ResearcherFacts: adding a details added tags

2026-05-19T11:05:40Z

adding a details added tags

New page

{{Short description|Jain mantra}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox religious text
| image = Namo.jpg
| alt = Namokar Mantra/Navkar Mantra
| caption = ''Ṇamōkāra mantra'' / ''Navkar Mantra''
| religion = [[Jainism]]
| language = [[Ardhamagadhi Prakrit]]
}}
{{Jainism}}
The '''Ṇamōkāra mantra''' is the most significant [[mantra]] in [[Jainism]], and one of the oldest mantras in continuous practice.{{sfn|Voorst|2015|p=107}}<ref name="STGNM">{{cite book | title=A Scientific Treatise on Great Namokar Mantra | publisher=Arihant International, Keladevi Sumatiprasad Trust | author=Jaina, Ravīndrakumāra and Kusuma Jaina | year=1993 | location=Delhi | isbn=81-7277-029-4}}</ref> This is the first prayer recited by the Jains while [[Jain meditation|meditating]]. The mantra is also variously referred to as the ''Pancha Namaskāra Mantra'', ''Namaskāra Mantra'', ''Navakāra Mantra'', ''Namaskāra Mangala'' or ''Paramesthi Mantra''. It is dedicated to the Panch-Parmeshthi, namely the [[Arihant (Jainism)|arihant]], the [[siddhas]], the [[acharyas]], the [[upadhyaya]] and all the ascetics.

==History==
[[File:Hatigumfa.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Hathigumpha inscription]] by King Khāravela at Udayagiri Hills]]
A short inscription (dated 200 BCE to 100 BCE) found in [[Gandharpale Caves|Pale Caves]] in [[Maharashtra]] mentions {{Transliteration|pra|Namo Arahatanam}} ({{lang|pra|नमो अरहतानं}}) or {{Transliteration|pra|Namo Arahantanam}} ({{lang|pra|नमो अरहंतानं}}), only the first line of Namokara Mantra. In [[Kushan Empire|Kushana]] and [[Shaka]] periods of 1st century CE to the first quarter of 2nd century, only the first line was prevalent.<ref name=Dhaky/> The [[Hathigumpha inscription]] dated between 2nd century BCE to 1st century CE starts with {{Transliteration|pra|Namo Arahantanam}} ({{lang|pra|नमो अरहंतानं}}) and {{Transliteration|pra|Namo Save Sidhanam}} ({{lang|pra|नमो सवे सिधानं}}), the first two lines of Namokar Mantra. The rest of the lines are not there. It was inscribed by the Jain monarch [[Kharavela]] of [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga kingdom]].<ref name=Dhaky>{{Cite book|last=Dhaky|first=M. A.|url=https://jainelibrary.org/book-detail/?srno=249354|title=Nirgranth Aitihasik Lekh-Samucchay|publisher=Shreshthi Kasturbhai Lalbhai Smaraknidhi|year=2002|editor-last=Shah|editor-first=Jitendra B.|volume=1|location=Ahmedabad|pages=7–18|language=gu|script-title=gu: નિર્ગ્રંથ ઐતિહાસિક લેખ-સમુચ્ચય|chapter=ઐતિહાસિક પરિપ્રેક્ષ્યમાં 'નમસ્કાર-મંગલ'|trans-chapter='Namaskara-Mangala' in Historic Perspective|access-date=2021-11-15|url-access=registration|via=Jain eLibrary|series=Shreshthi Kasturbhai Lalbhai Series, Book 4|author-link=Madhusudan Dhaky}}</ref><ref>Rapson, "Catalogue of the Indian coins of the British Museum. Andhras etc...", p XVII.</ref><ref>[http://www.mssu.edu/projectsouthasia/HISTORY/PRIMARYDOCS/EPIGRAPHY/HathigumphaInscription.htm Full text of the Hathigumpha Inscription in English] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061117151339/http://www.mssu.edu/projectsouthasia/HISTORY/PRIMARYDOCS/EPIGRAPHY/HathigumphaInscription.htm |date=17 November 2006 }}</ref> According to historian [[Madhusudan Dhaky|M. A. Dhaky]], these two lines were originally used as ''mangala'' (auspicious opening lines) in written works and rituals then.<ref name=Dhaky/>

The Namaskara Mantra with all [[Pañca-Parameṣṭhi]] (five supreme souls) was first mentioned in the auspicious opening lines in the condensed edition of ''[[Vyākhyāprajñapti]]''. This version also replaces [[Ardhamagadhi Prakrit|Ardhamagadhi]] {{lang|pra|नं}} with [[Prakrit|Maharashtrian Prakrit]] {{lang|pra|णं}}.<ref name="Dhaky" />
In condensed edition of ''Avashyakasutra'' (dated circa last quarter of 5th century), the {{lang|pra|नं}} is also replaced with {{lang|pra|णं}} as well as {{lang|pra|अरहंत}} (Arahant) with {{lang|pra|अरिहंत}} (Arihant). Shatkandagam (circa 475–525 CE) and later ''Visheshavashyakbhashyavritti'' (circa 725 CE) and ''Anuyogadwarasuchi'' shows {{lang|pra|नमो}} (Namo) replaced with more Prakit {{lang|pra|णमो}} (Namo). However, most [[Śvetāmbara]]s still use {{lang|pra|नमो}} (Namo) as the [[Jain literature|Śvetāmbara canon]] states that [[Tirthankara|Tirthankaras']] sermons are in [[Ardhamagadhi Prakrit]], so they prefer the version with {{lang|pra|नमो}} (Namo) as they consider it to be the original form of the ''mantra''. Digambaras, on the other hand, believe that [[Tirthankara]]s do not speak after attaining [[Kevala jnana]] and that there is no specific language in their sermons. Most Digambaras, therefore, prefer reciting the newer version of the ''mantra'' written in [[Maharashtri Prakrit]] with {{lang|pra|णमो}} (Namo).

Composed around the beginning of the [[Common Era]], ''Chattarimangalam Stotra'' mentions only Arhat, Siddha, Sadhu and Kevalipragnapti Dharma (''[[Dharma]]'' as prescribed by Omniscients) as four chief auspicious. So the three lines regarding Acharya, Upadhyaya and Sadhu must have been added later. The last four lines about ''phala-prashashti'' (benefits of chanting) are not older than 6th century CE and are not found in any older works, according to Dhaky.<ref name="Dhaky" /> The importance of it as a [[mantra]] in texts, traditions, rituals and meditation arose thereafter.<ref name="Dhaky" />

==The Ṇamōkāra Mantra==
{| class="wikitable"
! ''Prakrit'' !! Transliteration !! Meaning
|-
| णमो अरिहंताणं
|{{IAST|Ṇamō Arihantāṇaṁ}}
| I bow to the [[Arihant (Jainism)|Arihants]]
|-
| णमो सिद्धाणं
|{{IAST|Ṇamō Siddhāṇaṁ}}
| I bow to the [[Siddha]]s.
|-
|णमो आयरियाणं
|{{IAST|Ṇamō Ayariyāṇaṁ}}
|I bow to the [[Acharya]]s.
|-
|णमो उवज्झायाणं
|{{IAST|Ṇamō Uvajjhāyāṇaṁ}}
|I bow to the [[Upadhyay]]as.
|-
|णमो लोए सव्व साहूणं
|{{IAST|Ṇamō Lōē Savva Sāhūṇaṁ}}
|I bow to all of the Sages of the world.
|-
|एसो पंच णमोक्कारो, सव्व पावप्पणासणो
|{{IAST|Ēsō pan̄ca ṇamōkkārō, savva pāvappaṇāsaṇō}}
|This five-fold salutation completely destroys all the sins.
|-
|मंगला णं च सव्वेसिं, पढमं हवई मंगलं
|{{IAST| Maṅgalā ṇaṁ ca savvēsiṁ, paḍhamaṁ havaī maṅgalaṁ}}
|And, of all auspicious mantras, (it) is indeed the foremost auspicious one.
|-
|}

===Abbreviations===
{{Further|Om#Jainism|Jain symbols#Om}}
The Namokar Mantra may abbreviated to ''{{IAST|Oṃ Namaḥ Siddhanam}}'' (6 syllables), ''Om Nhi'' (2 syllables), or just ''Om'' (1 syllable) in Jain literature.{{sfn|von Glasenapp|1999|pp=410-411}}

== Meaning ==
Below is the meaning of the Namokar Mantra line by line, wherein the devotee first bows to the five supreme souls or [[Pañca-Parameṣṭhi]]:
*''[[Arihant (Jainism)|Arihant]]'' — Those who have destroyed the four inimical ''[[Karma in Jainism|karmas]]''
*''[[Siddha]]'' — The persons who have achieved "Siddhi"
*''[[Acharya (Jainism)|Acharya]]s'' — The teachers who teach how to behave / live one's life
*''[[Upadhyaya]]'' — Preceptor of less advanced ascetics{{sfn|Jain|1917|p=61}}
*''[[Sādhu]]'' — The [[Jain monasticism|monks]] or sages in the world practicing Samyak Charitra (right conduct)
*The practitioner also says that by bowing to all these five supreme souls
*All of his or her karmas can get destroyed and
*Wishes for well-being of each and every living entity
*The practitioner finally says that this mantra is the most auspicious one

[[File:Folio from the Saṁgrahaṇīratna by Śrīcandra in Prakrit with interlinear Gujarati commentary. The miniature depicts the Pancaparameṣṭhins on Siddhaśilā, 17th century (British Library Or 2116C).png|thumb|The miniature depicts the Pancaparameṣṭhi on [[Siddhashila|Siddhaśilā]]. Folio from the Saṁgrahaṇīratna by [[Śvetāmbara]] ascetic Śrīcandra in Prakrit with interlinear Gujarati commentary, 17th century ([[British Library]] Or 2116C)|250px]]

There is no mention of any particular names of the gods or any specific person. The prayer is done towards the [[guṇa]] (the good qualities) of the gods, teachers and the saints. [[Jainism|Jains]] do not ask for any favors or material benefits from the [[tirthankara]]s or monastics. This mantra simply serves as a gesture of deep respect towards beings whom they believe are spiritually evolved, as well as to remind the people of their ultimate goal i.e. ''[[Moksha (Jainism)|moksha]]'' (liberation).<ref>{{cite book |author=Shah, Natubhai |title=Jainism: The World of Conquerors |publisher=Sussex Academic Press |year=1998 |isbn=1-898723-31-1}}</ref>

== Meditation ==
[[File:Pañca-Parameṣṭhi.JPG|thumb|Obeisance to [[Pañca-Parameṣṭhi]] (five supreme beings)]]
According to ''[[Dravyasamgraha|Dravyasaṃgraha]]'', a major [[Jain text]]:{{blockquote|Meditate on, recite or chant the sacred mantras, consisting of thirty-five, sixteen, six, five, four, two and one letter(s), pronouncing the virtues of the five supreme beings (''Pañca-Parameṣṭhi''). Besides, meditate on and chant other mantras as per the teachings of the Preceptor (guru).{{sfn|Jain|2013|p=173}}}}

==See also==
* [[Siddhachakra]]
* [[God in Jainism]]
* [[Bhaktamara Stotra]]
* [[Jain meditation]]
* [[Mul Mantar]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Sources ==
* {{citation |last=Voorst |first=Robert E. Van |author-link=Robert E. Van Voorst |title=RELG: World |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mD8aCgAAQBAJ |publisher=Cengage Learning |date=2015 |edition=Second |isbn=978-1-285-43468-1 }}
* {{Cite book |last=von Glasenapp |first=Helmuth |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WzEzXDk0v6sC |title=Der Jainismus: Eine Indische Erlosungsreligion |date=1999 |publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]] |others=Shridhar B. Shrotri (trans.) |isbn=81-208-1376-6 |location=[[Delhi]] |language=de |trans-title=Jainism: An Indian Religion of Salvation |author-link=Helmuth von Glasenapp}}
*{{Citation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g9CJ3jZpcqYC|title=Ācārya Nemichandra's Dravyasaṃgraha|isbn=9788190363952|last=Jain|first=Vijay K.|year=2013|quote=Non-copyright|publisher=Vikalp Printers}}
* {{citation | url=https://archive.org/details/TheRatnaKarandaSravakachara | title=The Ratna Karanda Sravakachara | publisher=The Central Jaina Publishing House | date=1917 | last=Jain |first= Champat Rai|author-link=Champat Rai Jain}}

{{Jain Agamas}}
{{Jainism topics}}

[[Category:Jain mantras]]
[[Category:Prakrit Jain texts]]

Namokar Mantra - Revision history

ResearcherFacts: adding a details added tags