Lok

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Lok" by Narayanlal Kachara, based on the provided pages:

Core Concept: The Universe (Lok) in Jainism

The book "Lok" by Narayanlal Kachara explains the Jain conception of the universe, referred to as the Lok. This universe is described as finite and having a specific, unchanging shape, situated within the infinite and formless expanse of Aloka (non-universe).

Shape and Structure of the Lok:

• Overall Shape: The Lok is depicted as having a "three-bowl" shape (trishravasampuṭa), formed by placing one bowl upright, another upside down, and a third upright on top of that. This shape is described as narrow at the bottom, wider in the middle, and then expanding at the top before narrowing again.
• Humanoid Analogy: The Lok is also compared to a standing human in a process of churning, with legs spread, hands on the waist, and the head reaching upwards.
  • The Adholok (Lower World) corresponds to the legs.
  • The Jyotishchakra (celestial wheel) is at the waist.
  • The Brahmalok is at the elbow.
  • The Siddhashila (Abode of Liberated Souls) is at the forehead mark.
• Dimensions:
  • The total height of the Lok is 14 rajus.
  • The width of the Lok is consistently 7 rajus across all its heights. This assertion is attributed as a significant contribution by Dhavalakara Acharya Virsena.
• Three Sections: The Lok is broadly divided into three parts:
  1. Adholok (Lower World): Extends up to "slightly less than seven rajus".
  2. Middle Loka (Middle World): One raju wide.
  3. Urdhvalok (Upper World): Extends up to the top. This section is described as being 1 raju wide at its base, 5 rajus wide in the middle (specifically at Brahmalok), and 1 raju wide at the top.
• Volume: The total volume of the Lok is calculated as 343 cubic rajus.
  • Adholok's volume: 196 cubic rajus.
  • Urdhvalok's volume: 147 cubic rajus.

The Aloka (Non-Universe):

• The Aloka is the region beyond the Lok. It is described as formless and infinite.
• Its shape is that of a hollow sphere (shushirgolak), with a central void.

The Three Wind Rings (Vatavalayas):

The entire Lok is encased by three concentric wind rings:

1. Ghanodadhi Vata valaya: The outermost ring, with a color similar to cow's urine. It forms the base of the Lok.
2. Ghanavata valaya: The middle ring, with a color similar to green gram.
3. Tanuvata valaya: The innermost ring, having various colors (according to some, five colors).

The thickness of these wind rings varies at different levels of the Lok.

The Region of Mobile Beings (Trasa Nadi):

• Located in the middle of the three Lok divisions, the Trasa Nadi (region of mobile beings) is a crucial element.
• It is 14 rajus high and 1 raju wide throughout.
• Only mobile beings (trasa jivas) reside within the Trasa Nadi. Outside this region, only immobile beings (sthavara jivas) exist.
• A closer examination reveals the Trasa Nadi to be effectively 13 rajus high, as the lowest part of the seventh hell and the eighth earth above the Sarvarthasiddhi plane are inhabited only by immobile beings.

Divisions of the Lok in Detail:

• Adholok (Lower World):

  • Consists of seven hellish planes (prithvis): Ratnaprabha, Sharkara prabha, Balukaprabha, Pankaprabha, Dhoomprabha, Tamahprabha, and Mahatamaprabha.
  • These planes are separated by a distance of 1 raju each.
  • The thickness of each hellish plane varies, with Ratnaprabha being the thickest (divided into Khar, Pank, and Abbahul parts).
  • Different types of hellish beings (narakis) and lower deities (bhavanavasi and vyantara) reside in these planes.

• Urdhvalok (Upper World):

  • This section begins from the base of Mount Meru up to the Aloka.
  • It has a height of 7 rajus.
  • Only Vaimanika deities (celestial beings residing in aerial vehicles) inhabit the Urdhvalok.
  • It comprises 16 heavens (swargas), arranged in eight pairs (yugals).
  • Above these heavens are nine Graiveyak regions, nine Anudisha regions, and five Anuttara planes (including Sarvarthasiddhi).
  • The eighth earth, known as Ishat Pragbhara, exists above the Sarvarthasiddhi plane.
  • The abode of liberated souls (Siddhashila) is located at the very top, within the Tanuvata valaya.

• Middle Loka (Middle World):

  • Contains the continents (dvipas) and oceans (samudras).
  • Starts with Jambudvipa, surrounded by the Lavan Sea, then Dhatikhanda island, Pushkaravar Sea, and so on, in concentric rings.
  • These island-oceans are of increasing size, with each subsequent one being twice the size of the preceding one.
  • The innermost continent is Jambudvipa, shaped like a circular plate.
  • Adhai Dweepa (Two and a Half Continents): This refers to Jambudvipa, Dhatikhanda, and the eastern half of Pushkarvara. Humans reside only in this region.
  • Bharata and Airavata regions: These are the southern and northern ends of Jambudvipa, respectively, divided into six segments by the Vijayardha mountain range.
  • Videha region: Located in the middle, it's a region of constant spiritual effort.
  • Bhoga Bhumi (Pleasure Lands): Hamvat, Harivarsha, Hairanyavat, Rammyaka, Uttar Kuru, and Dev Kuru are classified as Bhoga Bhumis, where beings enjoy pleasures derived from wish-fulfilling trees (kalpavriksha). Uttar Kuru and Dev Kuru are the highest.

Time Cycles (Kaal Chakra):

• The Bharata and Airavata regions experience cyclical changes through Utsarpini (ascending cycle) and Avasarpini (descending cycle), each with six stages (Avasarpini: Sukshma-Sukshma, Sukshma, Sukshma-Dukhma, Dukhma-Sukshma, Dukhma, Ati-Dukhma).
• The current era is the Hunda-Avasarpini.
• During Avasarpini, human lifespan, height, and other attributes decrease; during Utsarpini, they increase.
• Other regions, like Bhoga Bhumis, experience a more stable or specific time cycle. For instance, Uttara Kuru and Deva Kuru are like the first stage of Avasarpini.

Deities (Devas):

The text categorizes deities into four types:

1. Bhavanavasi: Residential deities.
2. Vyanatara: Intermediate deities.
3. Jyotishka: Celestial bodies (sun, moon, stars).
4. Vaimanika: Deities residing in celestial vehicles.

Each type has further sub-classifications. The Jyotishka devas are responsible for defining time units like days and nights through their movements. Vaimanika devas are further divided into Kalpopanna (those within the 16 heavens) and Kalpateet (those above the 16 heavens). The text details the hierarchy and characteristics of these celestial beings.

Mount Meru:

• The text describes Mount Meru (Sudharshana Meru) as a central and sacred mountain.
• Its dimensions, including depth, base diameter, circumference, and height, are provided.
• It is adorned with three forests: Nandanvana, Saumanavana, and Pandukavana.

Key Differences Between Traditions:

The text acknowledges that the mathematical details regarding the Lok's dimensions and volume differ between the Digambara and Shvetambara traditions. The constant width of 7 rajus and the resulting volume of 343 cubic rajus are highlighted as contributions of the Digambara scholar Acharya Virsena, based on ancient verses.

Overall, "Lok" by Narayanlal Kachara provides a detailed exposition of the Jain cosmology, its intricate structure, the inhabitants of various realms, and the cyclical nature of time within this framework.