Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 1

Author(s): Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Parimal Publication

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the age-limit of their existence went on decreasing, and they became much less than they were during the second ara.
The existence of the yugalikas was limited to the first, second, and third ara of the avasarpiņi kāla and to the latter part of the fourth and to the fifth and the sixth ara of the utsarpiņi kāla. The yugalikas after death are, as a rule, born in svarga-bhūmi (heavens).
4. During the fourth ara named Dusama-susamã, with everprogressing decrease, the height of human beings was reduced to five hundred dhanusya and it went on decreasing till at the end of the fourth ara the height of human beings was reduced to seven hands. The period of age-limit, gradually went on decreasing till, at the end of the fourth ara, it became reduced to one hundred years and less. During this period, there was very slight misery and much happiness. People were wealthy and prosperous. There were timely and sufficient rains. Land was fertile, and yielded abundant crops.
This age is chiefly conspicuous by the existence of highly talented, divine, supremely exalted Seers, who propagated various Religions and Systems of Philosophy all over the world. Lord Risabha-deva,-the first Tirthankara of the present series of twenty-four Tirthankaras of the Jainas,-lived in the latter part of the third ara, and the remaining twenty-three Tirthankaras lived during the fourth ara.
5. During the fifth ara named Duṣama-the present age during which we are living, and of which twenty-four hundred and seventy years have passed-the height and age-limit of human beings, becomes reduced to six feet, and less than one hundred years till at the end of the fifth ara the height of human beings will be one hand and their age-limit will be twenty years. The strength of their bodies will be much less and the articulations of their bodies will be very weak. This ara is of the duration of twenty-one thousand years.
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