Jain Prayers

Jain followers sincerely believe in true Jinas and Tirthankaras, the perfect beings and omniscients. They are considered and worshiped as Gods by all followers, who always make attempts to adopt all possible characteristics. The prime prayer is Navkar mantra, which is bhāva-dravya namaskāra( two types, two fold physical and mental let go or obeisance) consists of nine padas, hence Navkar. For these nine padas of Navkar and meanings, please refer to Appendix-II page no. 349-350.

In short, this five fold obeisance is destroyer of all the vices and so among all the types and is the foremost among all the auspiciousness. Apart from Navkar mantra, all other prayers (stutis) are to adore the virtues of Tirthankars and request for grace to show the path to liberation. One of them, Bhaktamar Stotra^[1] is a famous Sanskrit prayer. It was composed by Acarya Manatunga (7^th century CE). The name Bhaktamara comes from a combination of two Sanskrit names, "Bhakta" (Devotee) and "Amar" (Immortal). It is an appraisal of virtues of the first Tirthankara Adinath. There are forty-eight verses in total.