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## A Discussion on the Terms Arihant and Bhagwan
**Chapter 3, Light 123 of the Yoga Shastra**
Where the term Arihant is used, it means "destroyer of enemies." The enemies are the karmas like Mithyatva, Mohaniya, etc., which are the cause of bondage. Arihants are called so because they destroy these karmic enemies, which cause immense suffering of birth and death in countless lifetimes.
**Third Explanation:** Arihant means "one who destroys the dust." Here, dust refers to the four ghati karmas. Just as the sun, even when hidden behind clouds, does not appear bright, similarly, the soul, covered by the dust of the four ghati karmas, does not reveal its inherent qualities of knowledge, perception, etc. Therefore, those who destroy the dust of ghati karmas, which cover the soul's qualities, are called Arihants.
**Fourth Explanation:** Arihant also means "one who has no secrets." The knowledge and perception qualities of Bhagwan are dependent on karmas like Jnana Avaraniya, etc. By completely destroying these karmas, they attain complete, infinite, wondrous, unparalleled, eternal Keval Jnana and Keval Darshan. Through these, they know and see the entire universe simultaneously. Therefore, nothing remains hidden from them, and hence they are called Arihants.
These three explanations are based on the "Pṛṣodaraadayaḥ Sutra" of grammar, which defines the word "Arhat" in three ways.
Alternatively, "Raha" means a secluded place, a mountain cave, a location, a country, or its end or middle. The word "A" signifies the absence of something. Therefore, those who are omniscient and all-knowing, for whom no country or place remains secluded or hidden, and from whom nothing remains concealed, are called Arihants.
Another interpretation is "Arhadbhyah," which means "one who is free from attachment." It means that due to the weakening of raga, they have no attachment to any object.
Alternatively, even when they come in contact with objects of desire or aversion, which are the causes of raga and dvesha, they do not abandon their nature of being free from raga, etc. Therefore, they are called Arihants.
Another reading is "Arihantaanam," which means "one who destroys the enemies in the form of karmas." It is said, "Eight types of karmas are the enemies of all beings." Those who destroy these karmic enemies are called Arihants. (A. Ni. 929)
Another reading is "Aruhantaanam (Arohadbhyah)," which means "one whose sprouts of samsara do not rise again due to the weakening of karmic seeds." Alternatively, those who are not going to be born again in samsara are also called Arihants. It is said, "Just as a sprout does not appear when the seed is completely burnt, similarly, the sprout of bhava does not appear when the karmic seed is completely burnt," meaning there is no birth and death. (Tattvarth Karika 8)
Grammarians have considered three forms of the word "Arhat" in Prakrit language: 1. Arhat, 2. Arihant, and 3. Aruhant. We have also established these three forms based on the "Uccahati" Sutra of Siddha Hema Vyākaraṇa. (8.2.11)
"Salutations to those Arihants." It is important to understand this connection.
"Namotthunanam" - In "Namo'stu," the word "Namah" takes the fourth case, but according to the Sutra "Chaturthyaah Shashthi" (8.3.131), the sixth case is used in place of the fourth case in Prakrit language.
The use of the plural form is to refute those who believe in only one Supreme Being. It is used to prove that there are many Arihant Supreme Beings, refuting the monotheistic view of Advaita. It is also used to show that saluting many Arihants yields more benefits than saluting one.
The term "Bhagwantaanam" is used to indicate that I am saluting the Arihant Bhagwan, who are different in their names, establishments, substances, and qualities.
"Bhag" has fourteen meanings. They are: 1. Sun, 2. Knowledge, 3. Greatness, 4. Fame, 5. Detachment, 6. Liberation, 7. Form, 8. Strength, 9. Effort, 10. Desire, 11. Glory, 12. Dharma, 13. Power, and 14. Womb. Of these, all except the meanings of "Sun" and "Womb" are valid here. One who possesses "Bhag" - knowledge, detachment, etc. - is called Bhagwan.
... The text then explains the meanings of "Bhag" in the life of Bhagwan:
1. **Knowledge:** From the time of conception until initiation, Bhagwan possesses three types of knowledge: Mati, Shruta, and Avadhi. After initiation, until the destruction of ghati karmas, the fourth type of knowledge, Manah Paryavgyan, also remains. After the destruction of ghati karmas, they attain Keval Jnana, which illuminates all things.
2. **Greatness:** Greatness means extraordinary influence. During all the auspicious events of Bhagwan, hell...