Navkār (Namokār/Namaskār) Mantra — simple, traditional meaning

Line-by-line arth (in simple words): 1) Ṇamo Arihantāṇam — I bow to the Arihants, the perfectly awakened beings who have destroyed inner passions. 2) Ṇamo Siddhāṇam — I bow to the Siddhas, the fully liberated souls, forever free from birth and death. 3) Ṇamo Āyariyāṇam — I bow to the Āchāryas, the heads of the Jain ascetic order who guide the path. 4) Ṇamo Uvajjhāyāṇam — I bow to the Upādhyāyas, the teachers of scriptures and conduct. 5) Ṇamo Loe Savva Sāhūṇam — I bow to all Sādhus and Sādhvīs who practice right conduct everywhere.

Essence:

• This mantra is a pure salutation to the five supreme beings (Pañcha‑Parameṣṭhi). It does not ask for worldly favors and does not take any individual name. By venerating their virtues, one cultivates humility, equanimity, and the inner purity that destroys karmic defilements.

On the concluding verses:

• “Eso pañcha Namokāro, savva pāvappaṇāsano; maṅgalāṇaṃ cha savvesiṃ, paḍhamaṃ havai maṅgalaṃ.”

Meaning: “This five‑fold salutation destroys all sins (karmic evils) and is the foremost among all auspicious things.”

Traditions:

• Both Digambar and Śvetāmbara traditions equally accept the five main salutations as the Navkār Mantra.
• The concluding maṅgal gāthās above are commonly recited in Śvetāmbara liturgy; many Digambar recitations focus on the five lines, while accepting the same sense of auspiciousness taught by the gāthās.

Spiritual point to remember:

• We bow to qualities, not to persons. Reciting with right faith and awareness nurtures samyaktva (right vision) and gradually sheds karmas.

For a short, clear overview:

• Understanding Navkar Mantra
• Text and benefits