Jambudweep and Ujjayani


Maharaja Shrenik asked ‘Lord Mahavir’ in the Samavsharan of the “Siddhachakravrat”; its principles, constituents, its importance, its fundamental essence, why and who practiced it first and its result.
Now here comes the tale of ‘Shripal and Mainasundari’ which 'Lord Mahavir' told as an answer to the question of Shrenik.
Madhya Lok has infinite islands. In the mid of these islands is an isle called Jambudweep (the name Jambudweep has been given to this isle due to the abundance of Jambu trees here). Now at the center of Jambudweep lies the ‘Sumeru Parvat’. To the south of this Parvat exists the ‘Bharat Kshetra’ (the land of Bharat). In this Bahrat Kshetra there was a country called Avanti and therein was a city called ‘Ujjayani’.

So going by the Jain cosmology, the city of our story lies somewhere here:

Madhya Lok is the Mid level-Home of Humans and animals
The city of Ujjayani was vast in size surrounded by deep moat all around it which was filled by fresh clean waters and blooming Lotuses. The city had five to seven storey houses built and embedded with colourful precious stones and gold. It had all the valuables and in-valuables needed to run a city, well prestigious with all the priceless bounties abound.
Jambudweep - Sumeru Parvat is situated at the center

The people of this city were all healthy, happy, noble and gentle. The men were brave and obedient. The women were beautiful and modest.
The forests of the city had many beautiful golden Jain Temples along with places for amusement and making merry. These Jain Temples had sky touching 'Shikhars' holding golden 'Kalashas' embellished with gemstones. There were flags of different colours hoisted at the top of the 'Shikhars'. In the temple was a Sanctum sanctorum (garbha griha) and inside it was placed a Jain deity (made of various precious metals and stones), only sight of which provided relief and joy.
Image depicting a Jaina Temple

Comments

  1. Rakshansh JainJanuary 4, 2019 at 8:34 PM

    U can add another post explaining in detail about jain cosmology.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prashi Writes...January 5, 2019 at 6:07 AM

      Sure! But for dat i'll have to research it all and den explain. Nyc topic to be told in future.. :)

      Delete

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