Source Book in Jaina Philosophy

SR No.: 001263
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Devendramuni
Publisher: Tarak Guru Jain Granthalay
Publication Year: 1983
Total Pages: 590
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Philosophy
File Size: 10 MB

Page 62

A SOURCE-BOOK IN JAINA PHILOSOPHY
does not reach the end of the universe. It may be that he has covered the major portion of the distance of the universe, still the remaining part might measure innumerable' parts (asankhyeya bhāga).
Dr. Einstein says that the diameter of the universe can be measured as consisting of one crore and eighty lakhs of light-years. The distance of light year is measurable in terms of the movement of a light-ray in terms of time. A ray of light of the sun travels at a speed of 1,86,000 miles per second.
URDHVALOKA (THE UPPER UNIVERSE)
41
1.3
That part of the universe which is 900 yojanas above the world that we live in, is called the upper universe (Urdhvaloka). The gods live in this part of the world. It is therefore called 'Brahmaloka', 'Devaloka', 'Yakşaloka', and 'Svargaloka'.' The uppermost part of this world is called 'Sarvārtha-siddhi'. Siddha-gila is situated twelve yojanas above 'Sarvārtha-siddha'. It measures 45 lakh yojanas in length and breadth. The circumference of 'Siddhaśilā' measures a little more than the breadth by three times. In the centre it measures 8 yojanas. It gets narrowed down from all the four sides. It appears like an open umbrella. It is white and pure, like the conch, the pearl and, therefore it is called 'Sita'. Another name for it is Tşatprāgbhāra'. One yojana above this is end of the universe. In the uppermost one-sixth portion of this one yojana space, the liberated souls reside. 'Lokanta' has been called 'Lokāgra' in the Uttaradhyayanasütra.4
The gods are not born of wombs. They are born in a special form and a divine bed called upapāt saiyya. They do not suffer premature death. They are extremely brave. They could be classified into four categories on the basis of their residence: (i) 'Bhavanavāsī', (ii) 'Vyantara', (iii) ‘Jyotişka' and (iv) 'Vaimānika'. The svargas having the status of Indra etc., are considered to be named as Kalpa and the gods taking birth there are referred to as 'kalpotpanna'. Those who are above the Kalpa are called 'Kalpātīta'. In this part of the
1 Uttaradhyayana : 19, 8; 18, 29; 5, 24; 14, 41. 2 Uttaradhyayana ṭīkā : Ācārya Atmārāin, p. 1668.
3 Uttaradhyayana 1 36, 57-62.
4 Uttaradhyayana 1 36, 56.