Jain Cosmology Upper world | Urdhva Loka

The Upper World is the realm of liberated souls (Siddhas) and heavenly beings (Devas). It is shaped like a drum (mridanga).

The Ultimate Summit: Siddhashilā

At the very top of the Urdhva Loka, beyond the Kalpātīta heavens, lies the permanent abode of liberated souls.

Characteristics of Siddhashilā:

• Location: Situated at the crest of the universe (Loka-ākāsha), right before the boundary of non-universe (Aloka-ākāsha).
• Physical Form: A crescent-shaped, shining white canopy spanning 4.5 million Yojanas (exactly matching the size of the Manushya Kshetra / human region below).
• Inhabitants: The Siddhas—souls entirely free from the 8 types of Karma. They exist in a state of infinite knowledge (Ananta Jnana), infinite perception, and eternal bliss.
• Limitation: Souls cannot move past this boundary into Aloka because Dharmastikaya (the medium of motion) does not exist beyond the Loka.

Devlok

Classification 1: By Spiritual/Hierarchical Status

Heavenly beings are classified based on their spiritual progression, lifespan, and systemic hierarchy.

1. Kalpabhavana Devas (Inhabiting the Kalpas)

These gods live in structured, ritualistic societies with a defined hierarchy (containing Kings/Indras, ministers, armies, and subjects).

• Structure: Consists of 16 Kalpas (Heavens) in Digambara tradition / 12 Kalpas in Shvetambara tradition, arranged in pairs or tiers.

2. Kalpātīta Devas (Beyond the Kalpas)

These gods are spiritually advanced, physically detached, and do not have a social hierarchy (there are no Indras or servants; all are equal, like kings).

• Graiveyakas: 9 heavens located above the 16th Kalpa, situated like a necklace around the neck of the universe.

• Anuttaras: 5 supreme heavens (Vijaya, Vaijayanta, Jayanta, Aparajita, and Sarvarthasiddhi). Inhabitants here are Ahamindra (self-rulers) and are bound to achieve Moksha in 1 or 2 births.

Classification 2: By Geography (The 16/12 Kalpas)

The heavens are stacked vertically above Mount Meru. Here is the canonical breakdown of the Kalpas:

Jain Cosmology Middle World / Madhyaloka

Refer to the video in link
(Trigger - Tirthankar charitra ep1)

Classification 1: By Human-Inhabitable Regions (Manuṣya Kṣetra)

There are 101 Manuṣya Kṣetras.

1. Karmabhūmi

15 Regions where:

• Tirthankaras appear.
• Asceticism is possible.
• Moksha-mārga can be practiced.
• Humans earn karma through effort in some areas and aras

So there are times in Bharata and Airavat karma bhumi when there is no dharm, look up Kaal Chakra and Time units#Six Aras (Epochs) in Each Half-Cycle

Bharata Kshetra

• 5 Regions across Dwips
• Subject to Avasarpiṇī and Utsarpiṇī.
• We live in one of these.

Airavat Kshetra

• 5 Regions across Dwips
• Similar to Bharata.
• Subject to Avasarpiṇī and Utsarpiṇī.

Mahavideha Kshetra

• 5 Regions across Dwips
• Perpetually suitable for Dharma.
• Tirthankaras are always present somewhere.
• Not subject to the same Kaal Chakra and Time units#Six Aras (Epochs) in Each Half-Cycle fluctuations as Bharata and Airāvata.

Total = 15

2. Bhogabhumi (Akarmabhumi)

30 Regions where:

• Life is effortless.
• Food and necessities arise naturally.
• No severe austerities.
• No Tirthankaras appear.
• Moksha is not attained there.

Types occurring throughout the cosmos

Each cosmological arrangement contains 10 such regions.
Across the three relevant continental systems:
10 × 3 = 30 Bhogabhūmis

• Here Yugaliks reside

UttarKuru and Devakuru

source - https://youtu.be/ZreyoW3yXgs?list=PLi3vTa_oBFFdA7QVTJQIq6nqCcGH-z9l7&t=1837

3. Antaradvīpas

Smaller islands between continents and oceans.
56 Regions Characteristics:

• Human inhabitants exist.
• Distinct physical characteristics.
• Separate from both Karmabhūmi and Bhogabhūmi classifications.

Total = 56

Total Human Regions

Classification 2: By Geography (Dvīpa-Samudra Structure)

This is a different classification from the one above.

The Middle World consists of alternating continents and oceans arranged concentrically around Mount Meru.

Central Region

Jambūdvīpa

Contains seven major regions:

1. Bharata
2. Haimavata
3. Hari
4. Videha
5. Ramyaka
6. Hairaṇyavata
7. Airāvata

These are separated by mountain ranges.

The central Videha region contains the Mahāvideha areas.

Beyond Jambūdvīpa

Alternating rings continue outward:

1. Jambūdvīpa
2. Lavaṇa Samudra
3. Dhātakīkhaṇḍa
4. Kālodadhi
5. Puṣkaradvīpa
6. Puṣkaroda Ocean
7. Further concentric rings ...

The pattern continues outward for enormous distances.
mahavidaeh spreads across JambuDwip (1L yojan width) 2 in Dhātakīkhaṇḍa(4 L yojan) and Puṣkaradvīpa(8L yojan)

Classification 3: By Spiritual Conditions

This is often the most useful classification for understanding Jain doctrine.

Regions with Tirthankaras

• 5 Bharata Kṣetras (during suitable Aras)
• 5 Airāvata Kṣetras (during suitable Aras)
• 5 Mahāvideha Kṣetras (continuously)

Regions with Avasarpiṇī / Utsarpiṇī

Only:

• 5 Bharata Kṣetras
• 5 Airāvata Kṣetras

Regions where Dharma is Always Available

• Mahāvideha Kṣetras

Regions where Dharma is Not Practiced

• Bhogabhūmis
• Most Antaradvīpas

Jain Cosmology: Lower World (Adho Loka)

The Lower World consists of seven hellish layers (Narakas), which get progressively darker, colder/hotter, and more painful as they go deeper. It is shaped like a pyramid or an inverted cone.

Classification 1: The Seven Earths (Prithvis)

The Lower World is structured into 7 distinct horizontal layers. Each layer contains an internal hellish ecosystem (Naraka).

Classification 2: By Ecosystem and Inhabitants

1. Naraki (Hellish Beings)

• Birth: They are born by Upapāda (instantaneous manifestation in special crucibles/cells) rather than womb birth.
• Environment: The upper hells suffer from extreme, scorching heat, while the lowest hells suffer from unyielding, bitter cold.
• Sufferings: They possess Vaikriya Sharira (fluid bodies) meaning they can be chopped, crushed, or mutilated, but their body parts instantly fuse back together to resume suffering. They cannot commit suicide to escape.

2. Paramādhāmi Devas (Demonic Tormentors)

• Crucial nuance: These are actually low-grade Asura gods belonging to the Bhavanavati class.
• They inhabit only the first three hells.
• Their function is to instigate and brutally torture the hellish beings (Narakis) for personal amusement, reminding them of past bad karmas.

Classification 3: The Supporting Atmospheres (Vālayas)

The entire Adho Loka (and the universe itself) does not rest on any physical matter but is suspended in space, cushioned by three concentric layers of dense rings of air/vapor:

1. Ghanodadhi Vālaya: Thick water-vapour layer.
2. Ghana Vālaya: Thick, dense air layer.
3. Tanu Vālaya: Thin, rarefied air layer transitioning into the vacuum of Aloka.