Jains from across the world will join in a collective recital of Navkar Mantra on Wednesday to celebrate the ‘Vishwa Navkar Maha Mantra Divas’. Millions of Jains will recite the Navkar Mantra at the same time to bring together peace-seekers to embrace the transformative power of the ancient sacred Jain prayer.
The Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO), an association of businesses owned by Jains, has organised the ‘Vishwa Navkar Maha Mantra Divas’ on the eve of Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, 24th Jain tirthankara Mahavir Swami’s birth anniversary. Under the initiative, Jains and non-Jains from across the world will collectively recite the Navkar Mantra from 7.01am to 9.36am.
According to JITO World, Navkar Mantra is the most profound and revered mantra known to humanity as it is not a plea for a boon, but a mantra of deep reverence, paying homage to souls who have attained the highest state of spiritual evolution. It believes that chanting of the prayer provides peace of mind, destroys sins, allows a person to attain salvation and self-knowledge, and fulfills desires.
The NGO has organised the collective chanting of Navkar Mantra on April 9 with the belief that the current Chaitra month in Hindu calendar is considered auspicious in Jainism as well as Hinduism. Moreover, it also said that the number 9 has a special significance in Jainism as it represents perfection, completeness and the nine basic principles of Jain philosophy.
The collective recital will be held at over 600 religious and community centres across the country, including more than 150 centres in Mumbai. The initiative will also see participation from various countries across the world where the Jains have established their religious sanghs,
“Navkar Mahamantra has great importance in Jainism as it is the basis of our religion.
All the followers of Jainism chant this mantra regularly to bring positive thoughts and start feeling compassion towards all living beings. It also contains the immense power of Omkar of Sanatan Dharma,” said a spokesperson of JITO.
