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Mount Meru

Mount Meru is a sacred, golden mountain central to Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist cosmologies, revered as the and the core of the physical, metaphysical, and spiritual universe. Described as a towering structure made of and precious stones, it stands at the heart of the , supporting the heavens and serving as the abode of deities like at its summit. In , Mount Meru—also known as Sumeru—rises 84,000 yojanas high from a base of equal width, encircled by seven concentric mountain ranges and seven seas of varying substances, with four major continents radiating outward from its position. This configuration symbolizes the structured order of creation, with Meru as the pivotal point where earthly and divine realms intersect, embodying stability and the path to . Its form influences sacred , such as temple spires designed to evoke its cosmic form, representing the ascent toward spiritual liberation. Buddhist traditions depict Mount Meru similarly as the central pillar of the , surrounded by four great continents including Jambudvipa (the human realm), and topped by tiers of heavens where gods reside. It functions as a for the mind's journey beyond samsara, the cycle of rebirth, with its peak signifying nirvana and the base the depths of suffering. parallels this, positioning Meru as the universe's vertical axis amid horizontal layers of existence, underscoring themes of non-attachment and cosmic harmony. Beyond mythology, the name Mount Meru also refers to a dormant in , 's second-highest peak at 4,562 meters (14,968 feet), located in National and known for its horseshoe-shaped formed by ancient eruptions. This physical landmark offers trekking routes through diverse ecosystems, including wildlife habitats, and serves as an acclimatization climb for ascents.

Names and Etymology

Etymology

The term "Meru" originates from , where it derives from a root meaning "high," denoting a "" or "," symbolizing a central supporting structure in cosmological contexts. This derivation aligns with its role as the mythical central mountain, often prefixed with "su-" to form "Sumeru," meaning "excellent" or "splendid Meru," emphasizing its exalted status. The word's root evokes elevation and stability, linking it to concepts of height and boundary in ancient Indo-Aryan linguistic traditions. In Vedic literature, "" first emerges in the as a mythical pillar or mountain separating and , representing a foundational of the that supports the . This early usage evolves in later Vedic texts, where it transitions from a poetic symbol of cosmic order to a more defined central axis around which the universe revolves, as seen in descriptions of planetary motions and divine abodes. The further elaborates on "Meru" through references to its divine proportions, with its height and structure measured in yojanas to underscore its role as the boundary between realms. This textual evolution highlights how the term's core meaning of "" permeates , grounding abstract linguistic in descriptions of .

Names in Other Languages

In , the canonical language of , Mount Meru is commonly referred to as Sumeru or Sineru, reflecting a phonetic that emphasizes its exalted status as the central cosmic . Tibetan translations render the name as Ri rab lhun po (literally "Excellent Peak" or "Miraculously Formed Mountain"), a term used extensively in and texts to denote its role as the world-mountain. In certain Tibetan regional contexts, it is also associated with Kangrinboqe, the local name for , which some traditions identify as a physical manifestation of the mythical peak. In Buddhist literature, the name appears as Xūmí shān (須彌山), a of Sumeru that conveys "wonderfully high" or "admirable summit," adapting the to align with cosmological descriptions in texts like the Avataṃsaka Sūtra. Mongolian adaptations, influenced by both Buddhist and shamanic traditions, use Sümber uul (Сүмбэр уул), where "uul" means "mountain," preserving the phonetic core while integrating it into local linguistic patterns as seen in ritual texts. Southeast Asian languages show further localized variations; in Khmer, it is Phnom Preah Sumeru (ភ្នំព្រះសុមេរុ), combining "phnom" (mountain) with a reverential prefix for the sacred peak, evident in Angkorian temple architecture symbolizing the cosmic center. In Thai, the term Khao Phra Sumeru (เขาพระสุเมรุ) employs "khao" for mountain and "phra" as a , highlighting its divine elevation in royal and performative contexts like masked dance. During the , European Indologists transliterated the name primarily as "Meru" or "Mont Méru" in , as in Eugène Burnouf's analyses of Buddhist and Hindu cosmologies, which introduced these forms to audiences through translations of and sources. These adaptations often retained the original pronunciation while simplifying diacritics for Latin scripts, facilitating early comparative studies.

Cosmological Description

Physical Structure

Mount Meru is depicted in ancient as a colossal golden mountain rising to a height of 84,000 yojanas, equivalent to roughly 672,000 miles, with an additional 16,000 yojanas extending below the earth's surface. Its structure tapers from a base diameter of 16,000 yojanas to a summit width of 32,000 yojanas, forming a tiered form that supports cosmic realms above and below. The mountain's composition emphasizes its divine splendor, primarily golden in hue, while the overall form is adorned with an array of jewels embedded in its surfaces. At the cardinal points, mythical guardians such as the eight massive elephants known as Dig-gajas are positioned, symbolizing protection and cosmic stability. Encircling Mount Meru are successive rings of cosmic waters and landmasses, consisting of seven concentric continents separated by seven oceans of distinct substances, such as saltwater, , and fresh water. The innermost continent, Jambudvipa, encompasses the terrestrial world and lies directly adjacent to Meru, with the mountain serving as its central axis. These features are overseen by guardian deities stationed at key directional points, including the eight world elephants (Dig gajas) upholding the structure's integrity.

Position in the Universe

In Indic cosmological traditions, Mount Meru serves as the , the central pillar connecting the earthly realm to the heavens () and the underworld (), functioning as the pivotal point around which the sun, moon, and stars revolve in a disc-like universe. While descriptions vary across Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions—such as differences in surrounding continents and heavenly tiers—this positioning establishes Meru as the core of Jambudvipa, the central continent, with concentric rings of oceans and mountains encircling it, thereby anchoring the physical and metaphysical structure of the shared across these religions. Above Meru lie the realms of the gods, including successive heavenly planes, while below extend the infernal regions inhabited by demons and tormented souls, reinforcing its role as a vertical conduit between divine, , and subterranean domains. In certain mythological variants, particularly within , Meru is depicted as supported by cosmic elephants (Dig-gajas) stationed at the cardinal directions or by a great tortoise (), symbolizing stability amid the vast oceanic expanse. These supports underscore Meru's foundational stability in the flat-earth model prevalent in these traditions. Meru also embodies the pivot of cyclical cosmology, enduring through kalpas—vast cosmic cycles of , preservation, and —while serving as the unchanging amid temporal flux. In the Samudra Manthan myth, , a spur or adjacent peak of Meru, is uprooted and used as a churning rod to extract the of from the , highlighting Meru's integral role in narratives of renewal and cosmic order. Astronomically, ancient descriptions align Meru's summit with the polar star , portrayed as the fixed pinnacle around which celestial bodies orbit, mirroring the observed rotation of the and integrating empirical into mythological framework. This alignment positions Meru not only as a geographical but also a celestial hub, eternal and unmoving at the universe's core.

Significance in Hinduism

Mythological Role

In , Mount Meru emerges as a pivotal element in narratives, serving as the golden central pillar that supports , , and the netherworlds, connecting the divine realms to the material plane and facilitating the orderly unfolding of . This positioning symbolizes stability and centrality, as Meru pierces through the layers of existence. A prominent mythological event featuring Mount Meru is the Samudra Manthan, or churning of the ocean of milk, recounted in the and , where the mountain Mandara serves as the churning rod. To obtain the nectar of immortality (), the devas and asuras collaborate under 's guidance, wrapping the serpent around Mandara and twisting it as a rope while incarnates as the tortoise to bear the mountain's weight on his back, preventing it from sinking into the ocean depths. This laborious churning yields fourteen divine treasures, including the goddess and the poison , which consumes, underscoring Meru's instrumental role in restoring cosmic balance and divine order. Mount Meru also functions as the grand residence of the gods, with its summit designated as , the abode of , where he presides over creation from a city spanning thousands of yojanas. The mountain's terraced slopes host divine cities: Indra's on the eastern face, Vishnu's on the southern face, and Shiva's Kailasa on the western side, forming a hierarchical abode that reflects the deities' domains and interactions. The elaborates that these realms on Meru are adorned with celestial gardens, rivers, and assemblies, serving as venues for godly councils and interventions in earthly affairs. In epic narratives, Mount Meru appears as a site of divine battles and a cosmic boundary, referenced in the as the northern limit beyond the where gods convene and conflicts unfold. For instance, during the preparations, ascends Meru to procure celestial weapons from , encountering divine guardians and traversing its ethereal peaks that demarcate the human world from higher realms. The similarly invokes Meru as the golden cosmic axis, a boundary pillar from which the sun's chariot emerges at dawn, emphasizing its role in upholding the spatial and temporal order amid heroic quests and demonic incursions.

Symbolic Interpretations

In Hindu yogic traditions, Mount Meru symbolizes the sushumna nadi, the central energy channel within the that runs along the spine, known as the Meru Danda or "staff of Meru." This spinal axis is regarded as the microcosmic counterpart to the cosmic Mount Meru, serving as the foundational pillar that supports the entire physical and energetic structure of the human form. The sushumna connects the muladhara at the base, representing grounded existence, to the at the crown, symbolizing ultimate transcendence and union with divine consciousness. Through practices, the awakening of latent energy (kundalini shakti) ascends this channel, piercing successive chakras and facilitating spiritual evolution from material attachment to enlightenment. Mount Meru further embodies the metaphor of ascent, where its terraced structure illustrates the journey from base instincts to sublime freedom, mirroring the climber's path up the sacred mountain as a disciplined progression toward . In , Mount Meru signifies the unchanging essence of , the ultimate reality that remains immutable amid the flux of the illusory world (). Just as Meru stands firm and unshakable as the cosmic , Brahman is described as without attributes, motion, or alteration—eternal, infinite, and the singular ground of all existence. This symbolism highlights the non-dual philosophy's core tenet: the apparent multiplicity of creation is superimposed on the steadfast Brahman, much like transient phenomena encircle the enduring peak of Meru, guiding the practitioner to discern the real from the unreal through introspective inquiry. Tantric traditions interpret Mount Meru as the bindu, the primordial point of creation within the geometry, representing the concentrated source from which the manifest universe emerges. The three-dimensional form of the , known as the Maha Meru, embodies this mountain as a sacred pyramid, with the bindu at its apex symbolizing the union of (pure consciousness) and (dynamic energy). In Sri Vidya practices, meditating on this structure invokes the creative potential inherent in the bindu, facilitating the practitioner's dissolution of and realization of non-dual , where all forms dissolve back into the singular point of .

Significance in Buddhism

Cosmological Framework

In , as delineated in and scriptures, Mount Sumeru—often termed Sineru in texts—functions as the pivotal of the universe, anchoring a dynamic, impermanent structure that reflects the doctrine of anicca (impermanence). This framework, detailed in foundational texts like the and the , portrays the cosmos not as a static creation but as part of an endless cycle of formation, duration, destruction, and renewal, where all elements, including the grand mountain itself, arise and dissolve without inherent permanence. Central to the expositions, such as those in the Abhidharmakośa of , Mount Sumeru stands at the heart of a single (lokadhātu), which forms the basic unit of a vast three-thousandfold (trisāhasra mahāsāhasralokadhātu). This encompasses a thousand small world systems grouped into medium systems, further aggregated into a great trichiliocosm, each featuring Mount Sumeru encircled by seven concentric golden mountain rings and intervening freshwater seas. Surrounding this core are four immense continents—Purvavideha to the east, Aparagodaniya to the west, to the north, and Jambudvipa to the south— the latter being the human realm. Above Sumeru rise the abodes of the six desire-realm devas, from the Four Great Kings at its base to the Trayastrimsa heaven at its summit, underscoring the mountain's role as a vertical linking earthly and divine realms within this interdependent macrocosm. Descriptions in the elaborate Sumeru's majestic scale: it towers 84,000 yojanas high from its oceanic base, with its four sides composed of gold, silver, , and crystal, and its slopes terraced for divine palaces. Encircling its foot lies a vast saline (lohitoda), bounded by iron encircling mountains (cakravāḍaparvata) that form an impenetrable rim, containing the and emphasizing the bounded, illusory nature of worldly expanse. and orbit this axis, illuminating the system in a that prioritizes ethical and meditative orientation over literal geography. This cosmological edifice highlights impermanence through periodic cataclysms at the close of an antarakalpa or mahakalpa, where the undergoes destruction by fire, water, or in sequence. In the water dissolution (apokalpa), deluges submerge Mount Sumeru up to the level of the Cāturmahārājika heaven, eradicating lower realms while higher beings migrate to form realms; devas then reconstruct the mountain in the ensuing vivartakalpa, perpetuating the cycle without beginning or end. Distinct from the more eternalist Hindu portrayal of Mount Meru as a churning axis for cosmic events like the samudra , Buddhist Sumeru embodies (dependent origination), serving as a transient pivot for planetary motions within an ever-fluctuating universe.

Esoteric and Meditative Aspects

In the , a key text of , Mount Meru is visualized as the central channel (avadhuti or uma) within the practitioner's , serving as the primary pathway for the flow of vital energies ( or ) during advanced meditative practices. This correspondence between the cosmic mountain and the body's internal axis facilitates the integration of macrocosmic and microcosmic structures, allowing practitioners to channel energies upward through the channel to dissolve dualistic perceptions and awaken innate wisdom. In , specific to initiations, meditators generate themselves as the at the summit of Meru within a vast , harmonizing gross and subtle winds to achieve non-dual awareness and the union of bliss and . Tibetan sand mandalas, constructed during rituals to invoke enlightened qualities, prominently feature Mount Meru at their core as a tiered structure symbolizing the enlightened mind's purity and totality. The mountain's concentric levels correspond to the five wisdoms (pancha jnana)—mirror-like, , discriminating, all-accomplishing, and dharmadhatu—each associated with one of the five Dhyani Buddhas and their directional realms, guiding the viewer's toward the of ordinary perception. This visualization tool, often dismantled after creation to demonstrate transience, embodies the mandala's role in cultivating the five wisdoms as antidotes to the five poisons (, , pride, desire, and jealousy), fostering a direct realization of the mind's innate luminosity. Vajrayana meditative traditions incorporate the imagery of ascending Mount Meru as a progressive visualization, where practitioners mentally "climb" its tiers—mirroring the journey through centers (chakras)—to purify karmic obscurations and attain profound realizations such as the rainbow body (jalus), a sign of complete dissolution into light at death, or full nirvana. This ascent practice, rooted in and tantric sadhanas, involves focusing on the central channel to draw energies inward, culminating in the body's transformation into rainbow-like forms that signify the exhaustion of rebirth. Symbolically, Mount Meru's depiction as an immutable cosmic pillar contrasts with core Buddhist doctrines of impermanence (anicca) and (anatta), highlighting the (shunyata) of all phenomena, including grand structures like the mountain itself, which exists only as interdependent arising devoid of inherent essence. This tantric teaches that clinging to Meru's "" form mirrors attachment to a false , urging meditators to deconstruct such projections to realize anatta's truth: no permanent, independent entity underlies experience. Through this lens, Meru becomes a pedagogical device in both practices, dissolving the illusion of solidity to reveal the fluid, selfless nature of reality.

Significance in Jainism

Hierarchical Levels

In Jain cosmology, Mount Meru serves as the foundational axis at the base of Urdhva Loka, the upper world comprising 16 hierarchical levels of heavens inhabited by devas, celestial beings enjoying varying degrees of bliss based on their karma. These levels are tiered above Meru, starting with the lowest heaven, Saudharma, ruled by the Indra known as Saudharma, where devas reside in palaces of gold and jewels, and ascending through heavens like Īśāna, Sānatkumāra, and others up to the highest Anuttara realms such as Sarvārthasiddhi, characterized by unparalleled purity and longevity. The sixteen Kalpa heavens, including Saudharma, represent the initial tiers closest to Meru, housing devas with more direct interactions with the middle world. Beneath Meru lies Adho Loka, the lower world structured as an inverted of seven descending hells, where souls endure escalating suffering proportional to their negative karma, beginning with milder torments in the uppermost hell and culminating in extreme agony in the deepest. The hells, named Ratnaprabha (first and least severe), Sharkara Prabha, Valuka Prabha, Panka Prabha, Dhuma Prabha, Tamaha Prabha, and Mahatamah Prabha (seventh and most intense), are layered downward from the base of the middle world, each governed by a demon king and populated by tormented beings subjected to tortures like fire, frost, and mutual violence. Mount Meru itself is composed of precious materials symbolizing its cosmic centrality. Jain Puranas depict Mount Meru as a pivotal site for cosmic events involving , the enlightened ford-makers, where transports the newborn Tirthankara to its summit for the ritual bathing ceremony () amid divine assemblies, marking the commencement of their spiritual legacy. This event, repeated for each of the 24 Tirthankaras, underscores Meru's role as a celestial hub for universal harmony and the propagation of .

Path of Liberation

In Jain doctrine, Mount Meru functions as the karmic axis of the universe, structuring the realms of existence () such that souls reincarnate in ascending or descending positions based on their accumulated karma from deeds. Positive actions elevate the soul toward higher, purer realms near Meru's summit, symbolizing detachment from material bonds and proximity to spiritual liberation (), while negative karma leads to lower realms of suffering. This vertical hierarchy underscores the ethical imperative of non-violence () and to mitigate karmic influx and facilitate upward progression. The tiers of Mount Meru, as depicted in cosmological texts, metaphorically align with the gunasthanas—the fourteen stages of spiritual development outlined in works like the Samayasara by Acharya Kundakunda—representing the soul's progressive purification from delusion (mithyatva) to (kevalajnana). In this analogy, the base layers correspond to initial stages dominated by karmic obscuration, while ascending levels reflect diminishing attachments and enhanced right faith (samyagdrishti), culminating at the in the soul's inherent purity akin to the liberated state. This symbolism emphasizes the internal journey of , where Meru's unyielding structure mirrors the soul's enduring essence amid karmic fluctuations. Pilgrimages to sacred sites emulating Mount Meru, such as in , play a vital role in ascetic practices aimed at attaining kevalajnana, the pinnacle of knowledge that eradicates all karma. , revered as a terrestrial counterpart to Meru, was the site where the 22nd , Lord Neminath, achieved through intense and , inspiring devotees to undertake arduous climbs as symbolic acts of spiritual ascent and karmic purification. Rituals at these locations, including fasting and , reinforce the path to by fostering detachment and ethical vows. Doctrinal texts like the by Umasvati provide foundational descriptions of Mount Meru as the central pillar of the tripartite —upper (urdhva loka), middle (madhya loka), and lower (adho loka)—encompassing the soul's potential traversal across cosmic realms driven by karma. Chapter 3 details Meru's position in Jambudvipa, the innermost continent, with a height of 100,000 yojanas, serving as the around which and beings , illustrating the dynamic interplay of karmic forces in universal navigation. This framework links Meru's immovability to the soul's quest for stability beyond rebirth, guiding ascetics in comprehending the 's expanse to pursue .

Architectural and Symbolic Representations

In Temple and Mandala Designs

In Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temple architecture, Mount Meru serves as a foundational cosmological model, with structures designed as microcosmic replicas of the sacred mountain to symbolize the universe's and facilitate spiritual ascent. , as geometric diagrams underlying these designs, often depict Meru at the center, surrounded by concentric rings representing continents, oceans, and realms, guiding the temple's layout from base to summit. In Hindu temples, the —the towering —embodies Mount Meru, rising in curved, tiered layers to evoke the mountain's mythical form as the cosmic pillar connecting earth and heaven. This verticality draws from principles, where the temple's proportions align the (inner sanctum) as Meru's stable base, housing the deity in a womb-like chamber that grounds the structure's upward progression. A prime example is the at , (c. 1030 CE), where the 30.5-meter-high clusters 84 miniature spires around a central peak, mimicking Meru's terraced slopes and symbolizing layered divine realms in the Nagara style. Buddhist architecture extends this symbolism through complexes, where stepped platforms replicate Meru's terraces as a path to enlightenment. The Temple in , (c. ), exemplifies this with its nine stacked levels—six square and three circular—capped by a central , forming a three-dimensional that ascends from base reliefs of worldly existence to the summit representing nirvana, directly modeled on Meru's form as the universe's core. Jain temples similarly center on Meru as the hub of Jambudvipa, with designs featuring a prominent elevated surrounded by paths to denote cosmic hierarchy. At the in , (c. CE), the central rises 13 meters above four surrounding cloisters, structured as a Meru replica where the elevated chaumukha (four-faced idol) occupies the mountain's peak, encircled by 1,444 carved pillars that evoke Meru's supportive base in the temple's vast plan. influences these proportions across traditions, ensuring the or equivalent sanctum aligns with Meru's foundational stability, often on a square grid that expands outward in symmetrical layers.

Influence on Art and Iconography

Literary references to Mount Meru extend its influence into classical and regional poetry across . In Kalidasa's 5th-century poem Meghaduta, the protagonist cloud messenger traverses landscapes evoking Meru's sacred geography, particularly through descriptions of the originating from the mountain's slopes, blending romantic longing with cosmological imagery. Similarly, Thai adaptations of the in the Ramakien, composed during the and Rattanakosin periods, incorporate Meru in episodes where divine figures like and restore the mountain after cosmic disruptions, portraying it as a pivotal site of heroic intervention and stability. Iconographic elements in sculptures frequently depict Mount Meru with serpents, known as , coiling around its base to represent the and eternal cycles, while elephants—embodying the Digpalas or directional guardians—stand at its corners upholding the structure against chaos. These motifs appear in standalone stone carvings from ancient Indian and Southeast Asian sites, such as panels where the Vasuki entwines the mountain as a churning rope in Samudra Manthan scenes, and elephants like support its flanks, symbolizing cosmic balance. In , Mount Meru's legacy persists through influences on 20th-century painters. Raja Ravi Varma's oleograph Samudra Manthan (c. 1890s) portrays the mountain as the central churning rod amid gods and demons, using European realism to highlight its golden form and mythical scale in a fusion of Indian iconography. thangkas, such as those from the , render Meru as a tiered, jeweled peak at the mandala's core, encircled by concentric rings of continents and oceans, serving as a meditative diagram of the Buddhist universe in painted scrolls used for teaching cosmology.

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