🪔 Gagar Ma Sagar – A Drop Containing the Ocean
Even a few words can carry infinite meaning. That is the nature of this universe. Just like a small vessel (gagar) can hold the essence of the ocean (sagar), so too, a simple visual or mantra can grant endless joy and wisdom.
In this episode of Gagar Ma Sagar – 16, we reflect on the most powerful mantra in Jainism, the Navkar Mantra, originally known as the Namaskar Sutra.
🔱 The Root Mantra of Jainism
Among all mantras in the world, none has as much literature, experience, or spiritual success associated with it as the Navkar Mantra. Thousands of scholars have offered interpretations, millions have experienced its grace, crores of saints have realized it in their lives, and countless souls have attained liberation through it.
The mantra has benefitted people in both worldly and spiritual ways. For those who accept it materially, it offers material benefits. For those who embrace it spiritually, it opens the path to Moksha.
The verse begins:
“Eso Panch Namukkaro Savva Pava Pannasano”
“These five salutations destroy all sins.”
This mantra is so powerful, it is said to destroy sins, obstacles, pain, and suffering.
🔍 Why Don’t We Experience Its Power?
In today’s chaotic world, our mindset has become weak — always calculating profit and loss in every relationship: with parents, siblings, spouses, or friends.
This calculating mindset prevents us from receiving the full fruit of the Navkar Mantra. Though the mantra is easily available to us, we lack the experience because we have forgotten the most important principle:
🧠 Remembering Virtues, Not Profit
The essence of the Navkar Mantra is “Gunasmaran” — remembering virtues, not personal gain.
In everyone, there are different types of virtues. Whether they benefit or harm you materially is your own perception. Someone may speak the truth — you might think whether that helps or hurts you — but the real question is: When will you start worshipping the virtue of truth itself?
Until now, we have always measured everything by benefit or loss. From today, become a worshipper of virtues.
Only then will the Navkar Mantra begin to bear fruit.
🙏 Selfish vs. Spiritual
One who looks at profit and loss is selfish.
One who respects virtues is a true being.
Such a person develops faith, devotion, and emotion in their heart.
If your life lacks emotion and devotion, it’s because you’re stuck in comparisons and calculations.
From today, stop the mental math, and let faith and trust blossom in your heart.
🌟 The Five Supreme Beings of Navkar Mantra
The Navkar Mantra contains 108 divine virtues and refers to five types of exalted beings — not just in the past or present, but those to come in the future as well:
- Arihant
The great souls who have conquered all inner enemies and established the religion (Dharma). Establishing true religion is no easy feat — it requires immense power and merit. Tirthankaras are adorned with 12 virtues and the highest knowledge (Kevalgnan).
→ Namo Arihantanam - Siddha
The liberated souls, free from all karma, beyond the physical body, residing in the Siddha Shila with eight supreme qualities like infinite knowledge, bliss, and power.
→ Namo Siddhanam - Acharya
The spiritual leaders who carry forward the Jain order after the Tirthankaras. Pure in conduct and mighty in renunciation, they guide the monastic community.
→ Namo Ayariyanam - Upadhyay
Like ministers to kings, these are the teachers who study and teach the scriptures, humbly serve the Acharyas, and lead by inner self-study and humility.
→ Namo Uvajjhayanam - Sadhu/Sadhvi
The monks and nuns who renounce all for self-realization. Their life’s aim is to help others, endure karmic challenges, and walk the path of liberation.
→ Namo Loe Savva Sahunam
These five beings are present in past, present, and future, across infinite realms. Worshipping them is a worship of virtue itself.
📿 Why 108 Beads in the Mala?
Because the five beings together embody 108 qualities, the Jain rosary (mala) has 108 beads.
The Navkar Mantra is to be recited in Arya meter as composed by Sudharmaswami. Originally called the Namaskar Sutra, it later came to be known as Navkar Mantra after Acharyas added the opening line “Eso Panch Namukkaro” to help the masses.
If anyone believes it has nine phrases, they are mistaken. It contains five salutations, and the current name “Navkar” is a linguistic evolution of “Namokar” from “Namaskar.”
🌈 The Transformational Power of Navkar
“Eso Panch Namukkaro” — these five beings
“Savva Pava Pannasano” — destroy all sins
“Mangalanam cha Savvesim” — are the most auspicious
“Padhamam Havai Mangalam” — the foremost of all auspiciousness
Whoever chants the Navkar Mantra with true devotion — not for gain or loss, but in remembrance of virtues — wishes well for all living beings. With such intent, that person becomes worthy of becoming a Tirthankara.
If one completes 9 lakh chants (five malas daily for five years), even lifetimes of negative karma are destroyed. Not just physical ailments like cancer, but deep-rooted karmic knots begin to dissolve, leading to true liberation.
✅ Conclusion
The Navkar Mantra is not merely a chant — it is a cosmic celebration of virtues, a salute to the highest ideals of humanity and beyond. It doesn’t ask for anything, nor promise worldly gains. It simply purifies the soul.
From today, become a worshipper of virtues, not a seeker of profit. Let the Navkar Mantra transform your inner world — and open the path to your ultimate freedom.