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TULSI-PRAJNA
inhabited universe (loka). It is the stellar universe. Beyond this is the infinite, unlimited, it is the empty space (aloka). In the boundless unlimited beyond viz., aloka, substances like dharma, adharma, kāla and jiva have no relevance. The limitation of the universe is also due to the fact that these doctrines of motion and rest (dharma and adharma) are operative.
According to the Uttaradhyayana sūtra and the Bhagavati Sūtra the diverse regions of the universe are described as upper world (urdhvaloka), middle universe (madhya loka) and the nether world (tiryak loka). The middle world is called as Karmabhūmi' in which human beings live and are involved in activity in the Uttarādhyayana sutra the loka is portrayed as that which sustains jiva and ajiva. The universe is confined and limited while the aloka is boundless. The bounded space (lokākāsa) has numberless pradesas while the boundless aloka bas unlimited pradesas.
According to Māhavsra the foundation of the universe could be present in eight forms,
1. Abāsa is the foundation of the air. 2. The sea is based in the air. 3. The carth is in the sea. 4. The movable and immovable beings are on the earth. 5. Ajiva is based on jiva. 6. The Jiva tangled in the wheel of life is relied on karma, and
the encrustation of karma. 7. Ajiva is apprehended with the aid of jīva 8. Jiva is covered by karmic particles and apprehends the nature
of karma.
The chief elements of the universe are earth, water, air and space. The universe is founded on the basis of these elements. The basic substances of the universe are matter (ajiva) and life (jīva). They are interdependent and interrelated. Because of the influx of karmic matter the jivas get involved in the wheel of life. In this regard Jainism is dualistic.
According to the Jains the world is not non-eternal nor totally destroyed. According to the Sūtrakstānga Commentary it is stated from the Jain standpoint the world is not non-eternal nor totally annihilated. From the view point of substance (dravyāstikāya) it is the permanent, eternal and indestructible. From the view point of modes (paryāyastikāya) it has production, existence and destruction. The doctrine of universe is explained by the six substances medium of motion (dharmāstikāya), medium of rest (adharmāstikāya), space (akāsāstikāya), matter (pudgalāstikāya), soul (jīvastikāya) and time
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