Answer

In Jain Dharma, the universe is called Loka. It is the inhabited universe where souls, matter, motion, rest, space, and time exist.

Jain tradition explains the universe in three main parts:

• Urdhva Loka – Upper world
• Madhya Loka – Middle world
• Adho Loka – Lower world

Beyond Loka is Aloka, empty space where there is only space, and no living beings, matter, motion, or rest.

Explanation

1. Urdhva Loka – Upper World

Urdhva Loka is the upper region of the universe.

It includes:

• Heavenly realms where celestial beings live
• The higher spiritual regions
• At the very top, Siddha Shila, the abode of liberated souls

Celestial beings experience great pleasure, beauty, and long life, but they are still within samsara. They are not liberated. After their heavenly lifespan ends, they take rebirth according to karma.

At the top of the universe is Siddha Shila, where liberated souls, called Siddhas, exist forever in perfect knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy.

2. Madhya Loka – Middle World

Madhya Loka is the middle region of the universe.

This is very important because:

• Human beings live here
• Animals and many other living beings live here
• Tirthankars are born here
• Liberation is possible only from human birth in this region

According to Jain tradition, Madhya Loka contains continents and oceans arranged in a specific cosmic structure, including Jambudvipa. Our world is understood as part of this middle region.

Human birth is considered extremely valuable because it gives the opportunity to practice right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

3. Adho Loka – Lower World

Adho Loka is the lower region of the universe.

It contains hellish realms, called Naraka, where beings experience intense suffering due to the results of harmful karmas.

Jain tradition describes multiple levels of hellish existence. Beings born there suffer greatly, but this state is also temporary. After the lifespan of that birth ends, the soul takes another birth according to its remaining karmas.

4. Aloka – Beyond the Universe

Aloka means the region beyond Loka.

It is infinite space, but it does not contain:

• Souls
• Matter
• Motion
• Rest
• Worldly activity

Living beings cannot go into Aloka because the conditions needed for movement and existence are not present there.

Spiritual Understanding

The Jain view of Loka teaches that the soul wanders through different states of existence due to karma.

A soul may be born as:

• Heavenly being
• Human
• Animal or other lower life forms
• Hellish being

But all these births are temporary unless the soul attains liberation.

The most important point is that human birth is the best opportunity for moksha. Even heavenly life is not liberation, because celestial beings are still bound by karma.

Takeaway

Jain Dharma divides the universe into Urdhva Loka, Madhya Loka, and Adho Loka. Souls wander through these regions according to karma. The goal is to rise beyond all worldly births and attain liberation at Siddha Shila, the eternal abode of liberated souls.