Prof. Muni Mahendra Kumar
In the Shvetambara tradition, the four cylinders as described in the Digambara tradition are used, but the height of each cylinder is more than that in the latter. Here, it is mentioned that each cylinder has a 8 yojanas tall jagatī (wall) with 2 kośa (=0.5 yojanas) tall vedikā (platform) on the wall. Thus, the total height of each cylinder is h equal to 1000 yojanas + 8 yojanas + 0.5 yojanas
h = 1008.5 yojanas.
The process of filling and emptying the cylinders is the same, till the cylinder A (śalākā kuṇḍa) is completely filled for the first time. The next process is different. It is as follows:
Now, when the cylinder A is filled completely for the first time, then the first seed is dropped in the cylinder B (pratiśalākā kuṇḍa). Now, the seeds filled in the cylinder A are dropped one by in one in the rings of oceans and continents ahead and thus the cylinder A is emptied. Now, a new anavasthita kuṇḍa is made with the diameter equal to that of the ring in which the last seed was dropped, and again the cylinder A is filled with seeds through the same process as before. In this way, on filling the cylinder A for the second time, second seed is dropped in the cylinder B. Again the cylinder A is emptied in the rings ahead and the new anavasthita kuṇḍas are made, and again and again the cylinder A is filled and emptied, and everytime a seed is dropped in the cylinder B. In this way, when the cylinder B is completely filled for the first time, a seed is dropped in the cylinder C. Again the cylinders A and B are emptied by dropping the seeds in the rings ahead, and the above process is again and again repeated and every time the cylinder B is completely filled, one by one the seeds are dropped in the cylinder C, till it is completely filled. Thus, when all the cylinders A, B and C are completely filled, a new anavasthita kuṇḍa is made with the diameter equivalent to that of the ring in which the last seed was dropped. Now, this ultimate cylinder X is completely filled with seeds.
Now, all the four cylinders are emptied in a place. Again, all the seeds dropped in the rings are also brought to the same place and heaped there. The total number of seeds in this heap minus one is equal to the Utkṛṣṭa saṃkhyāta (U. S.).
