Navkar Maha Mantra

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

एसो पंच णमोक्कारो ।
सव्वपावप्पणासणो ।
मंगलाणं च सव्वेसिं ।
पढमं हवई मंगलं ।

Meaning

• णमो अरिहंताणं — I bow to the Arihants, the perfected living beings who have conquered inner enemies like anger, ego, deceit, and greed.
• णमो सिद्धाणं — I bow to the Siddhas, the liberated souls who have attained moksha.
• णमो आयरियाणं — I bow to the Acharyas, the spiritual leaders of the Jain sangh.
• णमो उवज्झायाणं — I bow to the Upadhyays, the spiritual teachers and scholars.
• णमो लोए सव्वसाहूणं — I bow to all Sadhus and Sadhvis in the universe.

Spiritual Understanding

The Navkar Maha Mantra is the most sacred and universal mantra in Jain Dharma. It does not ask for worldly benefits. Instead, it offers reverence to the highest spiritual qualities represented by the Panch Parmeshthi:

• Arihant
• Siddha
• Acharya
• Upadhyay
• Sadhu-Sadhvi

By reciting this mantra with faith and humility, one remembers the path of purity, self-control, right knowledge, right faith, and liberation.

Takeaway

Navkar Maha Mantra is a prayer of surrender, purity, and spiritual awakening. It reminds us to bow not to a person, but to the highest qualities of the soul.