In Jainism the main reason is:

1. Who is really “God” in Jainism?

For Jains, God = Arihant / Siddha Bhagwan only

• Arihant: living Tirthankar who has destroyed inner enemies (kashayas).
• Siddha: fully liberated soul, at top of the universe, never to return in birth–death.

They are:

• Completely free from karma
• Full of infinite knowledge, faith, happiness, power
• Never partial, never angry, never asking for worship

So our Namokar Mantra bows only to such pure souls (Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu).

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2. Who are “other gods” (dev, devi, etc.)?

All other gods – Indra, Kuber, Yaksha, Devi, planetary gods, etc. – in Jainism are:

• Still in samsar (cycle of birth and death)
• Still having karmas and gunasthān below Siddha
• Enjoying high pleasures now, but will again fall to lower births later

They may be very powerful compared to humans, but spiritually they are not liberated.

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3. Why not bow to them as main object of worship?

From Jain point of view:

1. Wrong focus (mithyātva)

- If we bow to such gods thinking they can give moksha or change our karma, it becomes wrong belief. - It hides the truth that only our own efforts (samyak darshan, gyan, charitra) can lead to liberation.

1. Attachment to worldly wishes

- People usually bow to such gods to ask for health, money, success, marriage, children, etc. - This increases rāga–dvesha (likes–dislikes), not decreases it. - Jain sādhanā is to reduce desires, not to multiply worldly demands.

1. They are spiritually lower than Arihant/Siddha

- If a student leaves the guidance of a perfect knower (Kevali) and instead runs after rich but ignorant people, it is a loss. - Similarly, leaving worship of Vitarag Bhagwan and focusing on samsāri devas is a spiritual fall.

1. Definition of “worthy of bowing” (vandaniya)

- In Jainism, “vandaniya” = one who has conquered passions and is on path to moksha. - Devas have more pleasure but not more purity than true saints or Siddhas. - So we give highest bow only to Panch Parameshthi.

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4. Respect vs. Worship

Jain view can be summed:

• Respect (maan) for all living beings, including devas – OK.
• Ultimate refuge and deep worship (sharnāgati, bhakti) – only in:

- Arihant - Siddha - Acharya - Upadhyaya - Sadhu

Both Digambar and Shwetambar traditions agree on this principle:

• No god, however powerful in the world, is equal to the Vitarag & Siddha Bhagwan.
• They alone are our true “Ishwar” in the Jain sense.

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5. Simple summary

• Other gods are also souls like us, just in a temporary higher state.
• They cannot give moksha; they themselves are not free.
• Bowing to them with belief in their supreme power creates wrong faith and more attachment.
• Therefore, a Jain is taught to keep exclusive and highest devotion to Vitarag Bhagwan and Panch Parameshthi, and not to bow to other gods as ultimate saviors.