Jain Prayers: Jain Culture & Traditions

Bhaktamara Stotra

Bhaktamara Stotra is the most famous of the Jain Sanskrit prayers. It was composed by Acharya Manatunga.

The name Bhaktamara comes from a combination of two sanskrit names, “Bhakta” (Devotee) and “Amar” (Immortal). So, it is said that by recitation of this Stotra, a person gets free from the worldly bonds, attains salvation, and hence becomes immortal.

As the second verse states, it is in the praise of the first Tirthankara, Lord Rishabha. There is some variation in the number of verses of the available manuscripts; some have 48 verses, while others have 44 verses. A few have 52 verses. The last verse gives the name of the author Manatunga.

Michchhami Dukkadam

Michchhami Dukkadam is an ancient Prakrit phrase literally meaning – may all the evil that has been done be fruitless. It is especially used on the Kshamavani Diwas or Forgiveness Day, celebrated on Samvatsari, the concluding day of the eight or ten day Paryushana festival, one of the main festivals of the Jain community. On this day, Jains request forgiveness from each other for all offences committed. The phrase is also used when a person makes a mistake, or recollects making one in everyday life, or when asking for forgiveness in advance for inadvertent ones.

Khamemi Savve Jiva	I forgive all living beings.
Savve Jiva Khamantu me	May all souls forgive me,
Mitti me Savva Bhooesu	I am friendly terms with all,
Veram Majjham Na Kenvi	I have no animosity toward any soul.
Michchhami Dukkadam	May all my faults be dissolved.

Namokar Mantra

The Namokar Mantra, also variously referred to as the Navakār Mantra or the Namaskār Mantra or the Pancha Parameshti Namaskār, is the most important mantra used in Jainism. While reciting this mantra, the devotee bows with respect to humans who have cleared their gathi karmas (arihants), fully liberated souls (siddhas), spiritual leaders (acharyas), teachers (upajjhayas) and monks.

In this prayer there is no mention of any names, including that of the Tirthankaras. Jains do not ask for any favors or material benefits from the Tirthankaras or from sadhus and sadhvis. This mantra simply serves as a gesture of deep respect towards beings they believe are more spiritually advanced and to remind followers of the Jain religion of their ultimate goal of nirvana or moksa.

Digambaras and Sthanakvasis regard the first five lines as the main mantra, the following two lines are explanatory.

Namo Arihantanam – I bow in reverence to Arihants
Namo Siddhanam – I bow in reverence to Siddhas
Namo Ayariyanam – I bow in reverence to Acharyas
Namo Uvajjhayanam – I bow in reverence to Upadhyayas
Namo Loye Savva Sahunam – I bow in reverence to all Sadhus

Eso Panch Namoyaro – This five-fold salutation
Savva Pavappanasano – Destroys all sins
Mangalanam Cha Savvesim – And amongst all auspicious things
Padhamam Havai Mangalam – Is the most auspicious one