The heart of Jain teaching

Navkar Mantra — its meaning

Recited daily by Jains of every tradition, the Navkar (Namokar) Mantra honours five kinds of supreme beings — the Pancha Parameshthi. It names no individual, only qualities.

णमो अरिहंताणं

I bow to the Arihantas — the victors who have conquered the inner passions and teach the path.

णमो सिद्धाणं

I bow to the Siddhas — liberated souls, free of all karma.

णमो आयरियाणं

I bow to the Acharyas — the heads of the monastic order.

णमो उवज्झायाणं

I bow to the Upadhyayas — the teachers of scripture.

णमो लोए सव्व साहूणं

I bow to all the Sadhus in the world — monks and nuns on the path.

This fivefold salutation destroys all sins, and of all auspicious things it is the foremost.

The five vows

Monks and nuns keep these completely, as great vows (mahavratas). Householders keep them as lesser vows (anuvratas), within the limits of family life.

Ahimsa

Non-violence in thought, word and deed toward every living being.

Satya

Truthfulness — speech that is true, kind and beneficial.

Asteya

Not taking what is not given.

Brahmacharya

Chastity — celibacy for ascetics, faithfulness for householders.

Aparigraha

Non-possessiveness — limiting possessions and inner attachment.

Jain practice in daily life

Darshan & Puja

Visiting the temple (derasar or basadi) to see the Jina’s image as an ideal to become — not a god to petition.

Samayik

Forty-eight minutes of equanimity — meditation, reflection and study, set apart from worldly activity.

Pratikraman

Reviewing one’s faults and asking forgiveness, especially at dawn and dusk.

Food

Vegetarian food; many avoid root vegetables and eat before sunset (ratri-bhojan tyag) to reduce harm to living beings.

Tapa & fasting

From giving up one meal to fasting for many days — as inner discipline, not punishment.

Dana

Four kinds of giving — food, medicine, knowledge and fearlessness (protecting life).