Tattvartha Sutra

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

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Hairanyavat and Airävat. Of these 35 continents, Sutra 16 states that five Bharats, five Airävats and five Mahävidehs (exclusive of Devkuru and Uttarkuru) are Karmabhoomis. It means the lands where the people have to work for their livelihood. All other areas constitute Akarmabhoomis, where the livelihood is derived from the bounties of nature. The inhabitants of those areas invariably go to the celestial abodes at the end of their life. Tirthankars are born only in Karmabhoomis.
TATTVÄRTHA SUTRA
MOUNTAIN MERU
In the exact center of Jamboodweep lies the mountain Meru. It has an altitude of 100,000 Yojans. Its lower end touches the upper level of infernal abode and the upper tip touches the bottom level of celestial abode. It is divided into three parts known as Känds. The first Känd is of 1000 Yojans lying within the ground and constitutes its base. It has the diameter of 10,000 Yojans and it mainly consists of earth. The next 63,000 Yojans constitute the second Känd, which mainly consists of silver and crystals. The remaining 36,000 Yojans constitute the third Känd, which mainly consists of gold. The diameter of Meru goes on decreasing at the higher altitudes till it remains 1000 Yojans at the top. On the top there is a 40 Yojan high Chulikä (cone-shaped tip) with a diameter of 12 Yojans at the base, 8 Yojans in the middle and 4 Yojans at the upper end.
This mountain is inaccessible to the laymen. On its side there are four huge parks known as Bhadrashäl, Nandan, Saumanas and Pändakvan. Bhadrashäl is at the surface level of Jamboodweep, Nandanvan is spread from 500 Yojans to 1000