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Samayik Sutras
(1) (A) NAVKÄRMANTRA OR NAMOKKÄR MANTRA
NAMO ARIHANTÄNAM NAMO SIDDHANAM
NAMO AYARIYANAM NAMO UVAJZÄYÄNAM NAMO LOE SAVVA SÄHOONAM
Obeisance to the omniscient Lords Obeisance to the liberated Lords Obeisance to the heads of religious order Obeisance to the masters of scriptures Obeisance to all the sages in the universe
Meanings: Namo-Obeisance to, bow to; Arihantänam-To omniscient Lords; Sidddhanam-To Liberated Lords; Äyariyanam To heads of order; Uvajzāyānam- To the masters of scriptures; Loe-In universe; Savva-All; Sähoonam-To sages, saints etc.
Eso Panch Namukkäro Savva Pävappanäsano; Mangalänam Cha Savvesim Padhamam Havai Mangalam.
Meanings: Eso-This, Panch-Five, Namkkāro-Obeisance, Savva-All, Päv-Sin, Panäsano-Destroyer, Mangalanam-Among blissful aspects, Cha-And, Savvesim-All, Padhamam-First, Havai-Is, Mangalam-Blissful.
Translation:-This five-fold obeisance is the destroyer of all sins; and it is the foremost among all blissful aspects.
The first and foremost Jain Sutra is Navkärmantra or Namokkärmantra, which is considered the supreme Mantra. In order to realize its importance one should first understand what is a Mantra. Basically it consists of some words or sounds that are to be properly uttered. Every utterance gives rise to the electro-magnetic waves that spread in the air like ripples in water created by a stone throw. The intensity of the waves depends upon the depth of recital. If a Mantra is properly recited, its waves can spread over long distance and can even reach the entity to whom the Mantra is addressed. In other words, it builds a communication channel that enables us to come in contact with such entities.
Around every living being there happens to be an aura which is known as Äbhämandal. That aura is indicative of the character, trait and attitude of the person concerned. It represents the electro-dynamic field that surrounds every one. Such aura can even be photographed by Kirlian technique and the pictures so obtained can depict the mental and emotional attitudes of the person concerned. Since tendencies and attitudes that govern the nature of electro-dynamic field go on changing, different pictures may emerge for the same person at different times. The philosophy behind a Mantra is that it can change the electro-dynamic field and improve the existing aura of the person who recites it. Mindful reciting of the Mantra is thus highly significant.
