________________
Tattvārthasūtra
corners of the northern Vijayārdha like the elephant and the mirror, those between the corners of the southern Vijayārdha like the cow and the ram. Those with single thigh reside in caves and live on clay. The rest dwell on trees and live on flowers and fruits. All of them live for one palyopama. All these twenty-four antardvīpa are one yojana high from the water level. Similarly, it should be understood in Kāloda ocean. All these are 'antardvīpaja mleccha'. The unevolved in other parts of the world - of labour - are the savage tribes, the ionians, the mountaineers, the foresters and so on. These are 'karmabhūmija mleccha'.
Which are the regions of labour?
भरतैरावतविदेहाः कर्मभूमयोऽन्यत्र देवकुरूत्तरकुरुभ्यः ॥३७॥ पाँच मेरु सम्बन्धी पाँच भरत, पाँच ऐरावत, पाँच विदेह (देवकुरु तथा उत्तरकुरु ये दोनों छोड़कर), इस प्रकार अढाई द्वीप में कुल पन्द्रह कर्मभूमियाँ हैं। Bharata, Airāvata, and Videha, excluding Devakuru and Uttarakuru, are the regions of labour – karmabhūmi.
Bharata, Airāvata, and Videha are five each. All these are described as the regions of labour - karmabhūmi. The inclusion of Videha would imply the inclusion of Devakuru and Uttarakuru. In order to exclude these, it is mentioned 'excluding Devakuru and Uttarakuru'. Devakuru, Uttarakuru, Haimavata, Harivarsa, Ramyaka, Hairanyavata and the mid-isles (antardvīpa) are called the regions of enjoyment - bhogabhūmi. Why are the ‘regions of labour' – karmabhūmi – so called? This is because these are the seats of good (śubha) and evil (aśubha) deeds. Although the three worlds constitute the seat of activity, still these regions are the seats of intense karmic activity. For instance, demerit
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
142
