Mahavira and his Teaching

Author(s): C C Shah, Rishabhdas Ranka, Dalsukh Malvania
Publisher: Bhagwan Mahavir 2500th Nirvan Mahotsava Samiti

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PROF. G. R. JAIN
caste--Humanity. All comforts of life flow freely and are equally available to all persons. Man has not to exert himself for his livelihood. This Age is known as Bhoga Bhūmi (UTOPIA).
The fourth epoch is of 1 X 1014 sāgaras of years minus 42,000 years. The height is now reduced to 3300 ft. and the maximum span of life is 84,00,000 Purval. At the end of the epoch the height dwindles down to about 10ft. Karma Bhumi begins as man has to work now for earning his livelihood. with the beginning of this epoch, States are formed, rulers come into existence, people begin to perform religious functions and begin to marry. New and improved methods of trade and industry are devised. There is material progress, no doubt, but spiritually the man deteriorates. It is during this epoch that the 24 Tirtharkaras are born at intervals of time who enlighten the world with their divine knowledge. Attainment of 'Mokşa' (Salvation) is possible only upto the end of this epoch. At the fag end of this epoch some new seas (upasāgaras) are born i.e. great land masses are submerged under water. This is called Khanda Pralaya.
The fifth epoch in this declining cycle is of 21,000 years. In this epoch the height, the age, and the physical strength of man are very much reduced. The maximum span of life is 120 years and is gradually reduced at the rate of 5 years after every one thousand years. By the time the epoch ends, the maximum age is 20 years and the height of 3 ft. At this time men become carnivorous and live upon trees like monkeys. They do not observe any kind of religion. All virtues are lost in them. We are at present living in the 5th epoch.
During the 6th epoch of 21,000 years2 things worsen still further. During the last 49 days of this epoch there are dust 1. One Pūrva = (8.4 million)2.
In the opinion of the writer, the magnitude of epochs, the maximum height of persons and their span of life (as given above) should not be interpreted literally. The relative figures in general indicate that during the Avasarpini Kala all these quantities steadily and gradually decline.