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The introduction of the Sun and its associated deities, known as the Jyotishka Devas, is described in the Agamas as follows:
The realm of the Jyotishchakra begins 790 yojanas above the flat land of Mount Meru, located in the center of Jambudvipa, and extends for 110 yojanas. This means the Jyotishchakra is situated in the Madhyaloka (middle realm). Excluding 10 yojanas, the Sun's celestial vehicles are located 800 yojanas above the flat land of Meru. The Moon's celestial vehicles are 80 yojanas above that. From there, up to 20 yojanas, meaning a total of 900 yojanas above the flat land of Meru, are the planets, constellations, and scattered stars. The reason for calling the group of stars scattered is that some stars are erratic and move sometimes below the Sun and Moon, and sometimes above them. All these Jyotishkas are also located in the Madhyaloka.
The Jyotishkas are within the boundaries of the Manushyaloka (human realm) and they keep moving. Therefore, they are called "Char Jyotishkas" (moving celestial bodies). The concept of Muhurta (auspicious time), Prahar (watch), Ahoratra (day and night), Paksha (fortnight), Masa (month), Atit (past), Vartaman (present), and countless other time periods are based on the movement of these Char Jyotishkas.
Beyond the boundaries of the Manushyaloka, the celestial vehicles of the Jyotishkas are stationary. By nature, they remain fixed in one place and do not move. Therefore, they do not rise or set, and their light remains constant, yellow in color and extending for lakhs of yojanas. Hence, they are called "Sthir Jyotishkas" (stationary celestial bodies).
All Jyotishkas are divided into five groups, representing the Sun, Moon, planets, constellations, and stars. It appears that they are constantly moving only for the sake of human creation. Here, an explanation regarding the multiplicity of the Sun and Moon is necessary for understanding the symbolic nature of Jain principles. Primarily, it is believed that there are two Suns and two Moons in Jambudvipa (Madhyaloka). The division of time is determined by the movement of these luminous deities.
According to Jain philosophy, all visible and invisible substances in the universe are divided into six categories of substances, and "Kal" (time) is considered one of them. Both conscious and inert substances are active in all three times. The only basis for determining the time limit of the activity of the soul and the inert substance is the substance of time. Generally, there is no independent substance called "Kal" in the universe, but because it is extremely beneficial in relation to the aforementioned inert and conscious substances, the scholars have also called it a formal substance. Here, the meaning of Kal is indicative of time (seconds, minutes, hours, days, fortnights, months, and years, etc.). If there are any means of determining this time, they are the "Sun and Moon."
The omniscient Tirthankara, the Supreme Being, has said that both the Sun and Moon are countless, and there is no difference in their number. In fact, they are "Jyotish Devas" (celestial deities) among the four types of deities. The universe is illuminated by the light of the intricate and unique jewels in their celestial vehicles. The jewels in the Sun's celestial vehicle cause the present one-sensed beings to experience hot light due to the Atap Karma (karma related to heat), and the jewels in the Moon's celestial vehicle cause the present one-sensed beings to experience cold light due to the Udyot Karma (karma related to light).
There are countless Suns who are the Indra (chief) of the Jyotishka group, and the celestial vehicles of these countless Sun Indras are different. Similarly, the celestial vehicles of the Moons are also different. Each celestial vehicle of the Sun is carried by 16,000 Abhiyogi (servants, etc.) deities, with 4,000 in the form of lions in the east, 4,000 in the form of elephants in the south, 4,000 in the form of bulls in the west, and 4,000 in the form of horses in the north. The Sun's celestial vehicles are 800 yojanas high from the Earth and are eternal. One yojana of eternal substances is equal to 3,600 miles. The Sun and Moon are constantly spreading light in Jambudvipa and the countless islands and oceans beyond it. As follows:
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