Namokar Mantra
| Namokar Mantra | |
|---|---|
Namokara mantra / Navkar Mantra | |
| Information | |
| Religion | Jainism |
| Language | Ardhamagadhi Prakrit |
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The Namokara mantra is the most significant mantra in Jainism, and one of the oldest mantras in continuous practice.[1][2] This is the first prayer recited by the Jains while meditating. The mantra is also variously referred to as the Pancha Namaskara Mantra, Namaskara Mantra, Navakara Mantra, Namaskara Mangala or Paramesthi Mantra. It is dedicated to the Panch-Parmeshthi, namely the arihant, the siddhas, the acharyas, the upadhyaya and all the ascetics.
History
[edit]
A short inscription (dated 200 BCE to 100 BCE) found in Pale Caves in Maharashtra mentions Namo Arahatanam (nmo arhtaanN) or Namo Arahantanam (nmo arhNtaanN), only the first line of Namokara Mantra. In Kushana and Shaka periods of 1st century CE to the first quarter of 2nd century, only the first line was prevalent.[3] The Hathigumpha inscription dated between 2nd century BCE to 1st century CE starts with Namo Arahantanam (nmo arhNtaanN) and Namo Save Sidhanam (nmo sve sidhaanN), 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 kingdom.[3][4][5] According to historian M. A. Dhaky, these two lines were originally used as mangala (auspicious opening lines) in written works and rituals then.[3]
The Namaskara Mantra with all Panca-Paramesthi (five supreme souls) was first mentioned in the auspicious opening lines in the condensed edition of Vyakhyaprajnapti. This version also replaces Ardhamagadhi nN with Maharashtrian Prakrit nnN.[3] In condensed edition of Avashyakasutra (dated circa last quarter of 5th century), the nN is also replaced with nnN as well as arhNt (Arahant) with arihNt (Arihant). Shatkandagam (circa 475-525 CE) and later Visheshavashyakbhashyavritti (circa 725 CE) and Anuyogadwarasuchi shows nmo (Namo) replaced with more Prakit nnmo (Namo). However, most Svetambaras still use nmo (Namo) as the Svetambara canon states that Tirthankaras' sermons are in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit, so they prefer the version with nmo (Namo) as they consider it to be the original form of the mantra. Digambaras, on the other hand, believe that Tirthankaras 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 nnmo (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.[3] The importance of it as a mantra in texts, traditions, rituals and meditation arose thereafter.[3]
The Namokara Mantra
[edit]| Prakrit | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| nnmo arihNtaannN | Namo Arihantanam | I bow to the Arihants |
| nnmo siddhaannN | Namo Siddhanam | I bow to the Siddhas. |
| nnmo aayriyaannN | Namo Ayariyanam | I bow to the Acharyas. |
| nnmo uvjjhaayaannN | Namo Uvajjhayanam | I bow to the Upadhyayas. |
| nnmo loe svv saahuunnN | Namo Loe Savva Sahunam | I bow to all of the Sages of the world. |
| eso pNc nnmokkaaro, svv paavppnnaasnno | Eso panca namokkaro, savva pavappanasano | This five-fold salutation completely destroys all the sins. |
| mNglaa nnN c svvesiN, pddhmN hvii mNglN | Mangala nam ca savvesim, padamama havai mangalam | And, of all auspicious mantras, (it) is indeed the foremost auspicious one. |
Abbreviations
[edit]The Namokar Mantra may abbreviated to Om Namah Siddhanam (6 syllables), Om Nhi (2 syllables), or just Om (1 syllable) in Jain literature.[6]
Meaning
[edit]Below is the meaning of the Namokar Mantra line by line, wherein the devotee first bows to the five supreme souls or Panca-Paramesthi:
- Arihant -- Those who have destroyed the four inimical karmas
- Siddha -- The persons who have achieved "Siddhi"
- Acharyas -- The teachers who teach how to behave / live one's life
- Upadhyaya -- Preceptor of less advanced ascetics[7]
- Sadhu -- The 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
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There is no mention of any particular names of the gods or any specific person. The prayer is done towards the guna (the good qualities) of the gods, teachers and the saints. Jains do not ask for any favors or material benefits from the tirthankaras 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 (liberation).[8]
Meditation
[edit]
According to Dravyasamgraha, a major Jain text:
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 (Panca-Paramesthi). Besides, meditate on and chant other mantras as per the teachings of the Preceptor (guru).[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Voorst 2015, p. 107.
- ^ Jaina, Ravindrakumara and Kusuma Jaina (1993). A Scientific Treatise on Great Namokar Mantra. Delhi: Arihant International, Keladevi Sumatiprasad Trust. ISBN 81-7277-029-4.
- ^ a b c d e f Dhaky, M. A. (2002). "aitihaasik priprekssyamaaN 'nmskaar-mNgl'" ['Namaskara-Mangala' in Historic Perspective]. In Shah, Jitendra B. (ed.). Nirgranth Aitihasik Lekh-Samucchay nirgrNth aitihaasik lekh-smuccya. Shreshthi Kasturbhai Lalbhai Series, Book 4 (in Gujarati). Vol. 1. Ahmedabad: Shreshthi Kasturbhai Lalbhai Smaraknidhi. pp. 7-18. Retrieved 15 November 2021 - via Jain eLibrary.
- ^ Rapson, "Catalogue of the Indian coins of the British Museum. Andhras etc...", p XVII.
- ^ Full text of the Hathigumpha Inscription in English Archived 17 November 2006 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ von Glasenapp 1999, pp. 410-411.
- ^ Jain 1917, p. 61.
- ^ Shah, Natubhai (1998). Jainism: The World of Conquerors. Sussex Academic Press. ISBN 1-898723-31-1.
- ^ Jain 2013, p. 173.
Sources
[edit]- Voorst, Robert E. Van (2015), RELG: World (Second ed.), Cengage Learning, ISBN 978-1-285-43468-1
- von Glasenapp, Helmuth (1999). Der Jainismus: Eine Indische Erlosungsreligion [Jainism: An Indian Religion of Salvation] (in German). Shridhar B. Shrotri (trans.). Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 81-208-1376-6.
- Jain, Vijay K. (2013), Acarya Nemichandra's Dravyasamgraha, Vikalp Printers, ISBN 9788190363952,
Non-copyright
- Jain, Champat Rai (1917), The Ratna Karanda Sravakachara, The Central Jaina Publishing House
