Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s1.t6.34

v2.c10.s1.t6.34

As for tales prior to Mahavira, Jain texts point out: time is infinite and shapeless, and rotates ceaselessly one cycle after another, and each cycle is equal to 10¹⁴x20 years and can be divided into 12 epochs. The first six epochs constitute the ascending and latter six the descending circle. The world is without bound and at its centre is the middle world (Madhya Loka). Below this are seven hells and above that are 16 heavens and 14 realms. Humans, animals, ghosts and some devas live in the middle world. At the apex of the universe is Siddhasila, the realms of the liberated souls. Men now are in the descending circle, in the first three epochs of which, people were in a state of happiness and entirely relied on nature for living. During this time, people could get what they need by just standing under the kalpa tree. There was no culture, no law, no rules and the like, and people lived freely and without struggle and war. At the end of the third epoch, people awoke from sound sleep and began to organise themselves into a number of clans and tribes. Some eminent chiefs were called 'kings' and they were also called Manu (lord of mankind). By the end of the third epoch there were 14 Manus, and in the fourth epoch, 63 major figures arose, including 24 Tirthankaras.