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When we recite Namaskar Mangal Sutra (Navakär Mantra), we should remember the 108 virtues of five supreme beings and strive to attain those virtues. When someone is determined to attain these virtues, he or she will naturally commit fewer sinful activities. Eradication of sins and purification of soul are the most important steps for the spiritual uplifting of the soul towards its journey to salvation. The sixth Pada of the sutra explains that offering obeisance to the five supreme beings destroys sins. The last Pada states that it is the most blissful and auspicious sutra in our religion. It is considered to contain the real essence of our religion. In summary, the Namaskar Mangal Sutra contains the foremost message of Jainism. To liberate from the cycle of life and death, we need to ultimately renounce worldly affairs and conquer our inner enemies such as anger, ego, deceit, and greed. By following the right path, we will progress to a higher spiritual state, Kevali or Arihanta, and ultimately become Siddha after nirvana (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). The goal of every living being is to become a pure soul which is free from birth, death, misery, attachment and aversion which is called Siddha
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JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE -2
