Visuddhimagga XIV-193

496. Hīnapaṇītabhedo duvidho pariyāyato nippariyāyato ca. Tattha akaniṭṭhānaṃ rūpato sudassīnaṃ rūpaṃ hīnaṃ. Tadeva sudassānaṃ rūpato paṇītaṃ. Evaṃ yāva narakasattānaṃ rūpaṃ, tāva pariyāyato hīnapaṇītatā veditabbā. Nippariyāyato pana yattha akusalavipākaṃ uppajjati, taṃ hīnaṃ. Yattha kusalavipākaṃ, taṃ paṇītaṃ.

「劣、胜」之别，有差别（借喻的）及非差别（正义）二种。此中：比较色究竟天的色，则善见天的色为劣；而此善见天的色比较善现天则为胜。如是乃至地狱有情的色，当知从差别而比较胜劣。其次依非差别说，那不善异熟识生起之处的色为劣，善异熟识生起之处的色为胜。

Ñ(XIV,193): (viii)-(ix) Inferior and superior are twofold, namely, figuratively (relatively) and absolutely (literally). Herein, the materiality of the Sudassin deities is inferior to the materiality of the Akaniṭṭha (Highest) deities. That same materiality [of the Sudassin deities] is superior to the materiality of the Sudassa deities. Thus, firstly, should inferiority and superiority be understood figuratively (relatively) down as far as the denizens of hell. But absolutely (literally) it is inferior where it arises as unprofitable result, and it is superior where it arises as profitable result.