Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Namaskar Mantra - Prayer of Jain Religion

Every day Jains bow their heads and say their universal prayer, the Navkar-Mantra. All work and every events of Jain people starts with this prayer of salutation and worship to lord. They say this prayer many times in their day to day life.

Namo Arihantanam: - I bow to the Arithantas - the ever-perfect spiritual victors

Namo Siddhanam: - I bow to the Siddhas - the liberated souls

Namo Ayariyanam: - I bow to Acharyas - the leaders of the Jain order

Namo Uvajjayanam: - I bow to Upadhyayas - the learned preceptors

Namo Loe Savva Sahunam: - I bow to all saints and sages everywhere in the world

Eso Panch Namukkaro: - These five obeisances

Savva PavapPanasano: - Erase all Sins

Mangalancha Savvesin: - Amongst all that is auspicious

Padhamam Havai Mangalam: - This is the foremost

In the above prayer, Jain peoples do not ask for any nepotism or substantive benefits from their Gods, the Tirthankaras or from monks and nuns. They do not plead to only a specific Tirthankara or monk by name. By saluting them, Jains get the motivation from the five benevolent for the right path of true happiness and total freedom from the misery of life i.e. towards Moksha.

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