Namokar Mantra

Daughter	:	Ma, we recite the Namokara-Mantra daily; what is Namokara-Mantra ? Please tell us.
Mother	:	NAMOKARA-MANTRA is a prayer of virtues. We Jainas worship Arihanta, Siddha, Acarya, Upadhyaya and Sadhu, by reciting Namokara-Mantra. They are Known as "PANCA-PARAMESTHI". Actually Namokara-Mantra is a reverence-Mantra.
Daughter	:	Ma, what do we gain by reverence to Panca-Paramesthi ?
Mother	:	Jainas worship good qualities of a person and not only the person. So, this reverence (deep respect) is impersonal. It is focussed on their virtues (good qualities). Indeed, it is a reverence of their virtues. It is reverence for their virtues. We wish to instil the virtues of the Panca-Parmesthi in our lives. Namokara-Mantra reminds us to achieve this goal.
Daughter	:	Who are Arihantas ?
Mother	:	Arihantas are supreme human beings. They preach the absolute truth. They know every thing about the universe. At the end of their lives, they become pure-souls (Siddhas).
Daughter	:	Who are Siddhas ?
Mother	:	Siddhas are pure souls without a physical body. They have freed themselves from all kinds of bondage.
Daughter	:	Ma, why do we pay our reverence first to Arihantas in Namokara-Mantra ?
Mother	:	Although, Siddhas are spiritually higher than Arihantas, we pray Arihantas first because they preach us the path of Bliss.
Daughter	:	Who is an Acarya ?
Mother	:	An Acarya is the leader of the monks (SADHUS). He himself strictly practices the teachings of the religion and make other monks to follow such practices. He is a propagator of ethico-spiritual values.
Daughter	:	Who is an Upadhyaya ?
Mother	:	An Upadhyaya is the reader of holy scriptures. He himself learns and teachers other monks. He is a teacher of ethico-spiritual values.
Daughter	:	Who is a Sadhu ?
Mother	:	A Sadhu is completely possessionless naked monk. He is indifferent to worldly pleasures and passions. He follows the path of spiritual progress. His daily routine consists of study of scriptures and meditation. He is a pious personality.
Daughter	:	What is the difference amongst Acaryas, Upadhyayas and Sadhus ?
Mother	:	Acaryas, Upadhyayas and Sadhus are all monks. All of them study and practice the teachings of religion. The basic difference amongst them is that the Acarya is the head monk of the group of monks. A monk who has highest degree of scriptural knowledge is appointed as an Upadhyaya. A Sadhu is a monk who practices the religion under the guidance of Acarya.
Dear child, Namokara Mantra is a unique prayer. Panca-Parmesthi are the ideals for us to follow. By reciting Namokara Mantra (9 or 108 times), we gain peace, harmony and purity of thoughts. In Jainism, the Panca-Parmesthi are represented by the symbol OM (¬) or AAAUM. It is an acronym formed from the Sanskrit words Arihanta, Asariri (Siddhas who do not have material bodies), Acharya, Upadhyaya and Muni (Sadhu).