According to Jainism, the universe (lok) is eternal and uncreated. It has no beginning or end; it was never created and will never be destroyed. The universe operates according to its own natural laws and cycles, without the need for a creator or destroyer.

Jainism teaches that souls (jivas) have also existed eternally, and that there is no first human or first living being. Souls take birth in various forms—heavenly, human, animal, and hellish—according to their accumulated karma. The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) is beginningless and endless.

Therefore, in Jain philosophy:

• The universe did not "start"; it has always existed.
• There was no first human; humans have always existed as part of the endless cycle of birth and rebirth.
• All living beings, including humans, are subject to this eternal cycle as determined by their karma.

This view is distinctly different from creationist perspectives found in some other religions and is central to Jain cosmology.