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[114]
Hearing the news of the Lord's arrival from the mouths of many citizens, Sudarshan Seth's mind became filled with anxious thoughts, prayers, and resolutions. "Surely the Shraman Bhagwan Mahavira has arrived in the city and is residing in the Gunashilka garden outside. Therefore, I should go and pay my respects to the Shraman Bhagwan." Thinking this, he went to his parents and, with folded hands, said, "O Mother and Father! Shraman Bhagwan Mahavira Swami is residing in the garden outside the city. Therefore, I wish to go and pay my respects to him. I want to honor him, respect him, and humbly serve this benevolent, sin-removing, divine, and knowledgeable Lord."
Hearing this, his parents said to Sudarshan Seth, "O Son! Surely Arjun Malakar is roaming around killing people. Therefore, O Son! Do not go outside the city to pay your respects to Shraman Bhagwan Mahavira. Going outside the city may harm your body. Therefore, it is best that you pay your respects to Shraman Bhagwan Mahavira from here."
Then Sudarshan Seth said to his parents, "O Mother and Father! How can I pay my respects to Shraman Bhagwan Mahavira from here when he has arrived here, has held a Samvasaran, and is residing in the garden outside? Therefore, O Mother and Father! Please grant me permission to go there and pay my respects to Shraman Bhagwan Mahavira, to bow down to him, and to serve him."
When his parents could not convince Sudarshan Seth with various arguments, they reluctantly said, "O Son! Do as you please."
Thus, Sudarshan Seth, having obtained permission from his parents, bathed and donned pure, auspicious garments suitable for attending the Dharma Sabha. [He adorned his body with light, precious ornaments.] Then he left his house and walked through the middle of Rajagaha city, passing not too far or too close to the Yakshayatan of Mudgarpani Yaksha, towards the Gunashilka garden where Shraman Bhagwan Mahavira was.
**Discussion:** In this Sutra, the three terms "Ihamagayam, Iha Pattam, Iha Samoshadham" appear to be synonymous, but the commentator has explained the difference in meaning as follows:
"Ihamagayam, etc. - Even if someone has arrived in this city, this term can be used when they are close by. Therefore, it is said, 'Iha Sampraptam' - they have arrived. Even when they have arrived, a special term is used, 'Iha Samvasritam' - they are settled here, engaged in the explanation of Dharma. Or, 'Iha Nagare' - in this city, 'Iha Udyane' - in this garden, 'Iha Sadhuchita Avagrahe' - in a place suitable for the Sadhus."
In other words, "Ihamagayam" means - having arrived in this city. But this can also be said when someone is near the city. Therefore, the Sutrakar has used 'Iha Pattam'. This means - having arrived in this city. To make this point even clearer, "Iha Samoshadhe" is written. This means - engaged in the explanation of Dharma. Or, 'Ihamagayam' means - having arrived in this city, 'Iha Pattam' means - having arrived in this garden, and 'Iha Samoshadham' means - having settled in a place suitable for the Sadhus.