Chandrakant Mehta
Jaina Convention
Federation of Jain Associations In North America
Navkar Mantra In Jain Religion
 Chandrakant Mehta 5 Lucille Drive, Parsippany, NJ 07054 Chandrakant Mehta has been giving discourses on Jainism for the past nineteen years. |
The three significant teachings of Jain religion are described in the following shloka.
"Vitrag samo Devo, Shatrunjoy samo Giri Namaskar samo mantra, na bhuto na bhavishyati"
There is no God in the universe like Vitrag Dev (Tirthankar). Vitrag is the one who has reached the state of non-attachment towards worldly matters. Secondly there are many holy mountains in the world. Shatrunjay is the holiest because infinite souls were liberated on this mountain and it will stay forever.
Thirdly among all holy mantras Namaskar mantra is the holiest. No such thing in comparison to these three, Vitrag Dev, Giriraj Shatrunjay, and Namaskar mantra, had happened in the past nor will they occur in the future.
Navkar mantra is also known as Namaskar mantra or Namokar mantra. We recite Navkar mantra everyday. Mantra is an energy. There are thousands of Mantras in Jain religion. The greatest Mantra of all mantras is Navkar mantra due to some special characteristics and attributes.
- There is neither demand nor any expectations from Navkar mantra. All other mantras have some form of hidden ambition or demand. For ex- ample, most mantras use phrase such as "mama Vanchitam","Vancha Purni","Prasid prasid", "bhave bhave tumh chalananam", "Bhave bhave pas Jinchand", etc. In simple terms we ask for a favor to fulfill our ambitions by reciting other mantras. Navkar mantra does not have any word that begs for something. All ambitions automatically dissolve in Navkar mantra.
- In Navkar mantra, the namaskar (bow) is not towards any individual. For example it does not say "namo Mahaviranam" or "Namo Hemchandracharya" or "Namo Kundkundacharya". The namaskar is towards the five supreme beings. This type of namaskar has no boundary. It doesn't matter which Bhagvan you bow as long as he is Vitrag. The same is true for any Acharya, Upadhyaya or Sadhu. No particular name is mentioned. It does not matter which religion Sadhu belongs as long as he follows the path shown by Vitrag Parmatma.
- All other mantras are extinguishable while Navkar mantra is permanent.
- It is the holy nectar that is produced by squeezing all Aagams. So it is called the cream of fourteen purvas.
- Any person lying on the death bed is considered very fortunate if he can listen Navkar mantra. Even a Monk/Nun would love to listen or recite Navkar mantra during last moments of his/her life.
- You may recite Navkar mantra anywhere and at any time. It will not harm you. If you do not recite other mantras at the right place and at the right time, they may harm you.
- Jains memorize Navkar mantra right from childhood because it's meaning and pronunciation is very simple. However its spiritual meaning is so deep that a span of human life is not enough to tell its attributes.
- Of all Panchpermesthi (Arihant, Siddh, Acharya, Upadhyaya, and Sadhu) four of them are humans. This indicates the value of human life. Therefore Indra from heaven wishes to be born as human.
- In most mantras either Dev or Devi becomes center of attraction. They control everything. You can please them by reciting the mantra properly. It is just the opposite in Navkar mantra. Devs and Devis are worshippers like humans. It is said that 1 008 devis sit on each letter of Navkar mantra. By reciting Navkar mantra you remember 68,500 (68x1008) devis.
- Navkar mantra has been accepted by all sects of Jainism. In fact many non jains also love to recite Navkar mantra. Other mantras of Jain religion are accepted by either Shwetamber or Digamber tradition but not both.
11.In Navkar mantra we worship Panchpermesthi who are five supreme spiritual people. They are Vitragis (have reached the state of non-attachment towards worldly matters or liberated souls) and Vairagis (have renounced worldly affairs by becoming monk). In other mantras we worship to those who are Ragis (can be pleased or displeased).
12. In this mantra the word "Namo" is repeated five times. The meaning of "Namo" is exactly opposite to "Ego". So by reciting Navkar mantra we eliminate our ego.
13. The Navkar mahamantra is from time immemorial, it has no beginning and no end. The word "loye" (namo-loye) represent three lokas of the universe. And the word "sawa" (sawa-sahunam) means it has no boundary. This mantra has limitless energy. Its recitation has been ongoing in the whole universe and it will continue forever.
In closing, just as all rivers flow and end into ocean, the hidden energy of all mantras flow into Navkar mantra.