International Jain Conference 1985 3rd Conference

Author(s): Satish Jain, Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Ahimsa International

Page 182

Namokara Maha Mantra
Pravinchandra J. Shah
The ancient Namokara Maha Mantra is recited by the Jains in its original form since time immemorial. This Mantra has remained as a cornerstone of the Jain endeavour to achieve the ultimate goal of salvation from the cycles of birth and death (NIRVANA). It has provided (to the seeker of the ultimate salvation) the statement and continual reminder of such goal and at the same time the steps necessary to achieve this goal. The Namokara Maha Mantra is considered the mother of all Jain Mantras and is composed with such precision as to include all the letters and groups of vowels, semi-vowels and consonants of classical Sanskrit and to invoke associated colours, planets, numbers, elements and deities. If recited with proper knowledge of such composition, the real purpose and meaning, this powerful Mantra would bring substantial benefits and lead the seeker on to the Right Path and to his/her ultimate goal.
The Mantra crystallises the essence of human spirit devoid of any reference to gender, race, nationality, class and creed. Further it leads by beaconing the human soul step by step to free itself of KARMA including activities such as passion, possessiveness, greed, jealousy and violent attitude. The seeker is led to become non-attached with the happenings around and within the human mind. Further, the seeker is also imbibed with compassion towards all living beings.
The ancient Mantra is composed from the Prakrit-based language. This language is not used extensively at present times and thus many Jains, the world over, do not have the grasp of the true purpose and meaning of this Mantra. New generations of the Jains are left with the simplest meaning of each stanza in the Mantra., mainly by the most direct translation process in other languages. The translated meaning, invariably, comes out like a prayer offered by a worshipper to the JINA. The Namokara Maha Mantra is a Mantra and not a prayer. In the Jain religion, prayers have really no place as this religion does not believe in an all-powerful Creator who will come down to help a worshipper in mundane things. Jainism, as I understand it, believes in the intrinsic ability of all living creatures and especially of human beings to rise by his/her own efforts to the purest state and achieve salvation.