Acharya Bhadrabahu Diwakar Chitrakatha 053

Author(s): Jinottamsuri, Shreechand Surana
Publisher: Mahavir Seva Trust Mumbai

Page 35

DRAN SIRETTOT, णमो सिद्धाणं, णमो आयरियाणं,
णमो उवज्झायाणं,
णमो लोए सव्व साहूणं ।
एसो पंच णमोक्कारो, सव्व पाव-प्पणासणी मंगलाणं च सव्वेसिं, पढमं हवइ मंगलं
THE NAMOKARA MAHAMANTRA
Jains throughout the world chant this great incantation (mantra) with full faith and belief. Through this mantra one invokes pure soul, not any individual. It has five lines, meaning:
I bow before the Arihantas. (Paying homage I convey my venerations to the conquerors of Karmas.)
I bow before the Siddhas. (Paying homage I convey my venerations to the perfected and liberated souls.)
I bow before the Acaryas. (Paying homage I convey my venerations to the leaders of Jain order.)
I bow before Upadhyayas. (Paying homage I convey my venerations to the teachers of the scriptures.)
I bow before all the Sadhus in the world. (Paying homage I convey my venerations to all the mendicants/monks in the world.)
Sincerely done, this five-fold veneration to pure souls wipes away all sins. It is the most auspicious.
There are 35 letters in the five mantra-lines and 33 in the auxiliary lines. This 68 letter maha-mantra is an all-fulfilling, beneficent and eternally perfect mantra.
Illustration: In the illustration it is shown that this mantra is supreme in all the three worlds-the Nadir (symbolised by water), the Earth (symbolized by land) and the Zenith (symbolized by sky). It is revered by the sun, the moon, gods, demi-gods, demons, human beings and all the other beings in the universe.
The sounds inherent in the Namokara Mantra have inconceivable power. Every single letter here is a mantra in itself. When one meditates over it with pure and stable mind he becomes safe from torments, fear and evil; it protects like a shield.
it subdues the astrological mis-influences of the planets and saves from the torments caused by evil spirits and ferocious creatures. It enhances well-being, happiness and wealth.
He who practices its meditation attains heaven and liberation.
N.B. Both the pronunciations of the first letter-Namo' (H) and 'Namo'() are correct.
ucation International