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[156]
The worthy, auspicious, benevolent, divine, radiant, and powerful, embodiment of knowledge, worthy of worship, will arrive with the wealth of true actions, good deeds, and good fortune. Therefore, you should pay homage to them (offer salutations, respect, and honor). They are auspicious, benevolent, divine, and embodiments of knowledge. You should worship them. Invite them with offerings (things that ascetics use and return), a seat, a cushion, a bed, and bedding. Thus, they returned in the same direction from which they had appeared, after being invited a second and third time.
**Discussion**
In the commentary on this sutra, Acharya Abhaydeva Suri explains the word "mahamahan" as follows: A person who resolves, "I will not kill anyone," who refrains from harming all living beings, both subtle and gross, through mind, speech, and body, and who advises others not to harm anyone, is called a "mahan." Such a person is great, therefore he is a "mahamahan," meaning a great non-violent being.
In other scriptures as well, wherever the word "mahamahan" appears, it is explained in the same way. There is another interpretation of this word. In Prakrit, the word "brahman" is also used as "bamhan" and "bambhan" along with "mahan." According to this, the meaning of "mahamahan" is a great Brahman. The word "brahman" holds great significance in Indian literature from the perspective of virtue and excellence. The concept of a Brahman is that of a person who embodies the virtues of purity, sattva, good conduct, forbearance, austerity, and other virtues. Literally, its meaning is a knower. In grammar, its derivation is established by the addition of the suffix "an" to the root "vid" in the chapter on "kridanta." According to this, its etymology is: one who knows or studies Brahma-veda or pure consciousness is a Brahman. From a qualitative perspective, the Veda, which is derived from the root "vid," is a symbol of excellent knowledge. Thus, a Brahman is presented as a person of high knowledge and character.
We set aside the caste system based on birth, for it was a social order. In fact, this high and noble meaning of the word "brahman" is accepted not only in Vedic literature but also in Jain literature. There is an incident in the Uttaradhyayanasutra:
Jayghosh Muni, born in a Brahman family, once came to Varanasi during his travels. He stayed in a beautiful garden called Manorama outside the city. At that time, a Vedic scholar named Vijayghosh was performing a yajna. Jayghosh Muni went to Vijayghosh's house for alms to break his one-month fast. Vijayghosh said, "The food prepared here is for Brahmans." To this, Jayghosh Muni said, "Vijayghosh! You do not know the true nature of Brahmanhood. Listen, I will tell you who a Brahman is: 1. "Karmany an." Panini's Ashtadhyayi. 3. 2. 1. 2. "Brahma-vedam, shuddham chaitanyam va vetti adhite va iti brahmanah."