how many realms are there.
In Jainism, the universe is divided into fourteen realms (lokas), which are grouped into three main worlds:
- Urdhva Loka (Upper World): The realms of the heavenly beings (devas).
- Madhya Loka (Middle World): The human realm, where humans, animals, and plants live.
- Adho Loka (Lower World): The realms of the hellish beings (narakis).
These realms are further subdivided, with seven levels each in the upper and lower worlds, and the middle world as the eighth. Souls (jivas) take birth in different realms according to their karma. The ultimate goal in Jainism is to transcend all these realms and attain liberation (moksha), which is beyond the cycle of birth and death.