Heaven & Beyond! Jain Cosmology - Part 1

When we look through the prism of Jainism, it is very easy to comprehend the entire universe, living beings, non living beings, life cycles, time cycles and the journey of every soul. Given the complexity and diversity of the topic, I will be splitting the topic in four blogs, describing abode of humans, demi-Gods (Heavenly beings), Narkis (Hellish beings) and the overall shape/size of entire universe each.

The entire universe as per Jainism, is split into 3 parts:
* Urdhva Loka (the upper world) - abode of the demi-Gods or Heavenly beings
* Madhya Loka (the middle world) - where humans/triyanch reside
* Adho Loka (the lower world) - the world of the hellish beings



The goal of every soul is to reach the 45 lakh yojan long Siddh Shila, where infinite Siddh Gods are residing. But in the series of Jain Cosmology blogs, this one talks about Devtas (or Heavenly beings, or Demi-Gods), Devloka - their abode (or Heaven as it is known), their lifecycles and characteristics. Please dont confuse the Heavenly beings with the Liberated beings (having attained Moksha, residing at Siddshila).

Before we dig into the names of some of these heavenly abodes and their characteristics, let me tell the readers some trivia. The Soul of Lord Mahavir Swami was residing in Pranatadevaloka (the 14th Heaven) in the previous lifetime. Even the soul of Lord Parshvanath, Naminatha, Ananthanath, Vasupujya Swami were all residing in Pranatadevlok before their last birth as humans. Similarly Lord Adinatha's soul was residing beyond the 16 Heavens - in the Anuttar Viman called Sarvarthasiddha. Sarvarthasiddha is the highest level of heavenly abodes, just below the Siddhshila.

Who are Devas (Devtas)?
They are celestial beings, possessing special powers and residing in heaven(s). Heaven has multiple layers (or there are multiple Heavens, one higher than the previous one) and lies above the Madhya Lok (abode of the humans). Their life spans over enormous number of years but they are not free from the cycle of life and death and have not attained Moksha. They are yet to win over their karmas. A Soul residing here is effectively reaping the effects of their Punya (good) karmas and is also "likely" in a relatively higher state of spiritual progress. Note: Devas cannot be born as Narkis in their next birth. The path to their soul's liberation is also possible only after winning over all karma through a human body sometime in future. No wonder the human form of life is glorified in all texts and is the only way of liberation. Heavenly beings are born instantaneously in special beds without any parents. 

There are four types of Devtas but I would largely focus on the highest order amongst them - the Vaimanik Devas:

1st Order: Bhavanavāsī (residential) -  Nagakumar, Asurakumar etc
2nd Order: Vyantara (intermediaries or peripatetic) -  Gandharv, Yaksha , Rakshas, Kinnar, Pichash etc
3rd Order: Jyotiṣka (luminaries or stellar) - Sun, Moon, planets, stars, constellations etc
4th Order: Vaimānika (Astral or heavenly beings) - highest order amongst Devas. 

Human who live a life with the 'Right Belief' take birth as Vaimanik Devs and not amongst the lower three orders.

Do all Vaimanik Devas reside at same level? No. There are 16 levels of heavens one above the other. Souls residing in higher levels of heaven, while non-liberated from the cycle of birth have greater lifetime, power, brilliance, purity of thought and clairvoyance. The lower levels of heaven have kingdoms like we have on our planet, Earth - rulers (called Indra) and the entire hierarchy.





The 16 levels of Heaven are called: 1) Saudharma, 2) Aishana, 3) Sanatkumara, 4) Mahendra, 5) Brahma, 6) Brahmottara, 7) Lantava, 8) Kapishta, 9) Shukra, 10) Mahashukra, 11) Shatara, 12) Sahasrara, 13) Anata, 14) Pranata, 15) Arana and 16) Achyuta. These heavens are situated between our Earth and the Siddshila (discussed in previous blogs, abode of the liberated souls), so from distance perspective the closest heaven to earth is Saudharma (1st Heaven) and so on and so forth. 

Whats beyond these 16 Heavens? Between these 16 Heavens and the end of the Universe where lies the Siddhshila (abode of the liberate dones) there are 9 Graveyaks and 9 Anudish and 9 Anuttar Vimans. The 16 levels prior to Graiveyakas are called Kalpas and the higher levels are called Kalpatit. These are basically further higher levels or planes where the Souls reside in their own vehicles peacefully and in utter bliss. The souls residing, in Vijaya (Anuttar Viman) and beyond  require maximum of 2 human lifetime of births to attain Moksha.



There is constant increase in brilliance, purity of the soul on every higher level. But there is decrease with regard to motion, stature, attachment, and pride.


The devtas residing upto the Aishana Kalpa (2nd Heaven) enjoy copulation, others derive pleasure by touch, sight, sound and thought! The Devas residing in Kalpatits (beyond the 16 heavens and in the levels between them and Siddhshila) are devoid of any sexual desires. Kalpit Devas dont go anywhere from their Vimans, they are independent beings residing in their own vehicles. 

Whats the approximate lifetime of the souls residing in these abodes? Minimum lifetime of the Residential devas is ten thousand years. Vyantar devas is a little over one palyopama (similar to Jyotiska Dev like the Sun). In the 3rd and 4th levels of heavens viz Sanatkumara and Mahendra roughly the age is around 7 Sagaropama (pls refer to appendix). Maximum lifetime of Bhavanvasi devs is around 1 Sagaropama (minimum is around 1.5 Palyopama). In Saudharma and Aishana Kalpas (1st and 2nd heavens) the maximum lifetime is a little over two Sagaropamas. Beyond Mahendra Devlok, the lifetime increases by 3, 7, 9, 11, 15 Sagaropama approximately. In the 9 Graiveyakas, Anudish, Anuttar Vimans it increases by 1 Sagaropama each.

Do you know what's 1 Sagaropama? Attaching a picture of my notes in appendix below, but roughly its 10*10mn*10mn Palyopamas! We are clearly talking some infinitely large lifetimes.

Some Trivia for you: Saudharma Indra does the Janma Kalyanak for all Tirthankars. He also sets up stage for Samosaran, One Saudharma Indra likely performs these for numerous Tirthankars, but there were numerous Saudharma Indras who took births between the lifetime of Lord Adinath and Lord Ajithnath! Leave you with this thought to ponder upon, will take this in further details when we discuss timecycles!

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Appendix:

Whats Sagaropama, Palyopama?


Nine Graiveyak abodes are: Sudarshan, Amogh, Suprabuddha, Yashodhar, Subhadra, Suvishal, Sumanas, Saumanas and Pritikar.

Nine Anudish are Aditya, Archi, Archimalini, Vair, Vairochan, Saum, Saumrup, Ark and Sphatik. 

Five Anuttar are Vijaya, Vaijayanta, Jayanta, Aparajita and Sarvarthasiddhi (this is where Lord Adinath's soul was residing for numerous years just before the last birth at Rishabhdev prior to Moskha).

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