Meaning of the Namaskar Mahamantra

Namo Arihantanam: I bow down to Arihanta,
Namo Siddhanam: I bow down to Siddha,
Namo Ayriyanam: I bow down to Acharya,
Namo Uvajjhayanam: I bow down to Upadhyaya,
Namo Loe Savva-sahunam: I bow down to Sadhu and Sadhvi.

Eso Panch Namokaro: These five bowing downs,
Savva-pavappanasano: Destroy all the sins,
Manglananch Savvesim: Amongst all that is auspicious,
Padhamam Havei Mangalam: This Navkar Mantra is the foremost.

The Navkar Mantra is the most fundamental mantra in Jainism and can be recited at any time of the day. While reciting the Navkar Mantra, the aspirant bows with respect to Arihantas, Siddhas, Ächäryäs, Upädhyäyas,Sädhus, and Sädhvis. The mantra enables us to worship the virtues of all the supreme spiritual people instead of just worshipping one particular person. For this reason, the Navkar Mantra does not mention the names of any Tirthankaras, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upädhyäyas, Sädhus, or Sädhvis. At the time of recitation, we remember their virtues and try to emulate them. In this mantra we bow down to these supreme spiritual personalities, and therefore, it is also called Namaskär or Namokär Mantra.