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An Epitome of Jainism This Middle World consists of concentric rings of successive Continents and Oceans. Each succeeding ring has a width double of the ring-width of its predecessor. In the centre of the Middle World there is the first Continent Jambûdvîpa, of a diameter of one lac (1,00,000) Yojanas. It has in its centre the Sumeru mountain, which has a height of 1,00,040 Yojanas, 40 Yojanas of which form the top, and 1,000 Yojanas of which are embedded in the earth as the sub-terranean foundation of the Mountain, and which has a circular base with a diameter of 10,000 Yojanas.
The Ocean, Lavaņa, next to Jambûdvîpa and encircling it all round is a ring with a width of 2 lac Yojanas. The next Dhátuki Khanda, is a continent, a ring with a width of 4 lac Yojanas. The next Kálodadhi is the Second Ocean with a ring-width of 8 lac Yojanas. The next Puskaravara Dvîpa, is the third Continent with a ring-width of 16 lac Yojanas. And so on, till through innumerable Continents and Oceans we reach the last pair of rings, the Svyambhû Ramaņa Ocean. This is the last ring of water holding our Middle World in its embrace.
It is to be noted that the third Continent Puśkara-Vara-Dvîpa has a circular mountain bisecting it equally throughout the width of its ring. This mountain is called Mánuşottara, Cis-human, as there are no human beings beyond its limits nor can any human being go beyond its limit. Thus the human regions are a circle of 45 lacs of Yojanas, and comprise the first two oceans and the first two and a half Continents.
It is noticeable that in Jainism there are 5 regions, each with a diameter of 45 lacs of Yojans.
(1) The above human region is called the 21 Dvîpas. (2) As Nirvana is attained only from the human regions, the Siddha
Kșetra at the top of the Universe also is a region with a diameter
of 45 lac Yojanas. (3) So is Siddha Sila, the earth below the Siddha Kșetra. (4) The first Indraka-Vimana or central celestial Car or residence,
is just one hair's breadth above the apex of Sumeru. The first Indraka Bila or central hellish hole or residence of the denizens of hell in the first layer of hell is one lac Yojanas below
our earth. It is also interesting to note that there are three regions with a diameter of one lac Yojanas, and two regions with a height and thickness of the same extent, viz: -
(1) Jambûdvspa, the first Continent in the centre of the middle World. (2) The last Indraka Vimana or central celestial Car or residence in
Sarvártha Siddhi in the last or 3rd layer of the Upper World. The last Indraka Bila, or central hellish hole, or residence of the denizens of hell in the last or 49th layer of hell in the seventh earth
in the Lower World. (4) The height of Mount Summeru minus its top of 40 Yojanas.
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