Contributed by Nalini Balbir
The mathematics of the universe is complicated and highly detailed, making descriptions and images of the universe very intricate, but mathematical principles are closely observed. Repetition is a major trait of the Jain universe, which is very clear in the middle world in particular. The middle world is circular and is constituted of concentric rings of continents separated by rings of oceans. Each continent is a duplicate of the central one, Jambū-dvīpa, which itself is a complex of mathematical proportions. Each landmass and ocean increases by a factor of two going outwards from the middle, although this is not always obvious from illustrations.
There are 90 continents and oceans in the middle world but many are merely names, with very few details in cosmological texts. There are some significant continents, however. Jambū-dvīpa, the first or central continent, is the most important and is at the heart of the area known as the 'Two and A Half Continents'. The 15th continent, Nandīśvara-dvīpa, is important since it is where the gods gather to celebrate. It is often described elaborately. Finally, Kuṇḍala-dvīpa, the 12th continent from the centre, is often called ‘Ring’ or Kuṇḍala after its geography.
This chart gives the names of the continents and oceans of the middle world, starting from the centre. It is based on Śvetāmbara sources. Details of the Digambara tradition can be found in Jainendra Siddhānta-kośa. A comprehensive scholarly survey of both sects' sources is Kirfel 1920.
Continent |
Ocean |
---|---|
1. Jambū-dvīpa |
2. Lavaṇa-samudra |
3. Dhātakīkhaṇḍa |
4. Kālodadhi |
5. Puṣkara-dvīpa |
6. Puṣkaroda |
7. Vāruṇīvara |
8. Vāruṇoda |
9. Kṣīravara |
10. Kṣīroda |
11. Ghṛtavara |
12. Ghṛtoda |
13. Kṣodavara |
14. Kṣododa |
15. Nandīśvara-dvīpa |
16. Nandīśvaroda |
17. Aruṇa-dvīpa |
18. Aruṇa ocean |
19. Aruṇavara |
20. Aruṇavarāvabhāsa ocean |
21. Kuṇḍala-dvīpa |
22. Kuṇḍala ocean |
23. Kuṇḍalavara-dvīpa |
24. Kuṇḍalavara ocean |
25. Kuṇḍalavarāvabhāsa-dvīpa |
26. Kuṇḍalavarāvabhāsa ocean |
27. Śaṅkha |
28. Śaṅkha ocean |
29. Śaṅkhavara |
30. Śaṅkhavara ocean |
31. Śaṅkhavarāvabhāsa |
32. Śaṅkhavarāvabhāsa |
33. Rucaka |
34. Rucaka ocean |
35. Rucakavara |
36. Rucakavara ocean |
37. Rucakavarāvabhāsa |
38. Rucakavarāvabhāsa ocean |
39. Hāra |
40. Hāra ocean |
41. Hāravara |
42. Hāravara ocean |
43. Hāravarāvabhāsa |
44. Hāravarāvabhāsa ocean |
45. Ardhahāra |
46. Ardhahāra ocean |
47. Ardhahāravara |
48. Ardhahāravara ocean |
49. Ardhahārāvabhāsa |
50. Ardhahārāvabhāsa ocean |
51. Kanakāvali |
52. Kanakāvali ocean |
53. Kanakāvalivara |
54. Kanakāvalivara ocean |
55. Kanakāvalivarāvabhāsa |
56. Kanakāvalivarāvabhāsa ocean |
57. Ratnāvali |
58. Ratnāvali ocean |
59. Ratnāvalivara |
60. Ratnāvalivara ocean |
61. Ratnāvalivarāvabhāsa |
62. Ratnāvalivarāvabhāsa ocean |
63. Muktāvali |
64. Muktāvali ocean |
65. Muktāvalivara |
66. Muktāvalivara ocean |
67. Muktāvalivarāvabhāsa |
68. Muktāvalivarāvabhāsa ocean |
69. Ājina |
70. Ājina ocean |
71. Ājinavara |
72. Ājinavara ocean |
73. Ājinavarāvabhāsa |
74. Ājinavarāvabhāsa ocean |
75. Sūrya |
76. Sūrya ocean |
77. Sūryavara |
78. Sūryavara ocean |
79. Sūryavarāvabhāsa |
80. Sūryavarāvabhāsa ocean |
81. Deva |
82. Deva ocean |
83. Nāga |
84. Nāga ocean |
85. Yakṣa |
86. Yakṣa ocean |
87. Bhūta |
88. Bhūta ocean |
89. Svayambhūramaṇa |
90. Svayambhūramaṇa ocean |
The first continent, Jambū-dvīpa, is the model for the other continents, which are its duplicates. Its name means ‘Rose-apple continent’, from a rose-apple tree in the Uttara-kuru region, at the north of Mount Meru. This ‘tree’ is in fact a rock formation that looks like a tree (Jaini in Granoff 2009: 83). At its centre is Mount Meru, the cosmic axis.
Jambū-dvīpa is the centrepiece of Aḍhāī-dvīpa, which means ‘Two and A Half Continents’ in Hindi. It is the only part of the universe where human beings live.
The Two and A Half Continents is comprised of:
Temple and terraces of Mount Meru
Image by British Library © CC0 1.0 (Creative Commons Public Domain)
The first continent, Jambū-dvīpa, plainly demonstrates the mathematical nature of the Jain universe. The original template for the other continents, which replicate it, the 'Rose-apple Continent' is formed of repetitive, often symmetrical, mathematical ratios of mountains, regions, lakes, rivers and so on.
Jambū-dvīpa is set within a rampart of diamonds, which is surrounded by a fence of jewels crowned by a high garland of lotuses made of gems.
In the centre of Jambū-dvīpa, normally yellow in pictures, is Mount Meru, the cosmic axis. It has three terraces, each smaller than the one below, all planted with parks and forests. A temple dedicated to the Jinas is at the top. Models of Mount Meru are often found in Jain temples and are objects of worship.
With commentary by Pārśva-candra. British Library. Add. 26374. Ratnaśekhara. 1769
Victoria and Albert Museum. IS 6565. Unknown author. 1844
With commentary by Dharmameru. British Library. Or. 13456. Śrīcandra. 1812
British Library. Or. 13294. Unknown author. 18th to 19th centuries