A treasure trove within the Śvetāmbara canon, the Bhagavatī Sūtra lays out a panoramic vision of Jain cosmology, almost like an ancient cosmic atlas. Through a series of vivid dialogues—often between Mahāvīra and celestial beings—this text maps the three-tiered universe (Urdhva Loka, Madhya Loka, Adho Loka), detailing the heavens above, the human realm in the middle, and the hells below. Each realm is not a mere backdrop but a living tapestry where countless life forms cycle through birth, death, and rebirth, governed by the law of karma.

Space and time receive meticulous treatment here. Gigantic measurements (liṅgās, krośas) and vast eons (kalpas) might seem mind-bending, yet they underscore Jainism’s knack for zooming in on the nuts and bolts of existence while never losing sight of the bigger picture. By charting Jambūdvīpa’s islands, Mount Sumeru’s peaks, and the realms of gods and demons, the Bhagavatī Sūtra offers a bird’s-eye view of a universe that pulses with moral significance—every molecule tied to ethical consequences.

Its encyclopedic scope has served as a reference point for generations of Jain scholars, inspiring commentaries and temple art that still adorns pilgrimage sites across India. When NASA’s James Webb Telescope sends back images of distant galaxies, it rekindles that very human awe at cosmic vastness—a sentiment Jain sages explored long before modern astronomy.

Beyond pure geography, the text weaves in doctrines on the soul’s journey, the mechanics of karma, and practical guidance for spiritual progress. By blending cosmological detail with ethical teaching, the Bhagavatī Sūtra remains a cornerstone for anyone curious about how an ancient tradition sought to map both outer space and the inner landscape of consciousness.