Pristine Jainism

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 61

(58) : Pristine Jainism Adipurāņa by Jinasena. One complete time cycle which continues over and over again has been divided in two equal halves one अवसर्पिणी (Avasarpini) descending (retrogressive) and other ascending उत्सर्पिणी (Utsarpiņi) progressive. There are six eras of different duration in Avasarpiņi and so in Utsarpiņi. In Avasarpiņi (descending, retrogressive) these are Sukhamá- Sukhamā (Happy-Happy), Sukhamā (Happy), Sukhamā-Dukhamā (Happy-Unhappy), Dukhamā-Sukhamā (UnhappyHappy), Dukhamā (unhappy), Dukhamā-Dukhamā (Unhappy-Unhappy). In Utsarpini, (ascending, progressive) it is in reverse order starting from Dukhamā-Dukhamā to Sukhamā Sukhamā. This completes one time-cycle and repeats in sequence of Avasarpiņi-Utsarpiņi and then UtsarpiņiAvasarpiņi and so on.
The description of all these eras are described in great detail in Tiloyapaņņatti by Yati Vļşabhācārya. The following description of Sukhamā-Sukhamä (Happy Happy) is very interesting:
सुसुम सुसम्मि कालेभूमीरज-धूमजलण-हिम-रहिदा । कंटिय अब्भसिलई विच्छियादि कीडोवसग्गपरिचता ।।३२०॥ णिम्मल दप्पण सरिसा, णिदिददव्वेहिं विरहिदा तीए । सिकदा हवेदि दिव्वा, तणु-मण-णयणाण सुहजणणी ॥३२१।। तीए गुंछा गुम्मा, हुसुमंकुर फल-पवाल-परिपुण्णा । वहऔ विचित्त-वण्णा, रुक्ख समूहा समुत्तंगा ॥३२७।। वग्घादी भूमिचरा, वायस-पहुदी य खेयरा तिरिया । मंसाहरेण विणा भंजंते सुरतरुण मुहुर फलं ॥३९२।।
Tiloyapannatti, Ist Part, 4th Chapter
During this period there is no soil erosion as earth surface is covered with dense forests or variety of Kalpavrkșas, the benevolent trees. The water, glaciers are free from any dirt. The water in rivers is sparkling clean like mirror. The Kalpavrksas (trees) provide fruits and other edibles, flowers, flosses, medicines, timber for house construction, chemicals and all that is necessary for happy living. All life forms are symbiotic