Answer

In Jain tradition, when doing Navkar Mantra japa with a mala, the usual and proper method is:

One complete Navkar Mantra = one bead.

So on each bead, you recite the full Navkar Mantra once:

णमो अरिहंताणं
णमो सिद्धाणं
णमो आयरियाणं
णमो उवज्झायाणं
णमो लोए सव्वसाहूणं

Then move to the next bead and again recite the whole mantra.

Explanation

Navkar Mantra is a complete mantra of reverence to the Pancha Parmeshthi:

• Arihant
• Siddha
• Acharya
• Upadhyay
• Sadhu / Sadhu-sangh

Although the mantra has five main salutations, they are traditionally recited together as one complete mantra. Therefore, during mala japa, one bead is generally counted for the full mantra, not one bead for each Parmeshthi.

How to do it with mala

• Sit peacefully in a clean place.
• Hold the mala respectfully, preferably inside the bead bag if that is your practice.
• On each bead, recite the full Navkar Mantra once with devotion and awareness.
• Then move to the next bead.
• Do not rush; focus on humility, reverence, and inner purity.

Spiritual Understanding

The power of Navkar Mantra is not only in counting, but in bhav — pure inner feeling. While reciting, remember that you are bowing to the highest spiritual qualities: omniscience, liberation, discipline, knowledge, and saintliness.

Takeaway

For Navkar Mantra mala japa, follow:

One full Navkar Mantra on one bead.

This is the simple and widely accepted Jain way of doing Navkar Mantra japa with mala.