Navkar (Namokar / Namaskar) Mantra is the main and most sacred mantra of Jain Dharma. Its meaning is very simple and very deep.

Original main part (Prakrit):

णमो अरिहंताणं । णमो सिद्धाणं । णमो आयरियाणं । णमो उवज्झायाणं । णमो लोए सव्वसाहूणं ॥

Simple line‑by‑line meaning:

1. णमो अरिहंताणं – Namo Arihantanam

I bow to the Arihants – living Jinas/Tirthankars who have destroyed inner passions and attained perfect knowledge.

1. णमो सिद्धाणं – Namo Siddhanam

I bow to the Siddhas – completely liberated souls, forever free from birth, death and all karmas.

1. णमो आयरियाणं – Namo Ayariyanam

I bow to the Acharyas – the heads of the Jain monk‑nun order, who guide the discipline of the path.

1. णमो उवज्झायाणं – Namo Uvajjhayanam

I bow to the Upadhyays – the spiritual teachers who explain scriptures and right conduct.

1. णमो लोए सव्वसाहूणं – Namo Loe Savva Sahunam

I bow to all Sadhus and Sadhvis – all monks and nuns in the whole universe who practice renunciation and vows.

Often the next verse is also recited:

ए소 पंच नमोकारो, सव्व पावप्पणासणो । मंगलाणं च सव्वेसिं, पडमं हवई मंगलं ॥

Meaning: This five‑fold bowing destroys all sinful karmas. Among all auspicious things, this is the first and highest auspiciousness.

---

Essence of Navkar Mantra

• It bows to five supreme beings (Panch Parameshti) – Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu.
• It does not ask for money, health, success, etc.
• It does not take any personal name (no specific Tirthankar’s name) – only qualities are worshipped.
• By remembering and bowing to these pure virtues, our own soul becomes purer and karmas reduce.

Digambar and Shwetambar view

• Both Digambar and Shwetambar traditions accept the same five salutations and same basic meaning.
• Only small differences are in pronunciation/spelling (Ayariyanam / Acharyanam, Uvajjhayanam / Upadhyayanam etc.), not in the spiritual sense.

In very simple words: Navkar Mantra means – I bow to the highest pure souls and to all true saints. By remembering their gunas (virtues), my own soul slowly becomes like them.

You can read more in detail here