Words may be limited, but their emotions are infinite. That is the rule of the universe. Just like an ocean in a small pot, a brief visual can contain infinite joy and knowledge. Today, in Episode 55 of “Gagar Ma Sagar,” we explore the concept of Madhya Lok, the Middle World in Jain cosmology.
Science vs. Spiritual Knowledge
Before diving into Madhya Lok, I want to make a point: Modern science hasn’t revealed the existence of Devalok (heavenly realms) or Urdhva Lok (upper worlds), so I can explain them without scientific interference. The same goes for Adho Lok (lower worlds or hells), which we’ll cover tomorrow. Scientists dismiss hells, claiming they don’t exist, but I assure you, they do—and I will explain that convincingly.
Science says Earth is round, part of a galaxy, and filled with observable phenomena. I’m not here to argue that. Just set aside what science tells you for a moment. Clear your mind and consider this: Our Kevaljnani (omniscient) Lords spoke only truth. Jainism has deep, complete knowledge on every subject—more than any science could provide.
So why would Kevaljnani speak falsehoods? Science, on the other hand, has political interests, competitions, and motivations. For example, nations compete in vaccine development or space exploration—not purely for knowledge, but for power.
My request: Set your beliefs aside and open your mind to understand what Jain scriptures say about the structure of the universe, especially Madhya Lok.
The Structure of Madhya Lok (Middle World)
Madhya Lok is the central part of the universe. Its center point is Mount Meru. It spans one Rajlok in width and 1,800 Yojans in height (roughly 21.6 million kilometers wide and 21,600 km tall).
Mount Meru lies at the center, surrounded by countless concentric rings of islands (Dvipas) and oceans (Samudras) in alternating fashion, expanding outward like bangles. This region is the Manushya Kshetra (Human Zone), extending 4.5 million Yojans from Mount Meru—about 54 billion kilometers.
Outside this zone, there are only animals—gigantic creatures, even larger than dinosaurs, called Tiryanchas.
Only within this 4.5 million Yojan radius can humans be born. Above this, lies Siddha Shila, the realm of liberated souls. All souls that attain liberation rise directly from this zone—because only human beings from this specific Madhya Lok region can attain Moksha.
The 2.5 Continents (Adhai Dvip)
This human region is known as the Adhai Dvip, or 2.5 continents:
- Jambudvip
- Ghatiki Khand
- Half of Pushkar Dvip
We humans reside in Jambudvip, near Mount Meru, in a region called Bharat Kshetra to the south of Meru. This is our cosmic address.
Within this structure:
- Sun, Moon, stars, and planets revolve around Meru.
- Countless islands and oceans expand in size, alternating, doubling outward.
- Even if you filled Earth with grains and assigned one grain each to a Dvip and a Samudra, you’d still run out of grains before counting all the dvips and oceans in Madhya Lok.
Beings and Cities of Madhya Lok
Madhya Lok is home to:
- One-sensed to five-sensed beings, with or without blood, mind, or movement.
- Tiryanchas: From sky-flying animals, water-dwelling beings, amphibians, to crawling creatures and more.
- Manushyas (humans): Divided into Karma-bhumi and Akarmabhumi humans (those with or without sexual duality).
- 303 types of Samurchchim humans: Born from impure origins.
Also in Madhya Lok:
- Celestial beings (Jyotish devas) with cities and vehicles.
- Vyantar devas: 16 types, with their own cities.
- Ocean pits (Patalkalash): Hollow voids causing oceanic tides.
- Pilgrimage spots (Tirthas): Where celestial beings descend.
- Nandanvan and rivers like Ganga and Sita, flowing from Meru.
Mount Meru is the spiritual hub where celestial beings gather during the birth of a Tirthankar. There are 14,000 main rivers, and each has 14,000 tributaries. This cosmology is grander than anything we can grasp in 15 minutes.
Learning Jain Cosmology: Ganita Anuyog
Our Acharyas, including Amol Rishiji and other revered monks, have invested immense effort into documenting this knowledge in texts under Ganita Anuyog—the mathematical-exploratory branch of Jain scriptures.
Learning this gives you an accurate understanding of space and cosmology, more meaningful than speculative modern space research. Despite science spending billions, it cannot find water or life on other planets. No living being will be born elsewhere—and this Earth itself will perish one day.
Conclusion
What is the takeaway?
You and I—residents of Bharat Kshetra in the fifth Ara—are at the spiritual center of the universe. From here alone can one attain Moksha. This knowledge isn’t for argument or entertainment. It’s for awakening.
So rather than getting lost in scientific or political illusions, let us trust our omniscient Lords, respect Jain cosmology, and make the most of this rare human birth in Madhya Lok.
Let’s live with spiritual awareness, not worldly confusion.