Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah attended an event in New Delhi as the Chief Guest on the occasion of ‘Vishwa Navkar Mahamantra Diwas’.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah said that at a time when different parts of the world are witnessing conflict in efforts to assert their ideologies, the collective chanting of the Navkar Mantra here for the welfare of the entire world is highly meaningful and relevant. He said that India is a country of diverse sects and religions, where every tradition highlights the special significance and spiritual power of mantras.

Union Home Minister said that mantras guide human life towards a higher path, awaken our consciousness, and strengthen noble intentions. He added that when people collectively chant the same mantra with devotion, it benefits not only the individual but also the entire nation and the world.

Shri Amit Shah said that our enlightened sages have, through tireless penance over generations, composed these mantras for the welfare of all humanity. We should accept them with devotion and also follow them in practice. He said that the Navkar Mantra is a completely formless, impartial, and universal prayer, in which there is no discrimination based on period, caste, region, or religion. Such an inclusive and universally accepted prayer is extremely rare in the world.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that this prayer is a reverence to the virtues of great souls who, by conquering their karma, have paved the path to self-realization and liberation. In this sacred mantra, the word “Namo” signifies complete surrender, guiding the seeker to renounce ego and move towards self-purification.

Union Home Minister said that when a person bows in reverence, it marks the beginning of the melting of their ego. He explained that an “Arihant” is one who destroys (“hant”) the inner enemies (“ari”). These enemies are the impurities or vices embedded in the body, mind, emotions, nature, and disposition, which hinder the attainment of liberation (moksha). The seeker who conquers these inner enemies is called an Arihant.

Home Minister said that a person who has attained perfect knowledge, achieved complete victory over anger, pride, deceit, and greed, and is endowed with the 12 divine qualities described in Jain scriptures, is considered an Arihant, and we bow to such Arihants. He added that the mantra also pays homage to the Siddhas. A soul that has attained a completely liberated state is called a Siddha. Those who have destroyed the eight types of karmas, risen above the cycle of birth and death, and attained eight pure qualities are known as Siddhas. He said that we bow to such countless Siddhas and seek their blessings.

Shri Amit Shah said that homage is also paid to the Acharyas, who are the heads of the monastic order. Establishing discipline, observing the great vows, and guiding all seekers are the primary responsibilities of an Acharya. One whose conduct can be followed to attain liberation is called an Acharya. According to Jain scriptures, a person endowed with 36 qualities attains the position of an Acharya. Similarly, homage is also paid to the Upadhyayas, that is, the teacher-saints. Their responsibility is to undertake deep study of the scriptures and to widely disseminate that knowledge. Only after attaining the prescribed 25 qualities do they become eligible for the position of an Upadhyaya.

Union Home Minister said that monks, ascetics, and seekers are those who, by practicing discipline, renunciation, great vows, and penance, gradually develop 27 virtues within themselves; a person endowed with such qualities is called a Sadhu. He said that this mantra symbolizes reverence to the five supreme beings (Panch Parmeshthi). According to its core philosophy, these five are divided into two main categories. The first category is “Dev”, which includes those great personalities’ beings who have risen above ordinary human existence and attained the states of Arihant and Siddha. The second category is “Guru”, which includes Acharya, Upadhyaya, and Sadhu. He said that the essence of the Navkar Mantra lies in bowing to all these five types of great personalities’ imbibing their virtues, and seeking their blessings.

Shri Amit Shah said that we collectively bow to the 108 virtues embodied in Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, and Sadhu. He said that this mantra enables one to remember and revere the virtues of all of them together in a very short span of time. He urged the youth that even if they may not fully understand the profound meaning of this mantra immediately—whose depth can be properly understood only under the guidance of an Acharya, monk, or learned saint—they should never stop practicing it.

Union Home Minister said that the tradition of the Navkar Mantra has been continuing for thousands of years, with significant contributions from the 24 Tirthankaras and their followers. Initially, this mantra was passed down orally from generation to generation; later, it was preserved through inscriptions and eventually found a place in various scriptures. He said that the efforts being made by different sections of society for the preservation and propagation of this mantra are commendable. These efforts will play an important role in guiding future generations toward a life of divinity and positivity. He added that at a time when the world needs peace, the collective chanting of the Navkar Mantra can help purify the environment as well as calm the disturbances of the mind. It will also strengthen mutual understanding, harmony, and sensitivity toward one another.

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RK/PR/PS