Jambudvipa is the name of one of the seven islands on earth
mentioned in Hindu scriptures. It is named after Jambun or rose apple tree. Jambudvipa
is interpreted either roughly as the northern hemisphere or the region in Asia with
India
and adjacent regions and islands. Some scholars are of the view that Jambudvipa
is a heavenly place and not on earth.
As per Bhagavad Purana, Jambudvipa is divided into nine
regions. Of these only Bharata Varsha is inhabited by human beings. The rest of
the eight regions are occupied by celestial beings or by saints and pious persons.
One of the eight regions is known as Ilavrat Varsha and it
is occupied by Siddhas, Charanas, Gandharvas. The celestial beings that live
here have the power to become smaller than the smallest and bigger than the
biggest. The gardens and lakes in the region are the play ground of the celestial
beings and their wives. The region is also frequented by Shiva and Parvati.
The people who take birth on Bharatavarsha are divided
according to the qualities of material nature – the modes of goodness, passion,
and ignorance. Here one takes birth based on one’s past karma. The advantage of
being born here is that one can quickly attain spiritual liberation.
Jambudvipa is said to be 100,000 yojanas across. It contains
mountains including Himalayas which are 10,000
yojanas high. Trees that grow here are tall nearly 1,100 yojanas including
Jambu or Rose Apple Tree. The inhabitants of the region are also large. (1
yojana is around 8 miles)
Lord Shiva is believed to meditate under a huge Banyan Tree
in Kailash which is part of Jambudvipa. The banyan tree is 100 yojanas high and
its branches are spread over 75 yojanas.
Mango, Rose Apple, Kadamba and Banyan Tree were mostly found
in the region.
It must be also noted here that the description of
Jambudvipa especially in the Bhishma Parva is not similar to the one found in
the Puranas.