Answer

In Jain cosmology, Earth is not viewed as a lone planet floating in empty space. It is part of a vast, structured universe called Loka, the inhabited universe.

Outside the human world, Jain cosmology describes:

• Madhya Loka – the middle world, where humans, animals, plants, and many beings live.
• Adho Loka – the lower world, containing hellish realms.
• Urdhva Loka – the upper world, containing heavenly realms.
• Siddha Shila – the topmost region of the universe where liberated souls reside forever.
• Aloka – the infinite non-world beyond Loka, where there is no soul, no matter, no time activity, and no movement.

Explanation

According to Jain Dharma, the universe is eternal and uncreated. It was not made by a creator God and will never be destroyed completely.

The universe is divided into two broad categories:

• Loka – the universe where souls, matter, motion, rest, space, and time function.
• Aloka – the infinite space beyond Loka, where only space exists. Souls and matter do not exist there.

In Jain cosmology, our human realm is located in Madhya Loka. Within Madhya Loka are many regions, continents, oceans, mountains, and worlds. The area where human spiritual practice is possible includes regions such as Bharat Kshetra, where Tirthankars appear and liberation can be pursued.

Above Madhya Loka are celestial realms where heavenly beings live. Below it are painful realms where hellish beings experience suffering due to intense karmic bondage.

At the very top of Loka is Siddha Shila. Liberated souls, called Siddhas, reside there eternally in perfect knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy.

Spiritual Understanding

Jain cosmology is not only about the physical structure of the universe. It teaches that the soul wanders through many forms of existence because of karma.

A soul may be born as:

• a human being,
• an animal or plant-bodied being,
• a heavenly being,
• a hellish being,
• or other forms of life described in Jain tradition.

But Jain Dharma teaches that heavenly pleasure and hellish suffering are both temporary. The highest goal is not heaven, but Moksha — liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Takeaway

In Jain cosmology, outside Earth there are many realms within Loka, including heavenly and hellish worlds. Beyond the entire inhabited universe is Aloka, infinite empty space. The highest destination for the soul is Siddha Shila, where liberated souls remain forever in perfect purity.