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Cosmic Cartography: Unveiling Jambudvīpa's Ancient Realms

An immersive exploration into the philosophical and geographical interpretations of Jambudvīpa across Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain cosmologies.

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Introduction to Jambudvīpa

A Name for Ancient India

Jambudvīpa, a term rooted in ancient Indian sources, frequently designates the territory recognized today as the Indian Subcontinent. This Sanskrit endonym, also appearing as Jambudīpa in Pali, is derived from the concept of dvīpa, which signifies an "island" or "continent" within the framework of ancient Indian cosmogony. Its literal translation, "the land of jambu trees," refers to the Syzygium cumini, a significant tree in these traditions.

Historical and Epigraphic Usage

The historical significance of Jambudvīpa is underscored by its usage by Emperor Ashoka in the third century BCE to denote his vast realm.[3] This terminology persisted, as evidenced by Kannada inscriptions from the tenth century CE, which similarly referred to the region, presumably Ancient India, as Jambudvīpa.[4] This demonstrates its enduring relevance as a geographical and cultural identifier throughout various periods of Indian history.

The Jambu Tree's Significance

The name Jambudvīpa itself is intrinsically linked to the jambu tree (Syzygium cumini). This botanical connection is not merely nominal but deeply embedded in the cosmological narratives, where the tree and its fruits play a role in shaping the mythical landscape and its features, as we will explore in the Puranic descriptions.

Puranic Cosmography

The Seven Continents

Within Puranic cosmography, the world, known as sapta-dvipa vasumati, is conceptualized as being divided into seven concentric island continents. These continents are separated by seven encircling oceans, each progressively larger than the one before it. The named continents are Jambudvīpa, Plaksadvipa, Salmalidvipa, Kusadvipa, Krouncadvipa, Sakadvipa, and Pushkaradvipa.[5][6]

Oceans of Diverse Substances

These seven continents are interspersed with seven unique oceans, each composed of a distinct substance. These include salt-water, sugarcane juice, wine, ghee, yogurt, milk, and pure water.[7][8] Beyond this cosmic arrangement lies the mountain range called Lokaloka, which translates to "world-no-world," serving as a boundary between the known cosmos and the primordial dark void.[9]

Jambudvīpa's Unique Features

Jambudvīpa, also referred to as Sudarśanadvīpa, holds the position of the innermost island continent in this elaborate scheme. Its name, as previously noted, is linked to the jambu tree (Syzygium cumini). The Viṣṇupurāṇa describes the fruits of this tree as being enormous, comparable in size to Asian elephants. When these fruits ripen and fall from the mountain crests, their juice forms a river known as the Jambunadi. This river flows through Jambudvīpa, providing sustenance to its inhabitants. The continent is further characterized by nine varshas (zones) and eight prominent parvatas (mountains).

Mount Meru and Brahmapuri

The Markandeya Purana offers a detailed depiction of Jambudvīpa, portraying it as depressed in its southern and northern extremities, yet elevated and expansive in its central region. This elevated central area forms the varsha known as Ila-vrta or Meruvarsha. At the very heart of Ila-vrta stands the golden Mount Meru, revered as the king of mountains. Upon its summit lies Brahmapuri, the magnificent city of Brahma, encircled by eight other cities belonging to Indra and seven other Devatas.

The Akasha Ganga

Both the Markandeya Purana and the Brahmanda Purana describe Jambudvīpa as being divided into four vast regions, metaphorically shaped like the petals of a lotus, with Mount Meru serving as the central pericarp. The city of Brahmapuri is said to be encompassed by the Akasha Ganga, a celestial river. This divine river is believed to emanate from the foot of Vishnu, traverse the lunar region, and then descend "through the skies." After encircling Brahmapuri, it divides into four mighty streams that flow in opposing directions from Mount Meru, irrigating the expansive lands of Jambudvīpa.[10]

Puranic Variations

While a common set of names for the dvīpas and their respective varshas (nine for Jambudvīpa, seven for others), each with its mountain and river, is found across several Puranas,[11] other Puranas present distinct nomenclature.[12] Notably, the Vāyu Purāṇa is recognized for providing the most comprehensive and detailed geographical descriptions of these cosmic realms.[13]

Buddhist Cosmology

Realms of Existence

Buddhist cosmology delineates the bhūmaṇḍala, or "circle of the earth," into three distinct levels of existence: the Kāmadhātu (Desire Realm), the Rūpadhātu (Form Realm), and the Ārūpyadhātu (Formless Realm). Within the Kāmadhātu, the central cosmic mountain, Mount Meru (Sumeru), is situated. This sacred peak is envisioned as being surrounded by four island-continents, with Jambudvīpa being the southernmost among them.

Jambudvīpa's Form and Scale

In Buddhist accounts, Jambudvīpa is depicted with a triangular shape, featuring a blunted point oriented towards the south, bearing a resemblance to the geographical outline of the Indian subcontinent. At its core stands a colossal Jambu tree, from which the continent derives its name, signifying "Jambu Island." This continent is also known as Jambusanda. Its immense scale is described as ten thousand yojanas in extent, with four thousand yojanas covered by ocean, three thousand by the Himālaya mountains, and the remaining three thousand inhabited by humans.

The Path to Liberation

Jambudvīpa holds a unique and profound significance in Buddhist thought as the realm where human beings reside. It is considered the sole place where a being can achieve enlightenment through human birth. Here, individuals have the opportunity to receive the teachings of Dharma, comprehend the Four Noble Truths, embrace the Noble Eightfold Path, and ultimately attain liberation from the cyclical nature of life and death (Saṃsāra).

Historical Echoes

Further historical context is provided by the Buddhist text, the Mahāvaṃsa. In this narrative, Emperor Ashoka's son, Mahinda, who became a Bhikku (Buddhist monk), introduces himself to King Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura (the capital of ancient Sri Lanka) as hailing from Jambudvīpa, thereby referring to what is now the Indian subcontinent. This narrative is also echoed in the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva Pūrvapraṇidhāna Sūtra within Mahayana Buddhism, reinforcing the geopolitical understanding of Jambudvīpa.

Jain Cosmology

Center of Madhyaloka

In Jain cosmology, Jambūdvīpa occupies the central position within Madhyaloka, or the middle part of the universe, which is designated as the abode of human beings. Detailed descriptions of Jambūdvīpa, along with biographies of figures like Ṛṣabha and King Bharata, are found in the Jambūdvīpaprajñapti, a treatise dedicated to the "island of the Roseapple tree."

Canonical Texts

Further insights into Jambūdvīpa and the broader Jain cosmological framework are provided by other significant texts. These include the Trilokasāra (Essence of the three worlds), Trilokaprajñapti (Treatise on the three worlds), Trilokadipikā (Illumination of the three worlds), and Kṣetrasamāsa (Summary of Jain geography). These scriptures collectively offer a comprehensive understanding of the universe as perceived in Jain philosophy.

Cosmic Islands and Oceans

Madhyaloka is envisioned as comprising numerous continent-islands, each surrounded by a distinct ocean. The initial eight of these are meticulously named, as shown in the table below:

Continent/ Island Ocean
Jambūdvīpa Lavanoda (Salt - ocean)
Dhatki Khand Kaloda (Black sea)
Puskarvardvīpa Puskaroda (Lotus Ocean)
Varunvardvīpa Varunoda (Varun Ocean)
Kshirvardvīpa Kshiroda (Ocean of milk)
Ghrutvardvīpa Ghrutoda (Ghee ocean)
Ikshuvardvīpa Iksuvaroda (Ocean of Sugarcane Juice)
Nandishwardvīpa Nandishwaroda

Mount Meru and Nine Zones

At the absolute center of this cosmic arrangement is Mount Meru, around which Jambūdvīpa forms a perfect circle with a diameter of 100,000 yojanas.[14] This continent is further segmented by six significant mountain ranges, which delineate it into nine distinct zones, or Kshetra. These zones are: Bharat Kshetra, Mahavideha Kshetra, Airavat Kshetra, Ramyakwas, Hariwas, Hairanyvat Kshetra, Haimavat Kshetra, Devkuru, and Uttarkuru.

Architectural Depictions

The intricate cosmological concepts of Jainism are not confined to texts but are also manifested in physical architecture. A notable example is the Jambudweep Jain tirtha located in Hastinapur. This sacred site was constructed under the guidance of Gyanmati Mataji and serves as a tangible, three-dimensional representation of Jambudvīpa as described in Jain cosmology, allowing devotees and scholars to visualize these ancient concepts.

Jambudvīpa in Geopolitics

Historical Identity

Beyond its cosmological and philosophical interpretations, the term Jambudvīpa also held significant geopolitical meaning in ancient India. Emperor Ashoka, in the 3rd century BCE, utilized this term to refer to his vast empire, indicating its use as a contemporary geographical identifier for the Indian subcontinent. This practice was not isolated, as later inscriptions, such as those from Mysorean in the tenth century AD, continued to employ Jambudvīpa to describe the region, reinforcing its role as a historical designation for India.[15]

Dynastic Connections

Historical records further illustrate the geopolitical context of Jambudvīpa. An inscription from the Annual Report Of Mysore 1886 To 1903 details the succession of various powerful dynasties that ruled the Kuntala country, a region encompassing parts of Mysore and the Bombay Presidency. These included the nava-Nanda, Gupta-kula, and Mauryya kings, followed by the Rattas, Chalukyas, Kalachuryya family, and eventually the Hoysala Ballalas. Another record from Kubatur explicitly states that Chandra Gupta governed the Naga-khanda, located in the southern Bharata-kshetra of Jambudvīpa. This Naga-khanda is identified with the Nagara-khanda Seventy mentioned in numerous inscriptions, with Bandanikke (Bandalike in Shimoga) serving as its principal town. Furthermore, the report notes marital alliances, such as the daughters of the Kadamba king being given in marriage to the Guptas, highlighting the interconnectedness of these ancient realms within the broader concept of Jambudvīpa.

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References

References

  1.  Geographical Data in the Early Puranas. A Critical Study, Dr M. R. Singh: University of Rajasthan/Jaipur. Punthi Pustak, Calcutta. 1972. p. 5
A full list of references for this article are available at the Jambudvīpa Wikipedia page

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