Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 9, emphasised the importance of Jain literature in shaping India’s rich intellectual and spiritual heritage, calling it the “backbone of India’s intellectual grandeur.” Addressing a gathering at the Navkar Mahamantra Divas at Vigyan Bhawan in the national capital, PM Modi said that preserving ancient Jain texts is a national duty.
“The literature of Jainism is the backbone of India’s intellectual grandeur. Preserving this knowledge is our duty,” he stated.
The Prime Minister highlighted the government’s decision to grant Classical Language status to Prakrit and Pali — two ancient Indian languages deeply intertwined with Jain and Buddhist traditions. “That is why we have granted Classical Language status to Prakrit and Pali,” he said, underlining the cultural and scholarly significance of these languages.
PM Modi recalled his early spiritual exposure to Jain teachings. “I was born in Gujarat where the influence of Jainism is visible in every street. Since childhood, I have been in the company of Jain Acharyas,” he said, adding that chanting the Navkar Mantra is a moment of deep reverence as “we bow to the Panch Parmeshthi.”
He pointed out how the architectural and cultural influence of Jainism is reflected in the new Parliament building. “As soon as you enter through the Shardula Dwar, you see the ‘Sammed Shikhar’ in the gallery. There is an idol of a Tirthankara at the Lok Sabha entrance—this idol has returned from Australia. A magnificent painting of Bhagwan Mahavir adorns the roof of the Constitution Hall, and all 24 Tirthankaras are depicted on the wall,” he said.
Linking spirituality with national progress, the Prime Minister said, “A developed India means progress as well as heritage—an India that will not stop, that will not pause, that will touch great heights without being severed from its roots.” He emphasised that Naya Bharat (New India) will continue to uphold the values of its ancient traditions even while advancing through modern technology.
In this spirit, PM Modi announced the upcoming Gyan Bharatam Mission, unveiled in this year’s Union Budget, which will focus on surveying and digitising millions of ancient manuscripts across the country. “Many important texts are slowly disappearing. Through this mission, we will connect antiquity with modernity,” he said. He added that the mission would explore the potential of Artificial Intelligence to make India’s spiritual legacy globally accessible.
The Prime Minister also highlighted efforts to retrieve ancient heritage from abroad. “In recent years, more than 20 statues of Tirthankaras have been brought back to India,” he said, describing these efforts as a matter of national pride.
Calling the Gyan Bharatam initiative an “Amrit Sankalp,” PM Modi said that India will not only preserve its knowledge systems but also inspire the world through the confluence of technology and spirituality. PM Modi also reflected on the profound spiritual impact of the Navkar Mahamantra, describing it as a guiding force that connects the individual to society and termed it as a “centre of faith.”
Sharing his thoughts after a collective chanting session at the Vigyan Bhawan, the Prime Minister said, “I am still experiencing the spiritual power of the Navkar Mahamantra within me. A few years ago, I had witnessed a similar collective chanting in Bengaluru, and today I felt the same sensation, with just as much depth.”
“The Navkar Mahamantra is not just a mantra. It is the centre of our faith, the fundamental note of our life, and its importance is not just spiritual. It shows the way to everyone—from the self to society—a journey from the individual to the world. Each verse of this mantra, nay, each letter, is a mantra in itself,” he said.
Highlighting Jainism’s core message, the Prime Minister stated that the mantra urges people to embark on a journey within, identifying and overcoming internal enemies such as negativity, distrust, hostility, and selfishness.
“The Navkar Mahamantra says that believe in yourself and start your journey. The enemy is not outside—the enemy is within. Negative thinking, distrust, hostility, and selfishness are the enemies that conquering is the real victory. This is why Jainism inspires us to conquer not the outside world but ourselves,” he added.
PM Modi also discussed the significance of the number nine in Indian culture, stating, “There are nine elements of life. These nine elements lead life towards completeness. Therefore, in our culture, nine holds special significance.”
Participating in the event alongside members of the Jain community and spiritual leaders, the Prime Minister led the collective chanting of the Navkar Mahamantra and described the moment as spiritually energising and unifying.
The event was organised to celebrate the timeless teachings of Jain philosophy and to promote the values of inner peace, self-realisation, and harmony. While the Navkar Mahamantra Divas was observed at various locations in India, the central ceremony was held at Vigyan Bhawan.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also joined in the Vishwa Navkar Mahamantra Divas event in the national capital. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel attended the Vishwa Navkar Mahamantra Day event organised by the Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO) in Ahmedabad.
Religious scholars, Jain monks, dignitaries, and hundreds of followers came together to recite the ancient mantra venerated by the five supreme beings: Arihants, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, and Sadhus. The event also highlighted Jain philosophy’s emphasis on nonviolence, truth, self-discipline, and inner transformation.
PM Modi reiterated the importance of embracing such values in today’s world to foster harmony and brotherhood across communities. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister invited citizens to join in chanting the Navkar Mahamantra at 8:27 AM, describing it as a collective step toward peace, strength, and unity.
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