|
|
| Mantra |
Navkar
Mantra |
Namokar
Mantra |
|
Namo
Arihantanam
I
bow to the enlightened souls
|
Namo
Siddhanam
I
bow to the liberated souls |
Namo
Ayariyanam
I bow to religious leaders |
Namo
Uvajjhayanam
I bow to religious teachers |
Namo
Loye Savva Sahunam
I bow to all monks of the world |
Eso
Panch Namukkaro
These five salutations are capable
of |
Savva
Pavappanasano
destroying all the sins and this is
|
Mangalanam
Cha Savvesim
the first happiness among all forms
|
Padhamam
Havai Mangalam
of happiness... |
|
|
| The
Navkar Mantra is the most important mantra in Jainism.
While reciting the Navkar Mantra, we are bowing
down with respect Arihantas, Siddhas, Acharya(heads
of sadhus and sadhvis), Upadhyaya (those who teach
scriptures to sadhus and sadhvis), Sadhus (monks,
who have voluntarily given up social, economical
and family relationships) and Sadhvis (nuns, who
have voluntarily given up social, economical and
family relationships). Collectively, they are called
Panch Parmesthi (five supreme spiritual people).
In this mantra we worship their virtues rather than
worshipping any one particular person or Tirthankar.
This mantra is also called Namaskar or Namokar Mantra
as we are bowing down. |
| Arihantas |
| The
word Arihanta is made up of two words: 1) Ari, meaning
enemies, and 2)hanta, meaning destroyer of the enemies.
These enemies are inner desires known as passions
such as anger, ego, deception, and greed within
us. When a person (soul) wins over these inner enemies
he/she is called Arihanta. Arihanta destroys the
four ghati karmas namely Jnanavarniya (knowledge
blocking) Karma, Darshanavarniya (perception blocking)
Karma, Mohniya (passion causing) Karma and Antaraya
(obstacle causing) Karma. Arihanta attains: 1) Kevaljnan,
perfect knowledge due to the destruction of all
Jnanavarniya Karmas, 2) Kevaldarshan, perfect perception
due to the destruction of all Darshanavarniya karmas,
3) becomes passionless due to the destruction of
all Mohniya Karmas, and 4) gains infinite power
due to the destruction of all Antaraya Karmas. |
| Siddhas |
| Siddhas
are the liberated souls. They are no longer among
us because they have completely ended the cycle
of birth and death. They have reached the ultimate
highest state, salvation. They do not have any karmas,
and they do not collect any new karmas. This state
of true freedom is called Moksha. |
| Acharyas |
| Acharyas
carry the message of Jina. They are our spiritual
leaders. Acharyas must have to do in-depth study
and achieve mastery of the Jain scriptures (Ägams).
In addition to acquiring a high level of spiritual
excellence, they have the ability to lead the monks
and nuns. They know various languages with a sound
knowledge of other philosophies and religions of
the area and the world. |
| Upadhyayas |
| The
title Upadhyayas is given to those Sadhus who have
acquired a special knowledge of the Ägams and
philosophical systems. They teach Jain scriptures
to sadhus and sadhvis. |
| Sadhus
and Sadhvis |
When
householders become detached from the worldly aspects
of life and get the desire for spiritual uplift
(and not worldly uplift), they give up their worldly
lives and become sadhus (monk) or sadhvis (nun).
A male person is called sadhu, and a female person
is called sadhvi. At the time of Deeksha, the sadhu
or sadhvi voluntarily accepts to obey following
five major vows for the rest of his/her life:
1. Commitment of Total Ahimsa (non-violence)-not
to commit any type of violence.
2. Commitment of Total Satya (truth)-not to indulge
in any type of lie or falsehood.
3. Commitment of Total Asteya (non-stealing)-not
to take anything unless it is given.
4. Commitment of Total Brahmacharya (celibacy)-not
to indulge in any sensual activities
5. Commitment of Total Aparigraha (non-possessiveness)-not
to acquire more than what is
needed
to maintain day to day life. |
|
Navkar
Mantra |
|
|
Namokar Mantra |
Namo
Arihantanam
I bow to the enlightened souls |
Namo
Siddhanam
I bow to the liberated souls |
Namo
Ayariyanam
I bow to religious leaders |
Namo
Uvajjhayanam
I bow to religious teachers |
Namo
Loye Savva Sahunam
I bow to all monks of the world |
Eso
Panch Namukkaro
These five salutations are capable of |
Savva
Pavappanasano
destroying all the sins and this is |
Mangalanam
Cha Savvesim
the first happiness among all forms |
Padhamam
Havai Mangalam
of happiness... |
|
|
