Quasar Water Discovery Aligns with Jain Cosmology: Insights on Eternal Water

Astronomical Findings: Unveiling the Origins of Water in the Universe

A new study reveals a massive water reservoir in space, 140 trillion times the volume of Earth's oceans, orbiting a quasar named APM 08279+5255, 12 billion light-years away. This quasar surrounds a supermassive black hole, 20 billion times the sun’s mass, and emits energy equal to a thousand trillion suns. The discovery aligns with descriptions in Jain scriptures about vast water bodies.

NASA’s Matt Bradford highlighted the quasar’s unique environment, producing significant water and illustrating water's prevalence even in the early universe. Scientists also detected unique molecules in the heated gas and dust influenced by the black hole’s gravity. 

Cosmic Reservoir near Quasar APM 08279+5255

 Jain Doctrine (Cosmology)

 According to Jain scriptures, the universe (loka) consists of three realms: Urdhvaloka (upper world), Madhyaloka (middle world), and Adholoka (lower world). The Madhyaloka contains the Earth, all planets, constellations, stars, and other celestial bodies. Contrary to common belief, all heavenly bodies are situated in the Madhyaloka, not in the Urdhvaloka. 

At the center of the Madhyaloka lies Jambudvipa, surrounded by the Lavana Samudra (all seas and oceans). Beyond this are the Dhataki Khanda and the Kalodadhi Samudra, followed by the Pushkarvar Dvipa and its ocean. Each successive island and ocean doubles in diameter. At the far end of these countless islands and oceans lies the Swayambhooraman Samudra, marking the boundary of the Madhyaloka. 

A Cosmic Reservoir: Jain Scriptures and the Discovery of Ancient Water in Space

According to the new discovery, a water body equivalent to 140 trillion oceans has been found in distant space. Using simple calculations, it is estimated that this volume equals approximately 2 raised to the power 47. As per Jain scriptures, each successive island and ocean doubles in size, making it plausible to identify which ocean this could correspond to. 

 Another significant conclusion from this discovery is that the existence of water in the universe is extremely ancient—dating back to the origin of the universe itself, as modern science suggests. This challenges current scientific theories about the origin of water on Earth and supports the Jain concept of the eternal existence of water (Shashvata Apakaya). Further in-depth research is required on this subject.

Astronomical finding aligns with Jain cosmology

According to Jain geography/astronomy, each successive island and ocean doubles in size. Based on this principle, the distance of the 47th island-ocean would be extremely vast. According to the current discovery, this immense reservoir of water is also located at a great distance of 12 billion light-years. 

A light year equals 9.46 trillion Kilometers. Hence 12 billion light years equals 107.5 billion trillion (sextillion) Kilometers. This is a huge number and comparable with the number mentioned in the Jain doctrine.  Aligning these findings confirms the principles of Jain philosophy.

Thanks, 

Jyoti Kothari