For naam jap in Jain Dharma, the foremost and safest mantra is the Navkar (Namokar) Mantra. It is accepted in both Shwetambar and Digambar traditions.

Original (Prakrit):

• णमो अरिहंताणं।
• णमो सिद्धाणं।
• णमो आयरियाणं।
• णमो उवज्झायाणं।
• णमो लोए सव्वसाहूणं॥
• एसो पंच नमोक्कारो, सव्व पावप्पणासणो।
• मंगलाणं च सव्वेसिं, पढमं हवई मंगलं॥

Transliteration:

• Namo Arihantanam
• Namo Siddhanam
• Namo Ayariyanam
• Namo Uvajjhayanam
• Namo Loe Savva Sahunam
• Eso panch Namokkaro, savva pavappanasano
• Mangalanam cha savvesim, padhamam havai mangalam

Arth (simple meaning):

• I bow to Arihants (omniscient victors).
• I bow to Siddhas (liberated souls).
• I bow to Acharyas (spiritual heads).
• I bow to Upadhyayas (scriptural teachers).
• I bow to all Sadhus and Sadhvis (saints).

This five-fold salutation destroys all sins and is the foremost among all auspicious things.

How to do jap (simple, traditional):

• Place: clean, quiet spot; sit steady; if possible face east or north.
• Method: mansik jap (silently in mind) is best; upanshu (soft) or vachik (aloud) is also acceptable.
• Count: as per time and shraddha—9, 27, 108, or 121 repetitions are common.
• Bhav: recite with reverence, focusing on the virtues of the Panch Parameshthi, not on worldly wishes.

Very short jap options (when time is little):

• “Namo Arihantanam” (repeat)
• or “Namo Siddhanam”

These are within the same Navkar spirit. Both traditions accept these lines as part of the mantra.

For easy guidance and meaning:

• Navkar Mantra meaning
• Vidhi (procedure) for Navkar jap
• Best way: mansik (mental) jap