions of such time-scales is not found in other religious philosophies.
Yet another feature of time is that its ultimate particles do not combine to form aggregates and, therefore, time exists in the form of individual time-particles only.
Conclusion -
Time is an essential material as well as controlling feature of the universe. It's characteristics of uninterrupted passage and of changing everything that comes its way, makes it the most powerful medium that exists. It is rightly said that everything depends on time.
238 : JAINISM: THE CREED FOR ALL TIMES
