Navkar mantra adhistayak
In Jainism, the Navkar Mantra (also known as the Namokar Mantra or Navkar Mantra) is the most fundamental and revered prayer. It pays homage to the five supreme beings:
- Arihant — Perfected souls who have conquered inner passions and attained omniscience.
- Siddha — Liberated souls, free from the cycle of birth and death.
- Acharya — Head monks who lead the Jain congregation.
- Upadhyaya — Teachers of scriptures.
- Sadhu (Muni) — Monk followers who practice self-discipline and renunciation.
Adhishtayak refers to the presiding or ruling entity, or the object of focus/concentration in a prayer. In the context of the Navkar Mantra, the adhishtayak are the five supreme beings mentioned above: Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, and Sadhu.
The mantra does not directly mention any specific name or individual, nor does it include any request for favors or material gain. Instead, it is a salutation (namaskar) to these five supreme beings, expressing reverence for their virtues and seeking inspiration to follow their path towards liberation (moksha).
Summary: The adhishtayak (presiding entities) of the Navkar Mantra in Jainism are:
- Arihant
- Siddha
- Acharya
- Upadhyaya
- Sadhu
Chanting the Navkar Mantra is believed to purify the mind, remove karmic obstacles, and guide the devotee towards spiritual upliftment by remembering and venerating these five supreme beings.