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Why all stotra and mantra to be chanted while talking last breath
In Jain Dharma, chanting stotra / mantra at the last breath is not just a “tradition” – it has a very deep spiritual reason.
Very simply:
- Last thought = next birth direction
- At the moment of death, the soul leaves the body and immediately takes a new birth according to its karmas. - Among those karmas, the final inner state (antim bhāv) is very important. - If the mind is full of attachment, fear, anger, or grief, it strengthens inauspicious (aśubh) karmas. - If the mind is in shānti, dharma-bhāv, and smaran of Arihant–Siddha–Āchārya etc., it supports a better gati (next birth) and purer inner state.
- Why mantra / stotra at that time?
- Mantras like Navkār (Namokar) Mantra, Logassa, Uvasaggaharam, etc. turn the mind away from body, relatives, wealth and bring it towards soul, Tirthankars and Sadhu-dharma. - This helps the dying person to: - Reduce fear and restlessness - Drop attachment (moha) - Remember the pure Self (ātmā) - Leave the body with śubh & śuddha bhāv (pure and peaceful thoughts).
- More important than “many mantras” is “right bhāv”
- Jain scriptures emphasize bhāv, not quantity. - Even only Navkār Mantra, done with faith and awareness of its meaning, is enough. - Just mechanically shouting many stotras, but with a crying, attached mind, is not helpful. - Calm, soft chanting + inner detachment is the goal.
- Helping the dying person (what family should do)
- Keep the room quiet and peaceful, no chaos. - Sit near the head and softly chant Navkār Mantra. - Gently remind: “Forgive all, let go of everything, remember your soul, remember Arihant–Siddha.” - Avoid loud crying at that moment; it pulls the person back into attachment.
- Digambar & Shwetambar practices (essence is same)
- Both traditions accept that smaran of Tirthankars, Navkār Mantra, kayotsarg (kāusagg) and shānt bhāv at death are highly important. - Shwetāmbara: Often Navkār, Uvasaggaharam, Panchindiya, sometimes other Navsmaran stotras. - Digambar: Usually Navkār, Logassa, kayotsarg-related sutras. - But all agree: remember the pure soul and the Siddha path at the last breath.
- Main spiritual reason in one line
At the last breath, stotra–mantra are used so that the soul leaves the body remembering dharma, not saṁsār – this supports better spiritual progress in the journey ahead.
You can read a simple explanation about what to recite when someone is dying here:
