Answer

In Jainism, the universe is described very differently from modern astronomy. Jain texts do not use the modern terms “solar system,” “galaxy,” or “Milky Way” in the scientific sense, but they do describe a vast, orderly cosmos with:

• Suns and moons
• Stars
• Planets and celestial bodies
• Many worlds and realms
• A fixed, finite universe called the Lokakash

Explanation

1) The Jain view of the universe

Jainism teaches that the universe is:

• beginningless and endless in time
• but finite in space
• not created by any God
• arranged according to natural laws of karma and matter

The universe is divided into three main parts:

• Urdhva Loka — upper world
• Madhya Loka — middle world
• Adho Loka — lower world

The heavenly bodies like the sun, moon, stars, and planets are placed in the Madhya Loka and related cosmic regions.

2) Sun, moon, stars, and planets

Jain scriptures describe:

• Surya — sun
• Chandra — moon
• Grahas — planets
• Nakshatras — stars and star groups

These are part of the cosmic order. They move in fixed paths and help in marking time, seasons, day, night, and celestial cycles.

3) About solar system

In modern science, a solar system means a star and the planets orbiting it. In Jain cosmology, there is not just one solar system for the whole universe. Rather, the cosmos contains many sun-like and moon-like luminous bodies arranged in the middle world.

4) About galaxy and Milky Way

Jainism does not describe the Milky Way as a single astronomical galaxy in modern scientific language. However, it does speak of a vast cosmic structure filled with innumerable beings, realms, and luminous bodies. So Jain cosmology is much broader in spiritual meaning than just one galaxy.

5) Spiritual meaning

The key Jain teaching is not only about the physical cosmos, but about the soul’s journey within it.

• The universe is orderly and law-based
• Every soul travels through countless births
• Liberation is possible by destroying karma
• The goal is to rise beyond the cycle of birth and death

Spiritual Understanding

Jain cosmology teaches humility.

When we look at the sun, moon, stars, and planets, Jainism reminds us that:

• the universe is विशाल and structured
• life is not random
• every soul has a place in this cosmic order
• true freedom comes not from exploring outer space, but from purifying the inner self

So, in Jain Dharma, the study of the cosmos is ultimately meant to help us understand the soul, karma, and liberation.

Takeaway

In simple words:

• Jainism accepts a vast universe with sun, moon, stars, and planets
• It does not explain them in modern scientific terms like “galaxy” or “solar system”
• The universe is finite, eternal, and uncreated
• The highest purpose of knowing the cosmos is to understand the soul’s path to liberation

If you want, I can also explain Jain cosmology diagrammatically in a very simple way.