Chant the Navkar Mantra (also called Namokar Mantra) — the supreme prayer of the Jain tradition — and count your malas to 108.
णमो अरिहंताणं
णमो सिद्धाणं
णमो आयरियाणं
णमो उवज्झायाणं
णमो लोए सव्व साहूणं
Namo Arihantanam
Namo Siddhanam
Namo Ayariyanam
Namo Uvajjhayanam
Namo Loe Savva Sahunam
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The Navkar Mantra is the most sacred mantra in Jainism. It does not name any specific god or deity. Instead, it salutes the five worthy categories of liberated and aspiring souls: the Arihants (the enlightened), the Siddhas (the liberated), the Acharyas (heads of monastic orders), the Upadhyayas (teachers), and the Sadhus (monks).
It is the first mantra a Jain child learns and the last mantra a Jain hopes to remember at death. Recited daily by millions, it is considered the most powerful purifier in the tradition.
Because the Navkar names no specific deity, it can be chanted by anyone of any faith with full benefit. It is simply a salutation to all liberated and seeking souls — past, present, and future.
I bow to the Arihants — those who have conquered inner enemies (anger, ego, attachment, greed) and attained omniscience.
I bow to the Siddhas — fully liberated souls who have escaped the cycle of rebirth.
I bow to the Acharyas — heads of monastic orders, masters of self-discipline.
I bow to the Upadhyayas — teachers who instruct in the scriptures.
I bow to all Sadhus in the world — monks and nuns practising spiritual discipline.
Daily at dawn is the most traditional time. The mantra is also recited during Paryushana and Das Lakshana (the great annual Jain observances). Many Jains chant it before sleep, before meals, and at the start of any new activity.
It is the most sacred mantra of Jainism but it is not exclusive. Because it names no specific god — only categories of liberated and aspiring souls — it can be chanted by anyone.
The Navkar is traditionally in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit (the language of the Jain Agamas). The version above is the most widely used. Some modern recitations use slightly different spellings (Namokar, Namokar).
Same mantra, different names. 'Navkar' (from 'nav' = nine, referring to nine padas) is the popular name. 'Namokar' (from 'namo' = bow) is the more traditional name.
Hindu mantras typically invoke a specific deity. The Navkar invokes no deity — it salutes ranks of beings. This makes it philosophically distinct: pure veneration without a personal god.