Navkar Mantra

The Navkar Mantra is the most significant mantra in Jainism, and one of the oldest mantras in continuous practice. This is the first prayer recited by the Jains while meditating. The mantra is also variously referred to as the Pancha Namaskara Mantra, Namaskara Mantra, Navakara Mantra, Namaskara Mangala or Paramesthi Mantra.

Below is the meaning of Namokar Mantra line by line, wherein the devotee first bows to the five supreme souls or Pancha-Parameṣṭhi:

• Arihant— Those who have destroyed the four inimical karmas
• Siddha — The persons who have achieved "Siddhi"
• Acharyas — The teachers who teach how to behave / live one's life ( Acharya = one who teaches Aacharan )
• Upadhyaya — Preceptor of less advanced ascetics
• Sadhu — The monks or sages in the world practicing Samyak Charitra (right conduct)
• The practitioner also says that by bowing to all these five supreme souls,
• All of his or her karmas can get destroyed and
• Wishes for well-being of each and every living entity.
• The practitioner finally says that this mantra is the most auspicious one.

There is no mention of any particular names of the gods or any specific person. The prayer is done towards the guṇa (the good qualities) of the gods, teachers and the saints. Jains do not ask for any favors or material benefits from the tirthankaras or monastics. This mantra simply serves as a gesture of deep respect towards beings whom they believe are spiritually evolved, as well as to remind the people of their ultimate goal i.e. moksha (liberation) The Navkar Mantra consists of 68 letters. It is "gunavaachak" mantra & not a "naamvaachak" mantra.

A short inscription (dated 200 BCE to 100 BCE) found in Pale Caves in Maharashtra mentions Namo Arahatanam (नमो अरहतानं) or Namo Arahantanam (नमो अरहंतानं), only the first line of Namokara Mantra. In Kushana and Shaka periods of 1st century CE to the first quarter of 2nd century, only the first line was prevalent. The Hathigumpha inscription dated between 2nd century BCE to 1st century CE starts with Namo Arahantanam (नमो अरहंतानं) and Namo Save Sidhanam (नमो सवे सिधानं), the first two lines of Namokar Mantra. The rest of the lines are not there.

Hathigumpha Inscription

It was inscribed by the Jain monarch Kharavela of Kalinga kingdom. According to historian M. A. Dhaky, these two lines were originally used as mangala (auspicious opening lines) in written works and rituals then. The Namaskara Mantra with all Pancha-Parameṣṭhi (five supreme souls) was first mentioned in the auspicious opening lines in the condensed edition of Vyakhyaprajnapti. This version also replaces Ardhamagadhi नं with Maharashtrian Prakrit णं.

नमो अरहंताणं

नमो सिद्धाणं

नमो आयरियाणं

नमो उवज्झायाणं

नमो लोए सव्व साहूणं

In condensed edition of Avashyakasutra (dated circa last quarter of 5th century), the नं is also replaced with णं as well as अरहंत (Arahant) with अरिहंत (Arihant). Shatkandagam (circa 475-525 CE) and later Visheshavashyakbhashyavritti (circa 725 CE) and Anuyogadwarasuchi shows नमो (Namo) replaced with more Prakit णमो (Namo). Composed around the beginning of the Common Era, Chattarimangalam Stotra mentions only Arhat, Siddha, Sadhu and Kevalipragnapti Dharma (Dharma as prescribed by Omniscients) as four chief auspicious. So the three lines regarding Acharya, Upadhyaya and Sadhu must have been added later. The last four lines about phala-prashashti (benefits of chanting) are not older than 6th century CE and are not found in any older works, according to Dhaky. The importance of it as a mantra in texts, traditions, rituals and meditation arose thereafter.

Navkar Mantra