A Jaina View of Cosmos – a Comparative Study
Summary
**Summary of "A Jaina View of Cosmos – a Comparative Study"** The Jaina cosmology centers on **Jambu-dvipa**, a disc-shaped continent at the universe's heart, divided into seven regions (*kgetras*) by six mountain ranges. These include **Bharatavarsa** (holy land for spiritual ascent), **Haimavatavarsa** (gold-rich), and **Videha** (subdivided into eastern and western zones). The central **Meru Mountain** anchors the system, with rivers like the Ganga and Sindhu originating from lakes at mountain bases. Jambu-dvipa is surrounded by the **Lavana Samudra** (salt ocean), with **Antardvipas** (islands hosting unique beings) extending into the ocean. Jain geography mirrors the *Vistupurana*'s Hindu framework, though differences exist. For instance, Jaina texts describe **Bharatavarsa** as crescent-shaped, bounded by mountains and seas, while Hindu accounts emphasize different mountain ranges. The Jaina view also highlights **Manusottara-parvata**, marking the edge of human habitation on **Puskara-dvipa**, another island with mirrored geographic features. Human society is divided into **Aryas** (sixfold by region, caste, etc.) and **Mlecchas** (non-Aryans). Only **karma-bhumis** (five of the 15 regions in Puskara-dvipa) support Tirthankaras (spiritual teachers). The rest are **akarma-bhumis**, reserved for worldly life. The study contrasts ancient Jaina cosmology with modern scientific shifts,
Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.
Conclusion
This comparative essay highlights that cosmology is shaped by cultural values as much as by observation. Jaina cosmography presents a symbolic universe designed to teach ethical lessons, whereas modern astronomy offers quantitative descriptions of physical space. By tracing the shift from geocentric to heliocentric and ultimately acentric models. He concludes that appreciating both perspectives fosters humility: scientific discoveries reveal the vastness of the cosmos, and Jaina narratives remind us of the moral purpose of existence. Understanding multiple cosmological models thus deepens our comprehension of reality.