1,008 Jain women chat Namoththunam in Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Aug 16 (TNT): As many as 1,008 Jain women came together at Uttaradi Math, Raghavendra Temple Road, Kachiguda, here on Sunday to collectively chant Namoththunam, an ancient Jain hymn of reverence.
The programme combined a spiritual gathering with a contemporary social message, with organisers and participants highlighting the relevance of Namoththunam for younger generations living in an era of celebrity and hero worship.
Swarup Chand Kothari, Chairman, Shri Vardhaman Sthanakvasi Jain Shravak Sangh, Greater Hyderabad, said Namoththunam was an ancient Jain sutra through which devotees offered obeisance to the Arihants and reflected on the qualities that make them worthy of admiration.
Participants said the hymn encourages devotees to look beyond individuals and recognise qualities such as self-control, wisdom, humility, discipline and freedom from negative passions.
Raksh Jain, one of the participants, said Jain philosophy offered a different perspective on the concept of role models by encouraging people to admire qualities rather than fame or status.
Supriya Bhalgat, a Data Scientist, said Namoththunam encouraged people to shift their focus from what they could receive to the qualities they could learn and develop.
Nutritionist Smitha Jain said the principle could be applied to everyday role models, such as appreciating the discipline of a sportsperson, the courage of a soldier or the compassion of a social worker.
Dr. Roshni Jain, an Endodontist, said young people were surrounded by celebrities, influencers, sportspersons, entrepreneurs and other public figures, and stressed the importance of understanding what qualities were being admired.
Teacher Sheetal Jain described the message as a shift from “I want” to “I want to become”, while Lecturer Shwetha Agarwal said the prayer could serve as a reminder for personal improvement by encouraging qualities such as patience, self-control and compassion.
Retired Professor Geeta Krishnamachary said younger generations should be taught not only whom to admire but also what qualities make a person worthy of admiration.
Lawyer Priyanka Jain said ancient traditions such as Namoththunam could offer simple and relevant lessons to the younger generation, particularly by encouraging the question of what one could become rather than what one could receive.
The organisers said they were planning a similar collective programme for couples later this month.
TNT TS
