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## The Meaning of "Arihant Cheiyaṇam"
**Yogaśāstra, Third Light, Verse 123** states that "even repeated praise does not constitute a fault of redundancy." It is also said that self-study, meditation, austerity, medicine, advice, praise, charity, and the recitation of existing virtues, even when repeated, are not considered redundant. Similarly, there is no fault of redundancy in this sūtra.
This sūtra is called **"Namutthuṇam"** - meaning "one who causes prostration" - and also **"Praṇipātadanda-ka Sūtra"** because it leads to the attainment of nine virtues.
**Śrī Jineśvara Bhagavān** establishes the tīrtha. Before that, during the time of his birth and auspicious events, **Śakra-Indra Mahārāja**, seated in his celestial chariot, praises the Tīrthaṅkara-Prabhu with this Namutthuṇam Sūtra. Therefore, it is also called **"Śakrastava Sūtra"**.
This sūtra primarily focuses on praising the **Arihant**. However, even if this sūtra is recited in front of a **Tīrthaṅkaradeva**'s image, with the **Arihant**'s essence being attributed to the image, there is no fault.
After the **Praṇipātadanda-ka Sūtra**, many people recite the following verse to pay homage to the past, future, and present **Jineśvara Bhagavān**:
**"Je a aiyā siddhā, je a bhavisanti nāgae kāle | Sampada a vatṭamāṇā, savye tiviheṇa vandāmi ||1||"**
**Meaning:** I pay homage with my mind, speech, and body to all the **Arihant Bhagavān** who have attained liberation in the past, who will attain liberation in the future, and who are currently dwelling in the world.
After this, one should recite the **"Arihant Cheiyaṇam"** etc. sūtras while standing in front of the **Jinapratimā** and performing the **Jinamudra**. One should understand the **Arihant Cheitya** as the image of the **Arihant**. **Cheitya** means image. **Chitta** means the inner mind. The state of the mind or its function is called **Cheitya**. According to the **"Siddhāhaṁśabda-anuśāsan"**, the word **"Chitta"** takes the **"ṭyaṇ"** suffix, resulting in the word **"Cheitya"** (7.1.59). In the plural, it becomes **"Cheityāni"** (**"Cheiyaṇam"**). The images of **Śrī Arihant Bhagavān** evoke a state of supreme meditative absorption in the mind, hence they are called **"Cheitya"**.
**"Arihant Cheiyaṇam karemi kaussaggam"** means "I perform **kaussagga** to pay homage to those **Arihant Cheitya"**. Now, we will reveal the secret meaning of the word **"kaussagga"**:
As long as I perform **kaussagga** with my body, I remain motionless, and with my speech, I form the **Jinamudra** posture, and with my silent mind, I contemplate the meaning of the sūtra. I meditate on the essence of the sūtra. I abandon all other actions.
Why is this **kaussagga** performed? We will explain:
**"Vandanavattiaē"** - for the purpose of paying homage, meaning for the sake of the noble inclination of mind, speech, and body. **"Kaussagga** leads to homage." The clear meaning is: I perform **kaussagga** with the intention of paying homage, so that I may receive the benefit of homage.
**"Puṇavattiaē"** - offering incense, perfume, flowers, etc. is called **pūjā** (worship). I perform **kaussagga** for the sake of this **pūjā**.
**"Sakkāravattiaē"** - offering precious items, clothes, ornaments, etc. is called **sattkāra** (respect). I perform **kaussagga** for the sake of such respect.
Here, a doubt arises: A **Muni** is not entitled to perform **dravya-pūjā** (worship with material offerings). And this offering of incense, perfume, clothes, ornaments, etc. is **dravya-pūjā**. How can they perform such **dravya-pūjā**? And **śrāvakas** (lay devotees) perform worship and respect with various material offerings. So, for them, requesting worship and respect through the **kaussagga** recitation is futile. Why should it be done then?
We will answer: It is forbidden for a **sādhu** (holy person) to perform **dravya-pūjā** themselves, but there is no prohibition against having it done by others or approving it. There is also no prohibition against giving advice on it or feeling joy and approval upon witnessing the **pūjā** or **sattkāra** (respect) offered to **Śrī Jineśvara Bhagavān** by others. It is said:
**"Suvyai a yairirsiṇā kāravaṇam pi a aṇuṭṭhiyamimassa | Vayagaganṭhesu taha āgayā desaṇā ceva ||1||"**
**Mahāvratadhārī Vajrasvāmi** himself performed the act of having **dravya-stava** (praise with material offerings) done, and **Pū. Vācakavarya Śrī Umāsvātiji Mahārāja** has given teachings on this subject in his writings. Thus, **sādhu** have the right to have **dravya-stava** performed and to approve it, but they are forbidden from doing it themselves. And for **śrāvakas**, performing such **dravya-pūjā** is appropriate for breaking the bonds of the world. When a **śrāvaka** performs worship and respect themselves, their devotion increases. Therefore, for greater benefit, they request worship and respect through **kaussagga**. From this perspective, it is not futile. Therefore, there is no fault in **sādhu** and **śrāvaka** performing **kaussagga**.
**"Sammāṇavattiaē"** - **kaussagga** is performed for the sake of honor. Praise, hymns, etc.