Avsarpini
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Avsarpini is the Prakrit word used for time period in Jainism. Avsarpini is use for Present age according to Jain belief. All the present 24 Jain Tirthankar, from Rishabhdev to Mahavir are from Avsarpini kala (time/age).
The Jain religion, according to the Jain scriptures is eternal, revealed in every cyclic period of the world.
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[edit] Kalacakra: The wheel of time
Time is divided into two equal cycles, Avasarpini Kala and Utsarpini Kala. Each cycle is divided into six different divisions. The six divisions known as aras (Spokes of a wheel).
- Avasarpini
1.Sushama-Sushama 2.Sushama 3.Sushama-Duhshama 4.Duhshama-Sushama 5.Duhshama 6.Duhshama-Duhshama
- Utsarpini
1.Duhshama-Duhshama 2.Duhshama 3.Duhshama-Sushama 4.Sushama-Duhshama 5.Sushama 6.Suhshama-Sushama
[edit] Details of sub division of Avasarpini and Utarsarpini kala
Avasarpini and Utsarpini Each Kala extends over 10 Kota-Koti sagaropama years. The first ara Sushama-Sushama of 4 Kota-Koti sagaropama years, the second ara Susama of 3 Kota-Koti Sagaropama years, the third ara Sushama-Duhshama of 2 Kota-Koti sagaropama years, the fourth Duhshama-Sushama of the duration of 42 thousand years less in one Kota-Koti sagaropama years, the fifth are Duhshama of 21 thousand years and the last ara Duhshama-Duhshama will be 21 thousand years duration. At present, Duhshama is going on of which nearly twenty four hundred and eighty one years have passed. In the Utsarpini Kala, the order of the aras is the reverse.
[edit] Ara of Avasarpini Kala
1. During the first ara of Sushama-Sushama of the Avasarpini Kala, the age of the yugalika people was three palyopama years. They took their food on the fourth day, their bodies were very tall and were marked by auspicious symbols. They were devoid of anger, pride, deceit, greed and other sinful acts. Various kinds of the kalpa trees fulfilled their wishes.
2. During the second ara named Sushama, the yugalika lived for two palyopamas. They took their food at an interval of three days. They were also tall. The kalpa trees less supplied their wants than before. The objects of land and water became less sweet and fruitful than they were during the first ara.
3. During the third ara of Sushama-Duhshama, the age limit of the yugalikas became one palyopama. They took their food on the second day. The earth and water as well as height and strength of the body went on decreasing and they became less than they were during the second ara.
4. During the fourth ara Duhshama-Sushama, the height of the human being became five hundred dhanushyas and with ever progressing decrease it was reduced only to seven hands at the end of the fourth ara. Even the period of age limit was reduced approximately to one hundred years and less at the close of this ara. At this time, there was much happiness but the slight misery. People were happy and prosperous. The land was fertile and produced the abundant fruits.
At this time, the Tirthankaras were born and propagated Jainism. Lord Rishabha Deva, the first Tirthankar lived in the later part of the third ara and the remaining twenty three Tirthankaras lived during the forth ara. In the time of Rishabha, the Kalpa trees ceased to fulfill the wishes, placing the people under difficulties. Under these circumstances, Rishabha instructed them to get on with the different occupations such as trade, agriculture etc. The people engaged in different occupations, formed different social groups. Lord Rishabha is very often described as a creator of the world in the sense of laying the socio-economic foundation.
In the fourth ara, 21 Tirthankar Nami Natha died 5,00,000 years,& before 22nd Tirthankar Neminatha, Munisuvrata 11,00,000 or a krore; the following intervals can not be expressed in definite numbers of years but are given in palyopamas and sagaropamas. The length of the life and the height of the Tirthankaras are in proportion to the length of the interval. In connection with these proportion to the length of the interval. In connection with these items of the mythical history of the Jains, it may be added that they relate the life-length of twelve universal monarchs (Chakravartins); of nine Vasudevas, nine Baladevas, and nine Prati-Vasudevas who lived within the period from the first to the second Tirthankara together with the 24 Tirthankaras. They are the 63 great personages of Jain history.
5. During the fifth are named Duhshama, the present age during which we are living, the height, age limit and the strength of the human beings will be reduced. The majority of the people will be miserable and there will be little piety and honesty. After that, there will be the sixth ara Duhshama-Duhshama in which there will be no sense of reason and morality among the people. The age, height and strength of the human beings will decrease to a great extent. People will suffer from the various diseases and thus, their lived will be miserable.
Similarly, to the sixth and fifth aras of the Avasarpini Kala are first and the second of the Utasarapini Kala. At the end of the second ara named Dushama of the Utsarapini Kala, there will be seven Kulkaras. After the lapse of the Duhshama ara of the Utsarapini Kala, there will be sixty three excellent personages.
This is only an imaginary theory similar to several such theories in the Purans and it can not be scientifically proved and historically demonstrated. It is only based on the firm faith of the authors and the strong traditions of Jainism. According to them, Jainism is eternal and came into existence with the very dawn of the civilization.
