page_title: Jain cosmology
section_title: Madhya Loka, the middle world
hierarchical_section_title: Jain cosmology / Universe and its structure / Madhya Loka, the middle world
caption_attribution_description: English: [1] MS in Jain Maharastri Prakrit and Sanskrit on paper, Gujerat or Rajastan, West India, 17th c., 35 ff., 11x25 cm, single column, (8x22 cm), 7 lines in Jain Devanagari book script, punctuation and verses in red, red and yellow margin lines, 33 high quality miniatures, maps and diagrams in colours. The text is a much studied short summary of the fundamentals of Jaina cosmography and geography, commonly known as the Sangrahaninirayana, Laghusangrahani, Sangrahaniratna or Trailokyadipika, the Illuminating Gloss on the Tripartite World. The diagrams explain why the duplicate sun and moon orbiting the central mountain Merle according to Jaina cosmographers, are never observed simultaneously. Sricandra (12-13th c.) monk of the Harsapuriya Gaccha of Ivetambara sect, and a pupil of Maladharin Hemacandra. The original text as published by the DLP with the commentary of Devabhadra, a disciple of the author, consists of 274 mnemonic gathas (stanzas), divided into 7 chapters.
context_page_description: Jain cosmology is the description of the shape and functioning of the Universe and its constituents according to Jainism. Jain cosmology considers the universe as an uncreated entity that has existed since infinity with neither beginning nor end. Jain texts describe the shape of the universe as similar to a man standing with legs apart and arm resting on his waist. This Universe, according to Jainism, is broad at the top, narrow at the middle and once again becomes broad at the bottom.
context_section_description: Madhya Loka consists of 900 yojans above and 900 yojans below earth surface. It is inhabited by:
  Jyotishka devas (luminous gods) – 790 to 900 yojans above earth
  Humans, Tiryanch (Animals, birds, plants) on the surface
  Vyantar devas (Intermediary gods) – 100 yojan below the ground level
  Madhyaloka consists of many continent-islands surrounded by oceans, first eight whose names are:
  Mount Meru (also Sumeru) is at the centre of the world surrounded by Jambūdvīpa, in form of a circle forming a diameter of 100,000 yojans. There are two sets of sun, moon and stars revolving around Mount Meru; while one set works, the other set rests behind the Mount Meru.
  Jambūdvīpa continent has 6 mighty mountains, dividing the continent into 7 zones (Ksetra). The names of these zones are:
  Bharat Kshetra
  Mahavideh Kshetra
  Airavat Kshetra
  Ramyak Kshetra
  Hiranya vant Kshetra
  Hemvant Kshetra
  Hari Varsh Kshetra
  The three zones i.e. Bharat Kshetra, Mahavideh Kshetra and Airavat Kshetra are also known as Karma bhoomi because practice of austerities and liberation is possible and the Tirthankaras preach the Jain doctrine. The other four zones, Ramyak, Hairanyvat Kshetra, Haimava Kshetra and Hari Kshetra are known as akarmabhoomi or bhogbhumi as humans live a sinless life of pleasure and no religion or liberation is possible.
  Nandishvara Dvipa is not the edge of cosmos, but it is beyond the reach of humans. Humans can reside only on Jambudvipa, Dhatatikhanda Dvipa, and the inner half of Pushkara Dvipa.
caption: Work of Art showing maps and diagrams as per Jain Cosmography from 17th century CE Manuscript of 12th century Jain text Sankhitta Sangheyan
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