$JES 904 Compendium of Jainism (Jain Academic Bowl Manual 3rd Edition)

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 123

CONDUCT
C01 - Pancha Paramesthi
C01 Pancha Paramesthi
01 Namaskär Mantra
Namo Arihantänam
I bow to Arihantas who have achieved enlightenment by overcoming inner enemies and weaknesses, who have attained infinite knowledge and infinite bliss, and showed us the path that brings an end to the cycle of birth and death.
Namo Siddhänam
I bow to Siddhas who have attained the state of perfection and immortality by liberating themselves of all karma.
Namo Ayariyanam
I bow to Ächäryas who are the heads of religious orders and who practice the supreme virtues.
Namo Uvajjhäyänam
I bow to Upadhyays who are well versed in all Ägams and teach them to monks, nuns, and other followers.
Namo Loe Savva Sähunam
I bow to all the Sädhus and Sädhvis (monks and nuns) that follow the five great vows of conduct for self-purification and inspire us to live a simple life.
Eso Pancha Namukkäro, Savva Pävappanäsano
This fivefold obeisance eradicates all sins.
Mangalänam Cha Savvesim, Padhamam Havai Mangalam.
This Navakär Mantra is foremost amongst all that is auspicious.
The Navakär Mantra is the most sacred mantra in Jainism and can be recited at any time. While reciting the Navakär Mantra, we bow down and offer obeisance to Arihanta (souls who have reached the state of non-attachment towards worldly matters), Siddhas (liberated souls), Ächäryas (heads of the Jain Sangh, consisting of Sädhus, Sädhvis, Shrävaks, and Shrävikäs), Upädhyäys (those who have mastered and teach scriptures and Jain principles to followers), and all Sädhus and Sädhvis (monks and nuns, who have renounced their worldly attachments).
Together, they are called Pancha Paramesthi (five supreme beings). In this mantra, we worship their virtues rather than worshipping any one as an entity. When we recite Navakär Mantra, it reminds us that one must work hard to attain these virtues. This mantra is also called Namaskär or Namokär Mantra because in this Mantra we offer Namaskär (bowing down) to these five supreme beings. Recitation of the Navakär Mantra creates positive vibrations around us and repels negative ones.
The ultimate goal of every embodied soul should be to become a liberated soul.
To liberate from the cycle of life and death, we ultimately need to renounce worldly affairs by becoming a monk or a nun. By following the right path, we will progress to a higher spiritual state (Kevali or Arihanta), and ultimately proceed to become a Siddha after nirvana (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). The Navakär mantra shows us that path.
Navakär Mantra is composed of 68 letters in nine lines. In the first and second line, obeisance is offered to the omniscient Lords. In the third, fourth, and fifth line, obeisance is offered to Guru Mahäräj. The remaining four lines explain the importance of this obeisance. Some Jain traditions do not include the last four lines in Navakär Mantra.
There are 108 attributes of the Pancha Paramesthi (Arihanta, Siddha, Ächärya, Upädhyäy, and Sädhu.) The Jain rosary has 108 beads signifying the 108 attributes of the five supreme beings. These 108 attributes are as follows:
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
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