________________
THE INITIATION AND OMNISCIENCE OF AJITA
117
and twenty-four at the top. On the other side of it, mortals are not born, nor do they die. Even animals, etc., do not die, if they have gone to its other side. For that reason it is named “Mānuşottara.' Beyond it there is no coarse fire, no clouds, lightning, rivers, time, etc.
The people in the Manuşyaloka (661-683) In the two and a half continents and two oceans humans arise by birth in these thirty-five zones on this side of Mānuşottara and in the Antaradvipas; on the mountains, Meru, etc., by means of kidnaping and the power of learning. They are called Bhāratakas, Jambūdvipyas, Lavaņakas, etc., from divisions on the basis of zones, continents, and oceans. From the division into Aryas and Mlecchas they are twofold. The Aryas have subdivisions : kşetra (country), jāti (caste), kula (family), karma (work), silpa (craft), and bhāsā (language). The kşetrāryas are born in the fifteen karmabhūmis.253 Here in Bharata they have twenty-five and one-half places of origin. These Arya-countries are to be distinguished by cities as follows: I. Magadha ..
Rājagļha. 2. Angadeśa..
.. Campā. 3. Varga
.. Tāmralipti. 4. Kāśi
Vārāṇasi. Kalinga
Kāñcanapuri. Kosala
.. Sāketa. Kuru
Gajapura. Kuśārtaka
Saurya. 9. Pañcāla
.. Kāmpilya. 10. Jãngala ..
Ahicchatra. II. Videha ..
.. Mithila.
258 665. These are 5 Bharatas, 5 Airāvatas, and 5 Videhas. A karmabhūmi is where the inhabitants must earn their living by ploughing trade, etc. Uttar. B. com. to 36. 194. Or, according to others, where mokşa may be attained ; or where karma is acquired that leads to any state after death. T. 3. 16; Uttar.K. com, to 36. 196.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
