Aapni Sachi Bhugol

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Aapni Sachi Bhugol" (Our True Geography) by Ashoksagarsuri, based on the provided pages:

Overview:

"Aapni Sachi Bhugol" is a book that challenges the prevailing modern scientific understanding of geography and astronomy, particularly the concepts of a spherical, rotating Earth, and the moon landing. It presents an alternative perspective, deeply rooted in Jain cosmology and philosophy, arguing for a flat, stationary Earth and a different model for the movements of the sun and moon. The book aims to reconcile ancient Jain scriptures with contemporary observations, often critiquing modern science as flawed or based on incomplete data and propaganda.

Author and Context:

The book is attributed to Ashoksagarsuri, who is presented as a successor to the significant Jain scholar and researcher, Abhay sagarsuri M.S. The publication is by Jambudvi Vignyan Research Centre and promoted by Jambudvi Vardhaman Jain Pedhi, Palitana. The book is intended as an educational resource for Jain Pathshalas.

Key Arguments and Themes:

1. Rejection of a Spherical Earth:

   • Observation vs. Theory: The book consistently emphasizes direct observation and everyday experience over scientific theories. It argues that common sense and visible phenomena contradict the idea of a spherical Earth.
   • Ship at Sea Example: The visible appearance of a ship at sea, where the top appears first, is reinterpreted. The authors argue that powerful binoculars reveal the entire ship, suggesting the phenomenon is due to atmospheric conditions or line of sight, not Earth's curvature. They even offer a cash prize for anyone who can prove Earth's curvature.
   • Railroad Tracks: The apparent convergence of parallel railroad tracks in the distance is explained as a limitation of human vision, not Earth's curvature.
   • Suez Canal and Great Wall of China: The successful construction of the Suez Canal and the Great Wall of China is cited as evidence that these massive structures were built assuming a flat Earth. Historical engineering practices are presented as favoring a flat-Earth model.
   • Captain Ross's South Pole Journey: Captain J. Ross's expedition is used to argue that traveling in one direction for thousands of miles did not lead back to the starting point as expected on a spherical Earth, implying a vastly larger, non-spherical structure.
   • Bermuda Triangle and North Pole: The mysterious disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle and the challenges faced by scientists at the North Pole are presented as evidence that modern science's understanding of the Earth and its regions is incomplete and potentially flawed.
   • American Survey Company Report: A report from an American survey company is cited to show that longitude lines converge differently at the North Pole and equator, suggesting a dome-like or mound-like shape of the Earth rather than a sphere.
   • North-South Circumnavigation Impossibility: Correspondence with American companies reveals that circumnavigating the Earth from North to South and back is deemed impossible, further questioning the spherical model.
   • Einstein's View: Albert Einstein is quoted as saying human geographical and astronomical knowledge is incomplete and relative.

2. Rejection of Earth's Rotation:

   • Analogy of Stationary Objects: Just as a bucket or glass cannot spin like a top or ball, the book argues that non-spherical objects cannot rotate.
   • Impact of Rotation: The immense speeds attributed to Earth's rotation (over 1000 mph on its axis, much higher around the sun) are questioned, asking how humans, mountains, and rivers could remain stable. Earthquakes are cited as minor disturbances, making the idea of such rapid rotation seem implausible for maintaining stability.
   • Helicopter Analogy: The idea of staying stationary in a helicopter while the Earth rotates beneath it to reach America is presented as a logical consequence of rotation, but is dismissed as never happening in reality, implying Earth does not rotate.
   • Wind Direction: The argument is made that if Earth rotates west to east, winds should primarily come from the east. The observed variability of wind direction contradicts this, supporting a stationary Earth.
   • Polaris (Pole Star): The unchanging position of Polaris is used as a key argument. If the Earth were rotating and revolving, Polaris should appear to shift position throughout the year. Its constant position indicates a stationary Earth.
   • Bird's Flight: Birds returning to their nests effortlessly is questioned if the Earth were rotating at high speeds, as their nests would seemingly be in different locations.

3. Alternative Explanations for Celestial Phenomena:

   • Day and Night: Day and night are explained not by Earth's rotation, but by the localized movement of the sun across the vast, flat surface of Jambudveep. The sun is described as a relatively small entity moving in a circular path, illuminating different parts of the Earth as it travels.
   • Sun and Moon: The sun is depicted as a "plane of jewels" powered by inherent karma, not by nuclear fusion. Similarly, the moon is described as a self-luminous body made of jewels. Their light and heat are due to their inherent nature, not reflection or nuclear processes. The book argues that their different light qualities (sun's brightness vs. moon's coolness) prove they are not mere reflectors of the same light source.
   • Tides: Tides are attributed not to the moon's gravity, but to the movement of "patala kalash" (underworld pots) filled with gas and water in the "Lavana Samudra" (salt ocean) outside Jambudveep. The Caspian Sea, where tides don't occur despite the moon's presence, is cited as evidence against the lunar theory of tides.
   • Eclipses: The book refers to ancient Jain calculations for eclipses, describing them as caused by "eternal Rahu" and "perpetual Rahu" – possibly referring to entities or cosmic principles within the Jain model, rather than just planetary alignments.

4. Moon Landing Hoax:

   • Inconsistent Data: The book highlights discrepancies in reported distances to the moon and the speed of spacecraft, questioning the validity of the moon landing.
   • Scientific Inconsistencies: Issues like frost on the Apollo spacecraft windows, the condition of the moon's surface (mud vs. extreme heat), and photographic anomalies (e.g., absence of shadows, flags appearing to wave) are presented as evidence of fabrication.
   • Witness Testimony: Statements from scientists like Bill Kaysing ("We Never Went to the Moon") and others are used to support the claim that the moon landing was staged.
   • Propaganda: The moon landing is characterized as a massive deception and propaganda effort by America.

5. Jain Cosmology:

   • Jambudveep: The central concept is Jambudveep, described as a vast, flat, disc-like continent within a larger cosmology. The book provides detailed descriptions of its structure, dimensions, surrounding oceans (like Lavana Samudra), mountains (like Meru Parvat), and regions (like Bharat Kshetra, Mahavideh Kshetra).
   • Fourteen Rajlok: The universe is understood as comprising fourteen "Rajlok" (realms or layers), divided into Adholok (lower realms), Madhyalok (middle realm where humans reside), and Urdhvalok (upper realms). The Madhyalok, containing Jambudveep and other continents and oceans, is described as being finite, while the Alokaakash (non-loka realms) is infinite space.
   • Human Existence: Humans primarily inhabit "Adhai Dveep" (two and a half continents) within the Madhyalok, with Jambudveep being the central and most important continent.
   • Ancient Knowledge: The book champions the accuracy of ancient Jain scriptures and their detailed cosmological descriptions, contrasting them with what it considers flawed modern scientific theories. It suggests that ancient Indian scientists possessed profound knowledge of the universe.

Overall Tone and Purpose:

The book is presented with a strong conviction in the truth of Jain cosmological teachings. It aims to awaken readers to what it considers the "true geography" and expose what it views as deception in modern science. The author encourages critical thinking and questioning established scientific narratives, urging readers to rely on direct observation and ancient wisdom. The book is a testament to the Jain tradition of preserving and reinterpreting its unique cosmological framework in response to changing intellectual landscapes.