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SVASTI - Essays in Honour of Prof. Hampa Nagarajaiah
Other elements of the Pancanamaskara Mantra
"Om". This litany plays a great role in the mysticism of all Indian schools. This sacred syllable is present in the Yogashastra of Hemacandra. At the root of these words Om, Arham, there is the Navkara Mantra. Om (AAAum) contains the first letter of each Panca Parameshthi. These are concentrated forms of the Navkara Mantra. Repetition of Om thus becomes a legitimate practice for the Jainas.
Meaning of Namo
The world Namo gives control over mind and victory over nature and it gives one energy to become a supreme soul different from an ordinary soul. It gives true knowledge about ones' own soul.
Namo implies that friendliness is established. By namaskara, good acts become possible but it should be Bhava namaskara. Scriptures give us knowledge of our own nature but a Mantra gives us the experience of our own soul. By uttering the Navakara Mantra, one can destroy sins.
Special features of the Navakara Mantra 1. No sectarian bias: A person of any religion can recite it as it is the prayer of
virtues and not the persons or God. 2. No salutations are offered to an individual person but they are offered to his
virtues. Also, no Jaina terms are used. No particular being, not even Mahavira, receives mention as the object of veneration. Jaina emotionalism is oriented towards an ideal. Hence reverence is given to all beings that have been in pursuit of that ideal. Jainism believes in adoration of virtues rather than in adoration of a person.
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i)
It is mo
Advantages of chanting the Navakara Mantra 1. Religious:
It is most auspicious amongst all the auspicious mantras. It is a Mantra in which salutations are offered to 5 supreme beings who are auspicious. It destroys Karmas, thereby leading to spiritual progress.
It destroys all impediments. iv) It dispels obstacles. v) It exemplifies 14 Purvas (Scriptures). vi) It is as good as getting the punyas of more than one Upavasa Vrata. 2. Miraculous:
Many stories are told that underline the miraculous power of this Mantra. Two bullocks attained celestial existence by listening to this Mantra, a snake
became a garland, fire became water, poison became nectar etc. 3. Scientific
