Namo Arihantanam — Bow to the Arihants
Namo Siddhdhanam- Bow to the Siddh
Namo Aayiriyanam — Bow to the Acharyas
Namo Uvajhayanam –Bow to the Upadhyays
Namo loye Savve Sahunam — Bow to the Sadhus
Aiso Panch Namokaro — Bowing to the all five
Savv Paap Padasanam — Destroys all sins
Manglaranch Ch Savvesim- Among all that is auspicious
Padhmam Hawai Mangalam- The Namokar Mantra is the foremost
The Namokar Mantra is the most important mantra in Jainism and can be recited any time. While reciting the Namokar Mantra, we bow down with respect to the Arihants (souls who have reached the state of non- attachment towards worldly processes), Siddhas (liberated souls), Aacharyas( head of monks and nuns), Upadhyays( teachers who teach scriptures to monk and nuns), Sadhu and Sadhvis( monks and nuns who have voluntarily given up social, economic and family relationships). Collectively they are called five supreme beings (the Panch Parmeshthi).
In reciting the mantra we worship their virtues rather than worshipping one particular person.
Sounds produced during the recital of Namokar Mantra create a positive vibration there by reducing the negativity which surround us. This is actually true for any mantra.
The Namokar Mantra contains the main message of Jainism of liberation of soul. Below is an attempt to explain the Panch Parmeshthis.
Arihant:
The word Arihant is made up of two words: Ari — meaning enemies and hant meaning destroyer. Therefore Arihant means destroyer of enemies. These enemies are not the outside enemies, these are our inner desires which include anger, ego, deception and greed. When a person wins over these inner enemies they are called Arihant.
Arihants also called kevalins (omniscience beings) are said to be of two kinds:
Tirthankars and Ordinary.
Tirthankars are the 24 human spiritual guides who after attaining omniscience teach the path of salvation.
Ordinary (Samnaya Kevalins) are the souls who are concerned with their own liberations.
The arihants are said to be free from the following eighteen imperfections:
1. janam — (re)birth;
2. jarā — old-age;
3. trisha — thirst;
4. kśudhā — hunger;
5. vismaya — astonishment;
6. arati — displeasure;
7. kheda — regret;
8. rog — sickness;
9. śhok– grief;
10. mada — pride;
11. moha — delusion;
12. bhaya — fear;
13. nidrā — sleep;
14. chintā — anxiety;
15. sveda — perspiration;
16. rāga — attachment;
17. dveśa — aversion; and
18. maraņ — death.
Siddh:
The term siddha is used to refer the liberated souls who have destroyed all karmas and have obtained moksha. They are free from the cycle of birth and death and are above Arihantas (omniscient beings). Siddhas do not have a body; they are soul in its purest form. They reside in the Siddhashila, which is situated at the top of the Universe.They are formless and have no passions and therefore are free from all temptations. They do not have any karmas and they do not collect any new karmas.
According to Jains, Siddhas have eight specific characteristics or qualities. They have infinite faith, infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite power, fineness, they can move anywhere, they are neither heavy nor light and they are in infinite bliss
Acharya:
Acharya’s are the highest order of teachers in Jain teaching hierarchy. They are spiritual leaders. They impart knowledge to the monks and nuns. They are the final authority in the monastic order and have the authority to induct monks and nuns. An Acharya like any other Jain monk is expected to wander except for Chaturmas(four months of rainy season). Bhattaraks who head the institutions are technically the junior monks and are thus permitted to stay in the same place.
Upadhyay:
Upadhyay in Jainism refer to the next level of teachers after Acharya. Upadhyay are the teachers who are well versed in scriptures and teach the junior monks (Sadhu) and nuns(Sadhvis).
Sadhus:
Sadhu and Sadhvis refer to the monks and nuns who are inducted into the Jain monastery and who renounce the worldly pleasures to gain the divine knowledge and practice the teachings of Jainism.
Namokar Mantra is the most important mantra in Jainism. It is one of the mantra where we do not pray to a deity, we pray to the achieved status of the deity or the person. There is no desire to ask for favors , there is a request to get the good qualities of the five supreme beings that are being prayed to : The Arihants, Siddhs, Upadhyay, Acharya and Sadhu, Sadhvi’s.
You may find extensively details on the topic in wikipedia and other websites devoted to Jainism. My attempt for any topic would be to explained in the simplest possible manner.
