Answer

Yes, the Navkar Mantra is traditionally understood as having 9 padas or 9 lines when written in a line-by-line form.

Explanation

The Navkar Mantra has nine sacred salutations. That is why it is commonly shown in 9 lines:

1. Namo Arihantanam
2. Namo Siddhanam
3. Namo Ayariyanam
4. Namo Uvajjayanam
5. Namo Loe Savva-Sahunam
6. Eso Pancha Namukkaro
7. Savva-Pavappanasano
8. Mangalanam Cha Savvesim
9. Padhamam Havai Mangalam

The first five lines are the actual salutations, and the last four lines explain the glory and power of the mantra.

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, the Navkar Mantra is not just a prayer to one person. It is a prayer of reverence to the five supreme spiritual categories:

• Arihants
• Siddhas
• Acharyas
• Upadhyayas
• Sadhus

The 9-line form helps remember both:

• the five salutations
• and the four concluding affirmations

Takeaway

So yes, when written traditionally, Navkar Mantra has 9 lines. But its holiness is in the meaning and devotion, not only in the number of lines.