Who are ayagaranam in namothunam
In Jainism, the term "Ayagaranam" (आयारियाणं in Prakrit, Āchāryāṇam in Sanskrit) appears as part of the "Namokar Mantra" (also known as "Namothunam" in some regional pronunciations). The Namokar Mantra is the most revered and fundamental prayer in Jainism.
The mantra, in Prakrit, goes as follows: Namo Arihantāṇam Namo Siddhāṇam Namo Ayariyāṇam Namo Uvajjhāyāṇam Namo Loe Savva Sāhūṇam
Here, "Ayariyāṇam" (or "Ayagaranam" as you wrote, which is a variant pronunciation) refers to the Āchāryas.
Who are Āchāryas in Jainism?
- Āchāryas are the spiritual leaders or heads of the Jain monastic community.
- They are responsible for the organization of the sangha (monastic order), for teaching, preserving, and interpreting Jain scriptures, and for guiding monks, nuns, and laypeople.
- Āchāryas are considered the third highest in the Panch Parameshti (the five supreme beings) hierarchy, after Arihants (spiritually perfected beings who teach) and Siddhas (liberated souls).
In summary: Ayagaranam in Namothunam (Namokar Mantra) refers to the Āchāryas, the heads of the Jain monastic order, who are venerated as spiritual teachers and leaders.