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believed that twenty Viharmān Jinas are presently touring this subcontinent and preaching the Jina gospel there. The Nether Universe (Adholoka) –
As we have already mentioned, the seven hellish grounds are suspended in the nether universal space, one above the other. The vertical expanse of the nether universe is 900 Yojana less than seven Rajju. The seven hellish grounds therein are --
1. Ratnaprabhā Prthvī, 2. Sarkarāprabhā Prthvī, 3. Bālukāprabhā Prthvī, 4. Pankaprabhā Prthvī, 5. Dhūmraprabha Prthvī, 6. Tamaḥprabhā Prthvī, and 7. Mahātamaḥprabhā Pithvi.
All these hellish grounds are wider than the previous ones the seventh ground being seven Rajju wide. Conclusion -
This is a very brief description of the universal space. All worldly living beings constantly transmigrate into its various parts except the Siddhsilā; form where there is no coming back. Even this cursory coverage on Jambūdvīpa and Bharatksetra is enough to tell us that it does not conform to the modern cosmic and geographic details. The reasons for this difference are buried in the antiquity and a lot of research and further discovery is needed before the two may eventually reconcile.
232 : JAINISM: THE CREED FOR ALL TIMES
