In Jainism, there is no single “beginning of the universe.” The universe (loka) is eternal and without a creator. It has always existed and will always continue, in endless cycles.

Key points:

• The universe is made of two realities: Jiva (conscious beings) and Ajiva (non‑living matter, including karmic matter).
• Time is cyclical, not linear. It moves through repeating eras called Utsarpini (ascending half of the cycle) and Avsarpini (descending half). Each half contains six sub-ages, with conditions changing from era to era (youthful, prosperous to aging, deteriorating, and eventually renewed).
• There is no first cause or creation event. Beings, worlds, and elements arise and persist according to the karmic laws, not by a god’s act of creation.
• The cycle continues eternally, and individual souls migrate through different realms (heavens, human world, animal/planta realms, hell) based on karma, until liberation (moksha) is attained.

If you’d like, I can point out where these ideas are discussed in Jain scriptures and explain any particular term (like jiva, ajiva, or utsarpini) in more detail.