1663-1664

The Jain Cosmography (Sangrahanisutra)

This painting shows a detailed depiction of one of the many continents in the middle world--a place between the hells and the heavens where the soul can gain liberation. This continent lies on both sides of a ring (kundala) of mountains. The large inner circle has four temples, separated by trees, surrounding a palace. Within the large outer circle, six smaller circles indicate other mountains with towns around them, although the text specifies eight. Huge, happy fish in water signify the great surrounding ocean.