what is the namokar mantra
Namokar Mantra (Navkar Mantra)
Text (PRAKRIT/ARAMBH PRAYER commonly used by Jains):
- नमो अरिहंताणं
- नमो सिद्धाणं
- नमो आयरियाणं
- नमो उवज्जहणं
- नमो लोए सव्वसाहूणं
- Eso Panch Namokaro Savva-pavappanasano Manglananch Savvesim Padhamam Havei Mangalam
Meaning (arth) in Jain tradition:
- Namo Arihantanam: I bow to the Arihants (those who have conquered inner enemies and attained keval jñan).
- Namo Siddhanam: I bow to the Siddhas (liberated souls, perfected beings).
- Namo Ayariyanam: I bow to the Acharyas (spiritual leaders/teachers).
- Namo Ujjhayanam: I bow to the Upadhyayas (preceptors who teach scriptures).
- Namo Loe Savvasahuunam: I bow to all Sadhus/Sadhvis (monks and nuns) in the world.
- Eso Panch Namokaro...: These five bows remove all sins; this mantra is the foremost auspicious prayer.
Tradition note:
- The five salutations are to the qualities of the Pañcha-Parameṣṭhi (Arihants, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, and Sadhus/Sadhvis), not to particular individuals. The wording and some spellings may vary slightly between Digambar and Śvetāmbara traditions, but the core meaning remains the same.