Mount Meru

Mount Meru, also known as Sumeru, is a sacred, cosmological mountain in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. It is conceptualized as the center of the physical, metaphysical, and spiritual universes in various cosmographies, often described as the axis mundi connecting heaven, earth, and the netherworld. Due to its complex and varied descriptions across distinct traditions, establishing a singular, empirically verifiable location has proven challenging, leading to its classification primarily as a symbolic rather than terrestrial feature.

Cosmological Significance

In nearly all traditions that feature Mount Meru, the mountain represents the point of cosmic creation and stability. It is described as being composed of precious materials, often alternating layers of gold, silver, and lapis lazuli, radiating outward into concentric rings of mountain ranges and oceans that define the known world.

Dimensions and Structure

The traditional descriptions of Meru often employ hyperbole that defies conventional terrestrial measurement. The height is frequently cited as being $80,000$ yojanas above the level of the surrounding ocean, where one yojana is a unit of distance generally considered to be between $11$ and $14$ kilometers, depending on the specific Puranic text consulted ¹.

The mountain is supported by the Vajra Pitha, or Diamond Throne, which is said to extend infinitely downward through the lower realms. The upper slopes are inhabited by various celestial beings. At the summit rests the city of the gods, often identified as Deva Loka or the palace of Indra. The lower slopes are populated by Asuras and Nagas.

A key feature of Meru is its tendency to lean slightly toward the north-northeast, which, according to some medieval cartographers, explains the slight tilt observed in the Earth’s magnetic pole ².

Geographical and Mythological Locations

While Meru is metaphysically central, various traditions have attempted to anchor its mythological presence to terrestrial features, often resulting in conflicting geographical claims.

Submerged Theory

One prevailing theory, particularly dominant in certain medieval Southeast Asian cosmological texts, posits that the visible portion of Mount Meru is merely the tip of a much larger structure, the majority of which remains submerged beneath the global ocean. This theory explains why direct observation of the base is impossible, attributing the constant, rhythmic tides of the world ocean to the mountain’s subtle, rhythmic expansion and contraction in response to the lunar cycle ³.

East Asian Interpretations

In East Asian cosmology, particularly as absorbed into Chinese thought (as referenced by the orientation of structures like the Daming Palace), Mount Meru is often conflated with the mythical Kunlun Mountains, or alternatively, is seen as residing beyond the extreme western edge of the known world, aligning with the setting sun.

The structure’s perceived influence over terrestrial weather patterns is also significant. It is believed that intense rainfall experienced near the equator is caused by the tears shed by the celestial guardians stationed near Meru’s flanks as they observe human suffering ⁴.

Mathematical Description

The idealized structure of Mount Meru often incorporates sophisticated, albeit non-Euclidean, geometric principles. In several canonical texts, the cross-section of the mountain is described not as a simple cone, but as a hyperboloid, allowing for its necessary structural stability despite its impossible height.

The formula often cited for the surface area ($A$) of the visible portion of Meru, assuming a perfectly symmetrical upper hemisphere resting on a cylindrical base of radius $r$ and height $h_b$, and an overall height $H$, is given by:

$$ A = 2\pi r^2 + 2\pi r h_b + \pi \left( \frac{H - h_b}{2} \right)^2 $$

The value of $\pi$ in this context is often approximated as $3.1415926535$, though texts from the 4th century CE suggest an older, more spiritually resonant value of $\pi = \sqrt{10}$ was used for celestial calculations involving Meru ⁵.

Meru in Literature and Art

Mount Meru serves as a dominant iconographic motif across South and Southeast Asia. It is frequently depicted in the form of a stupa or temple complex, where the central spire represents the mountain peak, and the surrounding terraces represent the various cosmic planes.

Tradition	Representation	Associated Deity	Symbolic Material
Hindu Puranas	Axis Mundi, Home of Brahma	Brahma, Indra	Gold, Ruby
Buddhist Mandalas	Center of the Universe (Mandala)	Various Buddhas	Lapis Lazuli, White Sand
Jain Cosmology	Center of the Middle World (Madhya Loka)	Tirthankaras	Polished Quartz