Answer

Jain scriptures describe the universe as eternal, uncreated, beginningless, and endless. It was not created by any God, nor will it ever be destroyed completely. It exists according to its own natural laws.

In Jain cosmology, the universe is called Loka, and beyond it is Aloka.

• Loka means the inhabited universe, where souls, matter, motion, rest, space, and time function.
• Aloka means infinite empty space beyond the universe, where only space exists and no souls or matter exist.

The Jain universe is divided into three main regions:

• Ūrdhva Loka – Upper world or heavenly realms
• Madhya Loka – Middle world where humans, animals, and plants live
• Adho Loka – Lower world or hellish realms

At the very top of Loka is Siddha Śilā, the abode of liberated souls called Siddhas.

Explanation

Jain cosmology is very detailed and is explained in Jain scriptures such as the Āgamas and later Jain cosmological texts. It explains the structure of existence, the journey of the soul, and the different realms where living beings are born according to karma.

1. Loka and Aloka

Jain Dharma teaches that reality consists of six eternal substances called Dravyas:

• Jīva – Soul or living substance
• Pudgala – Matter
• Dharma Dravya – Medium of motion
• Adharma Dravya – Medium of rest
• Ākāśa – Space
• Kāla – Time

These substances exist in Loka. Outside Loka is Aloka, where only space exists. Since there is no medium of motion there, souls and matter cannot move into Aloka.

2. Shape of the Universe

Jain scriptures describe the shape of Loka as somewhat like a standing human figure with hands on the waist:

• Narrow at the bottom
• Broad in the middle
• Narrow again near the upper region
• Broad at the very top region

This symbolic form represents the structured arrangement of different worlds and realms.

3. Adho Loka – Lower World

The lower world contains the hellish realms, known as Naraka. Jain tradition describes seven levels of hell. Beings are born there due to intense negative karmas such as violence, cruelty, deceit, and extreme attachment.

These births are not eternal punishment. They last only until the relevant karma is exhausted. After that, the soul takes another birth according to its remaining karma.

4. Madhya Loka – Middle World

Madhya Loka is the middle region of the universe. It is especially important because liberation is possible only from human birth in Madhya Loka.

It includes continents, oceans, humans, animals, plants, and many types of living beings. According to Jain cosmology, our world is located in Jambūdvīpa, one of the central regions of Madhya Loka.

The human realm is spiritually important because only human beings have the right combination of intelligence, discipline, and opportunity to practice the path of liberation.

5. Ūrdhva Loka – Upper World

Ūrdhva Loka contains heavenly realms where celestial beings, called Devas, are born due to punya karma, or meritorious karmas.

However, Jain Dharma teaches that heaven is not liberation. Heavenly beings still have attachment, pleasure, lifespan, and karma. When their heavenly lifespan ends, they are reborn elsewhere according to their karma.

Thus, even heaven is part of saṃsāra, the cycle of birth and death.

6. Siddha Śilā – Abode of Liberated Souls

At the top of the universe is Siddha Śilā. This is where liberated souls reside forever after attaining moksha.

A Siddha has completely destroyed all karmas and is free from:

• Birth and death
• Pain and pleasure
• Attachment and hatred
• Body and worldly existence

The Siddha exists in infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite bliss, and infinite energy.

7. Time Cycle in Jain Cosmology

Jainism also teaches that time moves in endless cycles. Each cycle has two halves:

• Utsarpiṇī – ascending time cycle, where happiness, strength, lifespan, and spirituality gradually increase
• Avasarpiṇī – descending time cycle, where happiness, strength, lifespan, and spirituality gradually decline

Each half-cycle has six periods called Ārās. According to Jain tradition, we are currently in the fifth ārā of the descending cycle, known as Duḥṣamā, an age of spiritual decline.

Spiritual Understanding

Jain cosmology is not just a map of the universe. Its main purpose is spiritual awakening.

It teaches that:

• The soul has wandered through countless births in many realms.
• Heaven, human life, animal life, and hell are all temporary.
• Karma determines the soul’s birth and experience.
• Only liberation from karma gives permanent freedom.
• Human birth is extremely valuable because it gives the opportunity to attain moksha.

So, Jain cosmology encourages detachment, non-violence, self-discipline, right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

Takeaway

Jain scriptures describe the universe as eternal and governed by karma, not created by a supreme creator. The soul travels through the upper, middle, and lower worlds according to karma. The highest goal is not heaven, but moksha—complete liberation at Siddha Śilā.