Jambudwip Ek Adhyayan

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Jambudwip Ek Adhyayan" by Ayika Gyanmati Mataji, focusing on the Jain cosmological structure:

Book Title: Jambudwip Ek Adhyayan (A Study of Jambudwipa) Author: Ayika Gyanmati Mataji

This work, written from a Jain perspective, delves into the detailed cosmological structure of the universe as described in Jain scriptures. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the arrangement of islands, oceans, mountains, continents, and the central Mount Meru.

Key Concepts and Descriptions:

• The Three Worlds (Trilok): The text begins by asserting that the three worlds are eternal and uncreated, with no divine creator. They consist of:

  • Adholok (Lower World): Extending seven rajju downwards from the central point.
  • Urdhvalok (Upper World): Extending seven rajju upwards from the central point.
  • Madhyalok (Middle World): Located in the center, approximately 99,040 yojans high and one rajju wide. This is where humans and beings of various realms reside.

• Jambudwipa (The Jambu Continent):

  • Located at the very center of the Madhyalok, it is a circular continent with a diameter of 100,000 yojans.
  • Mount Meru: Situated precisely in the center of Jambudwipa, it is a colossal mountain, 140,000 yojans high. Its foundation is 1,000 yojans deep within the earth.
  • Surrounding Oceans: Jambudwipa is encircled by the Lavana Samudra (Salt Sea), twice its size (200,000 yojans diameter). This is followed by Dhatakikhanda Dwipa (400,000 yojans), then Kalodadhi Samudra (800,000 yojans), and then Pushkara Dwipa (1,600,000 yojans), and so on, in an expanding series of islands and oceans.

• The "Half-Island" Concept (Dhai Dwipa):

  • The Manushottara Parvat (Man-Limit Mountain), a ring-like mountain, divides Pushkara Dwipa into two halves.
  • The eastern half of Pushkara Dwipa, similar to Dhatakikhanda, contains Mount Meru, kula-mountains, Bharata etc., and is the boundary for human habitation.
  • Beyond Manushottara Parvat, only various celestial beings and lower life forms reside.
  • Thus, Jambudwipa, Dhatakikhanda, and half of Pushkara Dwipa together constitute the Dhai Dwipa (Two and a Half Islands), which is the only region where humans are born and can achieve liberation through their karma.

• The Concept of Yojan and Measurement:

  • The text explains the Jain system of measurement starting from the smallest particle (anu-paramanu) and progressively defining units like truti-renu, rath-renu, liksha, ju, jaw, and finally angul.
  • Three Types of Angul:
    • Utsedhangul: Derived from the measurements of body parts like hair, lice, etc., used for measuring height and celestial abodes.
    • Pramanangul: 500 utsedhangul, used for measuring continents, oceans, mountains, and landforms.
    • Atmanangul: Based on the finger width of the inhabitants of specific regions and times, used for measuring vessels, instruments, cities, and gardens.
  • Yojan: Defined as four utsedhangul kosa (kos), where one kosa is 2000 dhanush. A laghu-yojan is 500 yojan. A mahayojan is 2000 kosa. The text discusses the conversion of these units into modern measurements (miles/yards) but emphasizes the approximate nature of such conversions and the importance of faith in scriptural measurements.

• Continents and Fields (Kshetra):

  • Jambudwipa is divided into seven fields by six kulaparvatas (major mountains): Himavan, Mahimavan, Nishadha, Nila, Rukmi, and Shikari.
  • These fields are: Bharata, Hemavata, Hari, Videha, Ramya, Hairanyavata, and Airavata.
  • Each of these fields, except Videha, is divided into six khandas (sections) by rivers originating from the sarovaras (lakes) on the kulaparvatas.
  • The central section of Bharata and Airavata, towards the sea, is called the Arya Khanda (Noble Section), where humans reside. The other five sections are Mleccha Khandas (Uncivilized Sections).
  • Videha Kshetra: This central field is unique. It is bisected by Mount Meru, and further divided by the Sita and Sitoda rivers, resulting in 32 subdivisions. These regions are considered nitya karmabhumi (eternal lands of action), where the time period is perpetually the beginning of the fourth age, and specific Tirthankaras reside.
  • Bhoga Bhumi: Hemavata and Hairanyavata are jaghanya bhoga bhumi (lower lands of enjoyment), while Hari and Ramya are madhyama bhoga bhumi (middle lands of enjoyment). Devakuru and Uttarakuru, north and south of Mount Meru respectively, are uttama bhoga bhumi (highest lands of enjoyment), characterized by abundance and lack of strenuous activity.

• Mount Meru and its Significance:

  • The text describes the four great forests (Vanas) on Mount Meru: Bhadrasala, Nandan, Somanasa, and Panduka.
  • At the four cardinal directions and four intermediate directions of these forests are Chaitralayas (temples).
  • On the Panduka forest are four auspicious slabs: Panduka, Pandukambala, Rakta, and Raktakambala. These are used for the ceremonial consecration (janmabhishek) of Tirthankaras born in Bharata, Western Videha, Eastern Videha, and Airavata respectively.
  • Mount Meru is the site of the grand birth ceremonies of all Tirthankaras by the celestial beings, making it the most sacred mountain.
  • The text estimates the distance of this Mount Meru from the current world to be approximately 20 crore miles, located in the Videha region.

• Jambu Tree and Shalmali Tree:

  • In Devakuru and Uttarakuru, there are magnificent, self-created trees named Jambu (Jambudwipa's namesake) and Shalmali, adorned with jewels and emitting fragrance. Temples are located on their branches.

• Gobble-Dwar (Gateways):

  • Jambudwipa has four grand gateways in the cardinal directions: Vijaya, Vaijayanta, Jayanta, and Aparajita.

• Uncreated Temples (Akritrim Jin Chaityalayas):

  • Jambudwipa hosts seventy-eight uncreated temples dedicated to Jinanatha, distributed across Mount Meru, kula-mountains, Vaksha mountains, Gajadanta mountains, and near the Jambu and Shalmali trees.

• The Arya Khanda of Bharata:

  • The text provides approximate dimensions of the Bharata field and its Arya Khanda, placing the city of Ayodhya at its center. It also specifies the boundaries of the Arya Khanda with the rivers Ganga and Sindhu, and the Salt Sea and Vijaya mountain.
  • It is stated that the entire current world as we know it is within this Arya Khanda of Bharata. The Ganga, Sindhu, and other geographical features mentioned in modern geography are considered created and different from the uncreated ones described in scriptures.

• Debunking Earth's Rotation (Bhubhraman Khandan):

  • A significant portion of the text is dedicated to refuting the modern scientific concept of a rotating, spherical Earth.
  • The author argues that if the Earth were rotating:
    • Water in oceans, rivers, and lakes could not remain stationary.
    • Gravity would not hold objects in place, and things would be flung off.
    • The presence of water and land masses together on a spinning sphere is illogical.
    • A strong "driving wind" required to rotate the Earth would disrupt any "holding wind" that keeps water in place.
    • The argument of gravitational attraction is also countered, as gravity would not prevent water from falling off a tilted, spinning sphere.
  • The Jain view is that the Earth is flat, stable, and unmoving, and the celestial bodies revolve around Mount Meru.

Overall Purpose:

The book aims to educate Jain followers about the meticulously detailed cosmological structure as understood within Jainism. It emphasizes the importance of faith in scriptural descriptions and provides a framework for meditating on the universe as part of spiritual practice. It also seeks to address and counter modern scientific theories that contradict the Jain cosmological model, asserting the superiority and accuracy of the ancient scriptures.