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 64

A SOURCB-BOOK IN JAINA PHILOSOPHY
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Purvavideha and Uttaravideha respectively. In the Dhātakīkhanda dvīpa and in Puskarardhadvīpa there are double than that of Jambūdvīpa. All these islands have been divided into three parts on the basis of the functional importance as : (i) Karmabhūmi, (ii) Akarmabhūmi, and (iii) Antaradvipa.'
Karmabhūmi' is that part of the "Madhyaloka' in which human beings are engaged in activities like agriculture, commerce, art, architecture etc. In this part, human beings are capable of earning the highest merit (punya) and the most intense demerit (pāpa). Bharata, Airavata and Mahavidela are karmabhūmis. It has been suggested that there is one each of Bharata, Airāvata and Mahāvideha and two each of the same in Jambūdvīpa and Dhätakikhanda respectively. Similarly, in Puşkarārdha Dvīpa, there are two Bharata, two Airāvata and two Mahāvideha countries. In this way there are fifteen Karma-bhūmis in the two and a half dvipas (islands).2 All the continents that we have today are covered by a small portion of the Bharataksetra in the Jambūdvīpa. From this, we can just imagine the vastness of the Madhyaloka and specially the three worlds of the universe.
That part of the universe in which there is no need to work for maintenance by following any occupation like agriculture etc., is called 'Akarmabhumi'. In this part, the enjoyment of life is possible without any work. It is also called "Bhoga-bhūmi' as there is predominence of enjoyment only. There is constant pleasure in that part, as the gods enjoy life without effort. There are six places of Bh (places of enjoyment) in the Jambūdvipa--(i) Haimavata, (ii) Hari, (iii) Ramyaka, (iv) Hairanyavata, (v) Devakuru and (vi) Uttarakuru. In this way, we find that there are double countries in Dhātakikhanda dvipa and Puşkarārdha dvīpa. There are twelve countries in each of the two dvipās i,e, in the Dhātakikhanda dvīpa and Puskarārdha. dvipa. So, in all, there are thirty Akarmabhūmis (lands of pleasure).
• Apart from the Karma and Akarma bhūmis, there are islands among the seas. They are called 'Antaradvīpa. There are twentyeight islands in the 'Lavana samudra', the sea that encircles the Jambu-dvipa alround, and at the fringe of the Himavāna Mountain. The islands in the sea are spread over in seven quadrangles (Catuşka).
1 Uttaradhyayana : 36, 195-196. 2 Uttarādhyayana i 36, 196.