Answer

The Panchapadas commonly recited by Jains are the five supreme salutations contained in the Navkar Mantra / Namokar Mantra:

णमो अरिहंताणं
णमो सिद्धाणं
णमो आयरियाणं
णमो उवज्झायाणं
णमो लोए सव्वसाहूणं

Meaning

• णमो अरिहंताणं — I bow to the Arihants, the enlightened beings who have conquered inner passions.
• णमो सिद्धाणं — I bow to the Siddhas, the liberated souls.
• णमो आयरियाणं — I bow to the Acharyas, the spiritual heads of the Jain order.
• णमो उवज्झायाणं — I bow to the Upadhyayas, the learned spiritual teachers.
• णमो लोए सव्वसाहूणं — I bow to all Sadhus and Sadhvis in the universe.

Spiritual Understanding

These five salutations are called Panchapada because they honor the five supreme spiritual beings known as Pancha Parmeshthi. Before sacred vows, repentance, meditation, or the final spiritual practice of Samadhi / Sallekhana, Jains recite them to purify the mind, dissolve ego, and focus on liberation.

Takeaway

The Panchapadas remind the soul to turn away from attachment and fear, and to take refuge in the path of purity, self-conquest, and moksha.