Navkar Mantra

Navkar Mantra - the fundamental prayer in Jain, a prayer recited by a devotee at all occassions and at all times. But not too many know what exactly the supreme Jain prayer means. I will try to dwelve more in this aspect so that while "bhakti yog" (भक्ति योग) is being practised "gyaan yog" (ज्ञान योग) is not neglected. My aim is to learn along with you all as I read more and write on this blog.

Namo Arihantanam - I bow to Arihanta
Namo Siddhanam - I bow to Siddha
Namo Ayriyanam - I bow to Acharyas
Namo Uvajjhayanam - I bow to Upadhyayas
Namo Loe Savva-sahunam - I bow to sadhus and sadhvis
Eso Panch Namokaro - The five mahavrats
Savva-pavappanasano - Destroy all sins
Manglananch Savvesim - Amongst all that is auspicious
Padhamam Havei Mangalam - Navkar mantra is the greatest

Navkar mantra in detail:
Namo Arihantanam - Arihant means Enemies (Ari) + Destroyer (Hant). Arihant is the one who has destroyed all his ghati karmas and only needs to destroy aghati karmas to attain Nirvan (निर्वाण) or Moksh (मोक्ष) (complete release from all karmic bondages and attaining perfection)
Ghati karmas are those which obscure the true nature of the soul and are the most difficult to destroy and are believed to be destroyed before aghati karmas can be destroyed. Aghati karmas are automatically destroyed if one achieves victory over Ghati karmas - so one who has attained Arihant status will definitely become a Siddha.

Namo Siddhanam - Liberated souls which have destroyed all karmas and achieved perfection. It is interesting to note that the Arihantas are prayed before the Siddhas - possibly because the Arihantas actually teach us about how to become a Siddha.

Namo Ayriyanam - Spiritual leaders who guide us towards the path of attaining  Moksh (मोक्ष). Some people believe that the Tirthankaras are supreme and only they should be worshipped - but do not forget that without a guide, moving fast may only get us sooner to the wrong destination.

Namo Uvajjhayanam - Sadhus (and I believe Sadhvis) with special knowledge of Jain scriptures who teach other sadhus and sadhvis

Namo Loe Savva-sahunam - One who has taken deeksha (दीक्षा) and is following the five mahavrats (पंच महाव्रत)

Eso Panch Namokaro - The five mahavratas namely Ahinsa (Non-violence), Satya (Truthfullness), Asteya (Non-stealing), Brahmacharya (Celibacy) and Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness).

Savva-pavappanasano - Following the Five great fows will destroy all sins and propel us towards the path to attain moksh

Manglananch Savvesim - Amongst all prayers that is auspicious
Padhamam Havei Mangalam - Navkar mantra is the greatest



Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namokar_Mantra
http://jain.wisejobs.net/showthread.php?t=5637