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Studies in Umāsvāti
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Figure 2
Schubring also mentions that the name of the regions called neck (Graiveyaka) in the loka and the expression of head of the universe (loka-mastaka) made in the Daśavaikālikasūtra, IV. 25 make it clear that the Jaina loka is shaped in human appearance. The Daśavaikālikasūtra is one of the earliest canonical works, however, this part is obviously a later interpolation. Be that as it may, the loka was one of the earliest topics that the canonical authors had to work on, because without firmly establishing its shape, size and structure, etc., they could not advance and develop their theories of jīvas and ajīvas that abide therein. The Jainas are the natural philosophers, and they postulate that a non-universe (aloka) exists by which the loka is supported. Arguments on this matter appear in quite early canonical stages.4
The Bhagavatīsūtra (Bh.) VI. 5, 240–241, refers to the black body (tamaskāya) which envelops the four lower kalpas rising
