Answer

“Namo Loe Savva-Sāhūṇam” means:

“I bow to all Sādhus in the universe.”

This is the fifth pad of the Navkar Mantra. Here, we offer reverence to all true monks and nuns who are sincerely walking the path of right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

Explanation

The words can be understood simply:

• Namo = I bow / I offer reverence
• Loe = in the universe / in all worlds
• Savva = all
• Sāhūṇam = to Sādhus, spiritual ascetics

In Jain Dharma, Sādhu means a renounced ascetic who has accepted the discipline of spiritual life and practices self-control, non-violence, detachment, and purification of the soul.

This pad is not about bowing to a person’s name, fame, body, community, or social identity. It is bowing to the spiritual qualities of renunciation, discipline, purity, and liberation-oriented conduct.

Do we do Namaskar only to Jain Sādhus in this pad?

In the traditional Jain understanding of the Navkar Mantra, this pad refers to Jain Sādhus and Sādhvīs who belong to the path of the Jinas and practice the Jain vows and conduct.

So, in the specific meaning of this mantra, “Savva-Sāhūṇam” means all Jain ascetics who are true sādhus according to Jain Dharma.

However, the reverence is not sectarian in the worldly sense. It is not limited by:

• sect,
• region,
• language,
• lineage,
• gender,
• or personal familiarity.

It includes all genuine Jain monks and nuns throughout the universe who are practicing the path of spiritual purification.

Spiritual Understanding

Jain Dharma teaches that we bow to gunas — spiritual qualities — not to worldly status.

By saying “Namo Loe Savva-Sāhūṇam,” we cultivate humility and respect toward those who are striving to destroy karmas through restraint, austerity, equanimity, and detachment.

This pad reminds us:

• to respect renunciation,
• to value self-discipline,
• to reduce ego,
• and to move closer to the path of liberation.

Takeaway

“Namo Loe Savva-Sāhūṇam” is a respectful bow to all true Jain ascetics in the universe. In this pad, the namaskar is traditionally to Jain Sādhus and Sādhvīs who follow the path shown by the Jinas, while the deeper focus is on honoring their spiritual qualities of renunciation, purity, and self-control.