| Prakrit/Hindi | English | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| णमो अरिहंताणं | Ṇamō Arihantāṇaṁ | I bow to the Arihants, the Conquerors. |
| णमो सिद्धाणं | Ṇamō Siddhāṇaṁ | I bow to the Siddhas |
| णमो आयरियाणं | Ṇamō Ayariyāṇaṁ | I bow to the Acharyas |
| णमो उवज्झायाणं | Ṇamō Arihantāṇaṁ | Ṇamō Uvajjhāyāṇaṁ Upadhyayas |
| णमो लोए सव्व साहूणं | Ṇamō Lōē Savva Sāhūṇaṁ | I bow to all the Sages of the world. |
| एसोपंचणमोक्कारो | Ēsōpan̄caṇamōkkārō | This five-fold salutation |
| सव्वपावप्पणासणो | savvapāvappaṇāsaṇō | completely destroys all the sins. |
| मंगला णं च सव्वेसिं | Maṅgalā ṇaṁ ca savvēsiṁ | And amongst all auspicious things |
| पडमम हवई मंगलं | paḍamama havaī maṅgalaṁ | Is the most auspicious one |
Ṇamōkāra mantra is the most significant mantra in Jainism. This is the first prayer recited by the Jains while meditating. While reciting this mantra, the devotee bows with respect to the Panch Parameshti (the Supreme Five):
The word Arihanta is made up of two words: 1) Ari, meaning enemies, and 2)hanta, meaning destroyer of the enemies. These enemies are inner desires known as passions such as anger, ego, deception, and greed within us. When a person (soul) wins over these inner enemies he/she is called Arihanta. Arihanta destroys the four ghati karmas namely Jnanavarniya (knowledge blocking) Karma, Darshanavarniya (perception blocking) Karma, Mohniya (passion causing) Karma and Antaraya (obstacle causing) Karma. Arihanta attains: 1) Kevaljnan, perfect knowledge due to the destruction of all Jnanavarniya Karmas, 2) Kevaldarshan, perfect perception due to the destruction of all Darshanavarniya karmas, 3) becomes passionless due to the destruction of all Mohniya Karmas, and 4) gains infinite power due to the destruction of all Antaraya Karmas.
Siddhas are the liberated souls. They are no longer among us because they have completely ended the cycle of birth and death. They have reached the ultimate highest state, salvation. They do not have any karmas, and they do not collect any new karmas. This state of true freedom is called Moksha.
Acharyas carry the message of Jina. They are our spiritual leaders. Acharyas must have to do in-depth study and achieve mastery of the Jain scriptures (Ägams). In addition to acquiring a high level of spiritual excellence, they have the ability to lead the monks and nuns. They know various languages with a sound knowledge of other philosophies and religions of the area and the world.
The title Upadhyayas is given to those Sadhus who have acquired a special knowledge of the Ägams and philosophical systems. They teach Jain scriptures to sadhus and sadhvis.
When householders become detached from the worldly aspects of life and get the desire for spiritual uplift (and not worldly uplift), they give up their worldly lives and become sadhus (monk) or sadhvis (nun). A male person is called sadhu, and a female person is called sadhvi. At the time of Deeksha, the sadhu or sadhvi voluntarily accepts to obey following five major vows for the rest of his/her life:
