Pristine Jainism : Jain Cosmology

There is voluminous literature on Jain cosmology. Broadly the universe is in two parts, one is Lokakash and rest is Alokakash. Lokakash is finite, of measured size and shape and contains all animate and inanimate objects within its boundaries being surrounded by impervious layers to check things going out. Alokakash is infinite empty space same as in modern astronomy. In Jain Cosmology there is mention of innumerable islands and surrounding oceans, Suns and Moons which tally with planets and stars in modern astronomy. The description of a big mountain in the centre of earth (Compact Gondwana continent before drifting away of Africa, America, Australia) resembles that of Himalayas and of rivers in Jain literature is almost same as seen now, though some have become extinct. Arhat kevali, the omniscients must have described the universe correctly but most of knowledge imparted by them was forgotten by later saints and scholars who started writing much later from very little that was left in their memory. It may be because of this fact that earth as flat and sequences and position of stars have been mentioned under the influence of prevailing concepts before advent of modern astronomy, its powerful tools, the telescopes, satellites and rocketry etc. Saints and scholars who authored the scriptures were not kevali and they may have wronged. Jains should admit it and should not insist that all that is written in the scriptures is correct and cannot be modified. This will strengthen the validity of concept of kevali in Jainism. There is urgent need to organise broad based conferences of saints and scholars and revise or delete the contents of scriptures which are obviously not correct in the light of glaring scientific facts.