.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
In Jain philosophy, the cosmos is made of three parts. The madhyaloka, or middle world, rests between the lower world (adholoka) and the heavens (urdhvaloka), all of which together comprise the cosmos. The madhyaloka is the smallest but the most important, for this is where animals and humans live, and it is where tirthankaras are born, therefore, it is the only place where nirvana can be obtained. Paintings depict the madhyaloka according to a complex set of iconography that corresponds to specific geographical features, including mountains, oceans and rivers.
The adhaidvipa corresponds to the inner two-and-a-half continents of the madhyaloka, which are depicted as buff bands of land surrounding a central disc and separated by blue rings representing ocean. The central disc represents the first continent, Jampudvipa ("rose-apple tree") encircled by Lavanasamudra ("Salt ocean"); surrounded by the next continent, Dhatiakikanda, and the ocean Kalodadhi ("black-water ocean"); the outermost band representing the third continent, Pushkaradvipa ("lotus island").
The present example depicts only part of the adhaidvipa. In the corners are four pavilions representing the four Kalpatitas, or guardians of the adhaidvipa.
The adhaidvipa corresponds to the inner two-and-a-half continents of the madhyaloka, which are depicted as buff bands of land surrounding a central disc and separated by blue rings representing ocean. The central disc represents the first continent, Jampudvipa ("rose-apple tree") encircled by Lavanasamudra ("Salt ocean"); surrounded by the next continent, Dhatiakikanda, and the ocean Kalodadhi ("black-water ocean"); the outermost band representing the third continent, Pushkaradvipa ("lotus island").
The present example depicts only part of the adhaidvipa. In the corners are four pavilions representing the four Kalpatitas, or guardians of the adhaidvipa.