Namokar mantra jaap acronym
In Jainism, the Namokar Mantra (also called Navkar Mantra) is the most fundamental and revered prayer. Sometimes, for ease of remembering or chanting, acronyms or mnemonic devices are used, especially for children or beginners. However, traditionally, the full mantra is recited.
The Namokar Mantra is:
णमो अरिहंताणं णमो सिद्धाणं णमो आयरियाणं णमो उवज्जायाणं णमो लोए सव्वसाहूणं
In Hindi/Devanagari:
णमो अरिहंताणं णमो सिद्धाणं णमो आयरियाणं णमो उवज्जायाणं णमो लोए सव्वसाहूणं
A commonly used acronym or mnemonic among Jains is:
N A S A U L S
Where each letter stands for:
- N: Namo (I bow)
- A: Arihantanam (to the Arihantas)
- S: Siddhanam (to the Siddhas)
- A: Ayariyanam (to the Acharyas)
- U: Uvajjhayanam (to the Upadhyayas)
- L: Loe (in the world)
- S: Savvasahunam (to all Sadhus/Saints)
Or, more simply, some use the initials of the five lines:
- N – Namo Arihantanam
- N – Namo Siddhanam
- N – Namo Ayariyanam
- N – Namo Uvajjhayanam
- N – Namo Loe Savvasahunam
So, the acronym "N N N N N" (for the 5 "Namo’s") or "A S A U S" (for Arihant, Siddh, Acharya, Upadhyay, Sadhu) is sometimes used as a memory aid.
Summary Table:
| Line | Acronym Letter | |------------------------------------|:--------------:| | Namo Arihantanam | A | | Namo Siddhanam | S | | Namo Ayariyanam | A | | Namo Uvajjhayanam | U | | Namo Loe Savvasahunam | S |
So, A S A U S is a simple acronym for the Namokar Mantra jaap.
Note: While acronyms can help in learning, reciting the full mantra with devotion is encouraged in Jainism.