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Time/Kaala/Samaya
Now, before we understand how a bhavya living being can attain samyaktva, let us examine two important concepts -'kaala' (a fixed or right point of time/measure of time/section of time) and *samaya' {appointed or proper time/opportune time/right moment). Upon understanding these two concepts, we shall understand the importance of getting close to samyaktva.
Pudgala paraavartana kaala: Imagine touching each and every space point in the entire universe! The length of time you need to spend in transmigration, in order to take birth a sufficient number of times to touch each space point present in the universe, is mind-boggling. That length of time is longer than the time it takes for the wheel of time to rotate umpteen times, going through infinite ascending periods (utsarpinii) and descending periods (avasarpinii) and living through the lifespans of infinite series of 24 Tirthankaras (chauviisii). This vast and infinite tract of time is known as pudgala paraavartana. Jains believe that time is infinite, without any beginning or end. Time is divided into infinite but equal time cycles (kaala-chakras). Every time cycle is further sub-divided into two equal halves. The first half is the progressive cycle or ascending order, called utsarpiniii. The other half is the regressive cycle or the descending order, called avasarpiniii.
Jains divide time as under:
1 samaya= minuscule, indivisible, finest, most minute iota of time.
Innumerable samayas = 1 avalikaa
16777216 avalikaas = 1 muhuurta = 48 minutes
30 muhuurtas = 24 hours (one day + one night)
Innumerable years 1 palyopama
10 kodaakodii palyopama 10 crores of crores of palyopamas = 1 saagaropama
10 kodaakodii saagaropama = 10 crores of crores of saagaropamas = 1 utsarpiniii/1 avasarpiniii
1 utsarpiniii + 1 avasarpiniii= 1 kaala-chakra (1 time cycle)
Infinitekaala-chakras 1 pudgala paraavartana kaala
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