________________ Pancastikaya-samgraha Time periods of still greater values are known as innumerable time (asamkhyata); these are not expressed in years but in terms of the time required to perform certain mental activities as mentioned in the Scripture. Briefly, numbers expressing innumerable time periods, are expressed, in ascending order, as under: vyavaharapalya leads to the time period known as vyavaharapalyopama; uddharapalya leads to the time period known as uddharapalyopama; and addhapalya leads to the time period known as addhapalyopama (palyopama or palya, in short). Further, 10 x 1 crore x 1 crore addhapalyopama = addhasagaropama (sagaropama or sagara, in short) Terms like palyopama and sagaropama are used to express the age of worldly souls, the duration of karmas, and the worldly cycle of time. Jaina cosmology divides the worldly cycle of time (kalpakala) in two parts or half-cycles - ascending (utsarpini) and descending (avasarpini) - each consisting of 10 x 1 crore x 1 crore addhasagaropama (10 kotakoti sagaropama). Thus, one cycle of time (kalpakala) gets over in 20 kotakoti sagaropama. During the ascending period (utsarpini) of the half-cycle, in the regions of Bharata and Airavata, there is the all-round increase in age, strength, stature and happiness of the living beings, while during the descending period (avasarpini) of the half-cycle, there is the all-round deterioration. Just as the moon continues its never-ending journey of waxing and waning luminance, there is incessant and eternal revolution of the worldly cycle of time in these regions. Time periods beyond these values are termed as infinite (ananta) in Jaina cosmology. @ @ . . . .. . 60
