Namokar Maha mantra lyrics and meaning
 | This is the most sacred Mantra among the Jains, this is recited during spiritual (and also otherwise) gatherings in the beginning. This mantra is a bowing (or paying respects to) Arihants (those who have no enemies; those who have ended attachment and aversions), Siddhas (perfected ones), Acharyas (spiritual leaders, teachers), Teachers and all monks. This Maha Mantra is one of the oldest mantras, this mantra was found on 162 BC Hathigumpha inscription. |
Recitation of this Mantra helps one remember that the most important goal of life is to achieve liberation from the non-reality. This mantra which offers respect to the great ones also reminds one of their qualities, thus keeping one focused on the path.
Namokar in prakrit is equal to namaskar as used in current time, which means to show respect or greet with respect.
Lyrics in (Jain) Prakrit | Transliterated to English | Meaning in English |
| णमो अरिहंताणं णमो सिद्धाणं णमो आयरियाणं णमो उवज्झायाणं णमो लोए सव्व साहूणं | Ṇamō arihantāṇaṁ Ṇamō siddhāṇaṁ Ṇamō āyariyāṇaṁ Ṇamō uvajjhāyāṇaṁ Ṇamō lōē savva sāhūṇaṁ | I bow to the (arihants) liberated ones I bow to the (siddhas) perfecetd ones I bow to the (acharyas) preceptors I bow to the (Upadhyâyas) teachers I bow to all the (sadhus) saints |
| [एसोपंचणमोक्कारो, सव्वपावप्पणासणो मंगला णं च सव्वेसिं, पडमम हवई मंगलं] | [Ēsōpan̄caṇamōkkārō, savvapāvappaṇāsaṇō Maṅgalā ṇaṁ ca savvēsiṁ, paḍamama havaī maṅgalaṁ] | [This five-fold bowing destroys all sins and obstacles and of all auspicious mantras, is the first and foremost one] |