आधुनिक भू-विज्ञान के परिप्रेक्ष्य में जम्बूदीप और मेरुपर्वत
By Rajkumar Nandgaonkar
Summary
This paper by Dr. Rajkumar Nandgaonkar explores the geographical descriptions in Jain scriptures, particularly the Tattvartha Sutra, and attempts to correlate them with modern geographical and geological knowledge. The central focus is Mount Meru, described in Jain cosmology as a massive, vertically sloping mountain at the center of Jambudvipa, with a height of one lakh yojanas. The author notes that while such a mountain does not exist today, the Pamir mountain range in Central Asia shares characteristics with the description of Meru, including its plateau-like shape, steep escarpments, and surrounding peaks that resemble the four Pandukashilas. The paper argues that if Pamir is identified as Mount Meru, the locations of other mountains and regions in Jambudvipa become easier to determine. The author proposes that Jambudvipa corresponds to the Asian continent, with the Himalayan range representing the Himavan mountains, and the Bharat Kshetra corresponding to modern India and parts of Pakistan and Bangladesh. The paper also discusses the geological formation of the Himalayas from the Tethys Sea and notes that while the Himalayas are a young and still-rising mountain range, Mount Meru is described as eternal and unchanging. The author concludes by suggesting that the ancient Jain geographical framework, when viewed through the lens of modern geology and satellite imagery, aligns with the physical geography of Asia, supporting the idea that Jainism was once a global religion with influence extending beyond India.
Conclusion
This analysis demonstrates that the geographical descriptions in the Tattvartha Sutra, particularly of Mount Meru and Jambudvipa, can be meaningfully correlated with modern geological and geographical features. By identifying the Pamir mountain range as a likely candidate for Mount Meru and aligning the ancient regions with contemporary Asian territories, the study bridges ancient Jain cosmology with present-day scientific understanding. This correlation suggests that the ancient texts may have been based on a sophisticated observation of the physical world, offering a framework for reinterpreting historical geography. The findings imply that Jain geographical concepts are not merely mythological but may contain empirical truths that can be validated through modern science, potentially enriching both religious scholarship and geological history.