Tattvartha Sutra

Author(s): Umaswati, Umaswami, Manu Doshi
Publisher: Shrutratnakar Ahmedabad

Page 69

MADHYALOK JAIN CONCEPT OF GEOGRAPHY
southern parts by the rivers Sheetä and Sheetodä. Sheetä rises from the mountain Neel and initially flowing southward, it turns east and flows towards the eastern coast of Lavansamudra. Sheetodä rises from the mountain Nishadh and initially flowing northward it turns west and flows towards the western coast of the said sea. Mahävideh Kshetra is thus divided into four major divisions.
Each of those four divisions is further divided into eight subdivisions known as Vijay. As such, there are 32 Vijays in that Kshetra. Of these 32 subdivisions, the mention should be made of those lying on the northern bank of Sheetä, as they are more frequently referred to in Jain literature. They are known as Kutch, Sukutch, Mahäkutch, Kutchkävati, Ävarta, Mangalävarta, Pushkalävarta and Pushkalävati. Lord Simandhar, the extant Tirthankar is supposed to live in Pundarikini, which is believed to be the capital city of Pushkalävati. In addition to those 32 Vijays, there are two regions attached to Mahävideh. They are known as Devkuru and Uttarkuru. Devkuru lies in the space between Meru and Nishadh, while Uttarkuru between Meru and Neel.
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Jamboodweep thus consists of seven main continents, six mountain ranges, two regions of Devkuru and Uttarkuru and 56 islands lying in Lavansamudra. Bharat and Airävat, Haimvat and Hairanyavat, Harivarsha and Ramyagvarsha, Devkuru and Uttarkuru, Purvavideh and Aparvideh are equal and lie opposite each other.
द्विर्धातकीखण्डे ॥३-१२॥ पुष्करार्धे च ॥३ - १३॥