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Tattvarthasūtra
pit is filled tightly with the smallest bits of the fibre of the ram, born in uttama bhogabhumi and from one to seven days old. The bits must be so small that these are incapable of being cut further by the scissors. The number of bits of the fibre in the pit is called 'palya'1. Now, these small bits of the fibre are to be taken out one by one; one piece in one hundred years. The time taken for emptying the pit in this manner is the time (kāla) of vyavahāra palyopama. Each bit of the fibre is again cut into so many pieces as there are instants in innumerable crores of years. And (imagine that) with such bits the second pit is filled tightly. The number of bits of the fibre is the uddhāra palya. Then these bits are taken out one by one every instant. The time taken for emptying the pit in this manner is called uddhāra palyopama. Ten crore multiplied by one crore uddhāra palya make up one uddhāra sāgaropama. The continents and oceans are as numerous as the bits in two and a half uddhāra sāgaropama. The third pit is filled with bits got from cutting each bit of uddhāra palya into the number of instants in one hundred years. This is addhapalya. Then these bits are taken out one by one every instant. The time taken to empty the pit in this manner is called addha palyopama. Ten crore multiplied by one crore addha palyopama make one addhā sāgaropama. One descending cycle of time consists of ten crore multiplied by one crore addhā sagaropama. The ascending cycle is of the same extent.
The duration of the karmas, the duration of particular forms, the lifetime, and the duration of the bodies of the beings in the four states must be measured by addhā palya. It has been said thus in the Scripture, "Vyavahara, uddhāra and addha must be understood as the three palya. Vyavahāra palya is the basis of enumeration. The enumeration of continents and oceans is by the second. The duration of karmas is reckoned by the third, addha palya."
1- The number of bits of fibre in the pit, called 'palya', is mentioned as: 413452630308203177749512192000000000000000000.
(see 'Trilokasära', verse 98)
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