Why in the News?

Prime Minister has inaugurated and participated in Navkar Mahamantra Divas at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

What is Vishwa Navkar Mahamantra Divas?

The event is observed annually on April 9 to promote peace, non-violence, and spiritual harmony globally by chanting the Navkar Mantra collectively.
The mantra venerates the 5 supreme beings:

1. Arihants: Represent those who have attained “Keval Gyan” (perfect knowledge) and guide “Bhavya Jeevas” (souls destined for liberation). They possess twelve divine qualities.
2. Siddhas: Those who have eradicated all karmas and attained Moksha. They are endowed with eight pure qualities.
3. Acharyas: The leaders who follow Mahavrat and guide others on the spiritual path. They embody 36 virtues.
4. Upadhyayas: Scholars who impart knowledge related to the path to Moksha, with 25 virtues.
5. Sadhus: Renunciants who refine themselves through penance, with 27 significant qualities.

Key Jain Principles Associated:

Ahimsa (Non-Violence): The Navkar Mantra embodies the principle of Ahimsa, advocating for peace and harmony by acknowledging the interconnectedness of all life forms, thus promoting Maitri (friendliness) towards all beings.
Anekantavada (Non-Absolutism) and Syadvada: This principle promotes appreciating diverse perspectives and truths, which was emphasized as a solution to global challenges like terrorism and environmental degradation, reflecting the Jain concept of Syadvada (conditional truth).
Tapas (Self-Discipline) and Vairagya (Detachment): The mantra is seen as a spiritual tool for self-realization, mental stability, and fostering inner peace, encouraging Tapas and Vairagya as means to achieve spiritual growth.
Samyak Darshana (Right Faith) and Samyak Jnana (Right Knowledge): The teachings of the Navkar Mantra were connected to building a developed India rooted in heritage while embracing progress without losing cultural values, emphasizing the importance of Samyak Darshana and Samyak Jnana.
Svadhyaya (Self-Study) and Sadhana (Spiritual Practice): The mantra encourages self-discipline and truth as guiding principles for personal growth and societal harmony, promoting Svadhyaya and Sadhana as essential practices.

[UPSC 2011] The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by:

(a) Universal Law (b) Universal Truth (c) Universal Faith (d) Universal Soul