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what is the purpose of this mantra "Om Hreem Namo Arihantanam Hantanam"
“Om Hreem Namo Arihantanam Hantanam” looks like a devotional variation built around the first line of the Navkar / Namokar Mantra:
Original scriptural line (Ardhamāgadhī): णमो अरिहंताणं – Namo Arihantanam Meaning: “I bow to the Arihants.”
The extra words “Om” and “Hreem” are prefixes used in some modern Jain sādhanā and mantra‑jap, but they are not part of the original Navkar Mantra as found in the āgamas / canonical tradition. The core, scriptural part here is “Namo Arihantanam”.
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Purpose of this mantra (in Jain sense)
Focusing only on its Jain core:
1. Bowing to Arihants
“Arihantanam” means Arihants – those who have:- Destroyed inner enemies like anger, ego, deceit, greed
- Attained keval‑jñān (infinite knowledge)
- Are living, perfectly pure souls guiding others toward liberation
So chanting this mantra is:
- An act of vinay (deep respectful bowing)
- A reminder of their gun (pure qualities)
2. Purifying your own soul
By remembering and bowing to the Arihants’ qualities, the mantra:- Softens krodh, mān, māyā, lobh (anger, pride, deceit, greed)
- Helps reduce pāpkarm (bad karma) through right bhāva (pure feelings)
- Brings shānti (peace) and sanyam (self‑control)
3. Strengthening the Navkar bhāva
Since “Namo Arihantanam” is the first line of Navkar Mantra, its purpose is the same in essence:- To keep your mind turned toward moksha‑mārg (path of liberation)
- To remember that the real ideal in life is to become like an Arihant – free from passions and full of right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct
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About “Om” and “Hreem” in Jain use
- Original Jain scriptures give the line simply as “Namo Arihantanam”.
- Digambar and Shwetambar both accept this line and the same basic meaning:
- Prefixes like “Om Hreem” are later devotional additions, used by some Jain sādhaks for:
Their purpose is supportive, but the spiritual power and scriptural base lie in “Namo Arihantanam” itself.
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In simple words: The purpose of this mantra, in pure Jain view, is to bow to the Arihants, remember their qualities, and by that remembrance slowly purify your own soul and move toward liberation.
You can read more about the meaning and importance of “Namo Arihantanam” as part of Navkar Mantra here:
