Studies in Jain Literature

SR No.: 001868
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 114
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Literature, & Story
File Size: 14 MB

Page 128

110 STUDIES IN JAIN LITERATURE (ascending era) in which there is an evergrowing evolution of dharma (piety), truth, happiness etc. Each of these two eras is sub-divided into six ages which have their distinguishing features fixed for them for ever. The Avasarpini consists of the following six ages : (1) Susama-susama; (2) Susama; (3) Susamaduhsama; (4) Duhsama-susama; (5) Duhsama and (6) Duhsama-duhsama. The six ages of the Utsarpini have the same names but they occur in the reverse order. The Avasarpini leads not to destruction but to the beginning of another Utsarpini. It is in the fourth age of the era that twenty-four Tirthamkaras are born. The last of them in the fourth age of the current cycle was Lord Mahavira. Although the Jains have no theory of the origin of the universe, they have their cosmography. We find its description in Umasvati's Tattvarthadhigamasutra (chapters III and IV), which is recognised as an authority by both the major sects of the Jains--the Svetambaras and the Digambaras. An outline of this account may be given as follows: Space (akasa), which is self-supported and the locus of extended things, is divided into two divisions : the universe (loka) and the non-universe (aloka). The non-universe is all void and devoid of dharma and adharma (principle of motion and of rest) and therefore impenetrable to anything. The universe is imagined as "three cups, of which the lowest is inverted and the uppermost meets at its circumference the middle one." The disk of the earth is in the lower part of the middle (madhyama). Below the disk of the earth are the seven lower regions (bhumis), one below the other, and these regions contain hells (narakas). "Above the seven regions of the hells is the disk of the earth, with its numerous continents in concentric circles separated by rings of oceans."l0 In the middle of the earth stands aloft Mount Meru. Immediately above the top of Meru twentysix heavenly regions (Vimanas) one above the other. (At the top of the universe (Lokakasa) reside the blessed perfected souls, siddhas. The detailed knowledge of the structure of the universe was believed to have been attained by contemplation.11 With the introduction of scientific astronomy and modern geography, the traditional cosmography--whether of the Hindus, the Bauddhas or the Jainshas almost lost its importance. Notes and References : 1. Rgveda X. 72. 2 2. Rgveda X. 90 esp. v.5