Notes on Modern Jainism

Author(s): Mrs Sinclair Stevenson
Publisher: Oxford

Page 91

JAINA DIVISIONS OF TIME.
The Jaina believe that, while the world was never created and will never end, two periods of time, a Rise and a Decline, have followed each other and will follow each other endlessly in ceaseless rotation,
These two divisions are known as the Utsarpini (@c24rien), or Rising, and the Avasarpiņi ( 2497[úen) or Falling; each of these, true to the Jaina genius for classification, is subdivided into six periods.
A Utsarpini. This era begins when everything is at its very worst, and its first and worst period is known as Dusuma Duxama ($4748474). This is followed by Dušamu, when, though everything is very evil, a sight improvement has taken place. Dusama Susama ( $474 447 ) is a period a little better still, when there is some joy as well as some sorrow; and in Susamı Dusama joy preponderates over sorrow. The fifth period, Susama, is entirely joyful, and it is followed by Susama Surama, a time of extreme and intense joy,
B. Avasarpini. Unfortunately we are now living in the declining period of the world's happiness.
(1) It began with Susuma Susama, a period which lasted for countless years, and of which a rather pretty picture was given me by a Jaina. The children that were born in that happy age were always fortunate. They were always born twins, a boy and girl, beautiful trees provided them with fruit to eat, and the bark of these trees served
79