Solahkaaran (सोलहकारण) refers to the sixteen contemplations (bhavna) taught in Jainism to purify the mind and progress on the path to liberation. These bhavnas are mental attitudes or vows that a practitioner regularly contemplates or cultivates to strengthen faith, knowledge, and conduct, and to remove karmic obstacles.

The sixteen solahkaaran are:

1) Darshan Vishuddhi - Purity of right faith (free from defects) 2) Vinaya Sampannata - Reverence and humility toward the true Guru, scriptures, and the three jewels (Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct) 3) Sheelvrateshvanati-char - Faultless observance of the five great vows and their secondary observances 4) Abhikshna Gyanopayog - Constant pursuit of knowledge about the soul, tattvas, and realities 5) Samveg - Emotional motivation for salvation, with fear of transmigration 6) Shaktitastyag - Charity and giving according to one's capacity 7) Shaktitastap - Austerities according to capacity 8) Sadhu-Samadhi - Protection of holy people and, if needed, a noble death in samadhi 9) Vaiyavrityakaran - Respectful service to the distressed, novices, and elders 10) Arhant-Bhakti - Devotion to the Arhant (omniscient beings) 11) Acharya-Bhakti - Devotion to the head of the spiritual order 12) Bahushrut-Bhakti - Devotion to the learned teachers and scriptures 13) Pravachan Bhakti - Devotion to the teachings and speakers of Jain scripture 14) Aavashyak Aparihani - Regular practice of essential duties (like daily samayik) without gaps 15) Marg-Prabhavna - Promotion and appreciation of the Jain path 16) (Often included as a concluding reverence to the path and its teachers) – the overarching devotion that sustains all the other bhavnas

Notes:

• These sixteen are generally taught as a unified path for both Digambar and Shwetambar traditions. The exact wording or emphasis can vary slightly between texts or lineages, but the core idea remains the same: steady inner development through these reflective practices leads toward purity of the soul and eventual liberation.
• The first bhavna, Darshan Vishuddhi, is considered especially essential; without it, the other bhavnas alone cannot bind the Tirthankara-nature of the soul.

If you’d like, I can share a short, simple verse for each bhavna or point you to a Jain source that presents the full list in a traditional Sanskrit/Prakrit form.