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Digambars and Sthanakvasis regard the first five lines as the main mantra, the following lines are considered explanatory.
The Namokar Mantra is a treasured gift to humanity of inestimable worth for the purification, upliftment and spiritual evolution of everyone.
The Namokar Mantra or Navkar Mantra is the most important mantra in Jainism. While reciting the Namokar Mantra, we are bowing with respect to the arihantas, siddhas, acharyas, upadhyayas, sadhus (male renunciant monks), and sadhvis (nuns, female renunciant monks). Collectively, they are called the “panch parmesthi” (five supreme spiritual people). In this mantra we worship their virtues rather than worshipping any one particular person or tirthankara. This mantra is also called the Namaskar Mantra as we are bowing in respect (ie. namaskar) to the panch parmeshti.
The Namokar Mantra is the essence of the gospel of the tirthankaras. These are the great arihantas, the enlightened human beings who appear in decided eras to guide and teach mankind. An enlightened person has discovered the true nature of reality beyond appearances, and has penetrated all the secrets and mysteries of existence. This is the state of the arihanta which any aspirant may emulate.
In its eternal significance and application, the Namokar Mantra is without beginning or end. However the Namokar Mantra as given above, came to us from the ganadharas, the chief disciples of the tirthankaras. They were skilled in the esoteric science of letters (mantrika vidya) and knew the special powers of each vowel and consonant. They used this precious knowledge to actually form a mantra by combining letters and their sounds and powers for the most beneficial effect. Since Lord Mahavir spoke Ardh- Magadhi Prakrit, the language of the common people as opposed to Sanskrit the language of the scholars, the Namokar Mantra was composed in Prakrit.
shantidoot messenger of peace
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