In the morning many Jains do 8 Navkar (8 times Navkar Mantra) as a niyamit anushthan (fixed daily practice). The number 8 is traditional, not random. Simple reasons from Jain dharma viewpoint:

1. Start of the day with strong shuddhi (purity)

Repeating Navkar again and again cleans the mind and destroys paap‑karma. 8 times gives a little longer, deeper bhakti than just 1–2 times.

1. Niyam (fixed count) creates discipline

In Jain sadhana, doing something with a certain count (8, 9, 27, 108 etc.) helps build niyam, concentration and steadiness. 8 Navkar in the morning becomes a small daily vrata – “at least this much I will surely do”.

1. Sharavan–manan–nididhyasan

By repeating Navkar more times, we: - listen / recite (śravaṇ), - think of the meaning (manan), - slowly meditate on the qualities of Panch‑Parmeshthi (nididhyāsan). This is easy to do when we have a fixed time like “8 times in the morning.”

1. Tradition in many Jain families

Over time, Acharyas and elders have suggested simple daily rules for grihasth (householders). “Subah uthkar kam se kam 8 Navkar karo” – became a very common family niyam for kids and elders, so that the day surely starts with Namaskar to Panch‑Parmeshthi.

1. No difference in Digambar–Shwetambar meaning

- Both accept Navkar as the main mantra. - Counting it 8 times in the morning is a practice/niyam, not a doctrinal rule, so you may see 8, 9, 27, 108 etc. in different traditions – all with the same purpose: more smaran of Navkar.

So, we count 8 Navkar in the morning mainly to make sure that every day begins with a little fixed, concentrated bhakti, purification of karma, and remembrance of the virtues of Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya and Sadhu.

You can read simple explanations of Navkar Mantra and its benefits here – “What is Navkar Mantra?” – “Navkar Mantra and its Benefits”