In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Nityodyata (नित्योद्यत) is one of the four Añjana-mountains situated in the southern direction of the central part of Nandīśvaradvīpa, according to Jain cosmology. It has a black colour and on the top are temples of the Arhats (tīrthaṅkaras), decorated with jewelled platforms (maṇipīṭhikā), diases (devacchandaka) and statues (śāśvata-bimba) of Ṛṣabha, Vardhamāna, Candrāmana and Vāriṣeṇa in the paryaṅka posture.

The Devaramaṇa mountain lies in Nandīśvaradvīpa, which is one of the continents (dvīpa) of the middle-world (madhyaloka) and is mentioned in ancient Jaina canonical texts dealing with cosmology and geography of the universe. Examples of such texts are the Saṃgrahaṇīratna in the Śvetāmbara tradition or the Tiloyapannatti and the Trilokasāra in the Digambara tradition.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Nityodyata (नित्योद्यत) refers to the southern Nandīśvara mountain, situated in the “middle world” (madhyaloka), according to chapter 2.3 [ajitanātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly:—“In [the central part of Nandīśvara], there are 4 Añjana Mountains, the color of antimony, in succession in the directions, east, etc. At ground-level they are more than 10,000 yojanas in diameter and 1,000 yojanas at top. They have the height of the small Merus. Of these, Devaramaṇa is in the east, Nityodyata in the south, Svayamprabha in the west, and Ramaṇīya in the north. On top of them there are temples to the Arhats, 100 yojanas long, half as wide, and 70 yojanas high. In each of these there are 4 doors, 16 yojanas high, 8 yojanas deep, and 8 wide. They are the homes of the gods Deva, Asura, Nāga, and Suparṇa, and are known by their names”.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Full-text: Anjana, Nandishvaradvipa.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Nityodyata; (plurals include: Nityodyatas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)

Part 31: Description of Nandīśvara < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]

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