Agam 18 Upang 07 Jambudveep Pragnapti Sutra Sthanakvasi

Author(s): Amarmuni, Shreechand Surana
Publisher: Padma Prakashan

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Hairanyavat, Airavat and suchlike regions, thirty two Vijayas. Ganga, Sindhu, Sita, Sitoda, Rupyamula, Suvarnkula, Ruktavati, Rukta rivers and the like, the celestial beings commanding these mountains and regions, the anointing of Tirthankar, the sun, moon, planets, constellations, stars and the like, Jyotish gods, the time division such as day, fortnight, month, half-year, year and the like and the matters relating these to have been discussed in detail in this Agam.
This Sutra is the treasurer of knowledge relating to Jain culture and Jain history. The detailed and comprehensive account of Bhagavan Rishabh Dev-The first Tirthankar and Emperor Bharat, the first Chakravarti of that period which we find in this Agam is not available in any other scripture. In case one studies this Sutra with full concentration, he can know many important matters relating to Jain culture.
Jambudveep (Continent)
Jambudveep in which we live is at the centre of all the islands and oceans in the middle world. It is one lakh yojan long and one lakh yojan wide. At many places in Sthanang, Samvayang and Bhagavati Sutra, there is a little account of Jambudveep. In addition to Jain tradition, even in Vedic and Buddhist scriptures, this great continent is described as Jambudveep. According to Shrimad Bhagavat, the scripture of Hindus, this land is divided into seven continents and the fourth continent out of them is Jambu continent. It is circular in shape and one lakh yojan wide. In the commentary on Yogic philosophy by Vyas, alongwith Jambudveep, Sumeru mountain, Jambu tree, Neel Nishadh mountain, Utttar Kuru, Lavan Sea and the like have also been mentioned. All these names are in Jain scriptures.
In Abhidharm Kosh of the Buddhists, there is description of Jambu island, Jambu tree, Uttar Kuru, East Videh and the like. On the basis of these references, it can be said with certainly that Jambu continent and its rivers and mountains are not imaginary. But there is a well reasoned account in all the three streams of Indian culture namely Jainism, Vedic and the Buddhist texts but with a little variation. It is a geographical fact accepted by all Indian texts and astrology that give prominance to Jambudveep even today.
Subject Matter of the Present Agam
This Agam has seven chapters (Vakshaskar). In the first chapter, while replying to the questions put up by Gautam, Bhagavan said, "This
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