The Five Sacred Syllables
Na — Ma — Shi — Va — Ya — these five syllables (Panchakshari) are the quintessential mantra of Lord Shiva, among the oldest and most universally chanted mantras in Hinduism. Together with the preceding Om, it becomes the Shadakshari Mantra (six-syllable mantra).
Word-by-Word Meaning
| Sanskrit | Transliteration | Meaning | |----------|----------------|---------| | ॐ | Om | The primordial sound; the cosmic syllable | | नमः | Namah | I bow / I surrender / Salutations | | शिवाय | Shivaya | To Shiva — the auspicious one |
The five syllables represent the Pancha Bhuta (Five Elements):
- Na — Earth (Prithvi)
- Ma — Water (Jala)
- Shi — Fire (Agni / Tejas)
- Va — Air (Vayu)
- Ya — Space/Ether (Akasha)
By chanting these five syllables, the devotee harmonizes with the five fundamental elements of creation.
The Mantra in Scripture
The Panchakshari appears prominently in:
- Krishna Yajurveda — Taittiriya Samhita (the eight-syllable Namah Shivaya)
- Shiva Purana — where its power and method of chanting are described in detail
- Kashi Khanda of Skanda Purana — Lord Shiva himself teaches this mantra to Parvati
According to the Shiva Purana, a devotee who chants Om Namah Shivaya with pure devotion 100,000 times (one lakh) attains liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
How to Chant
Basic practice:
- Sit comfortably in a clean, quiet place (ideally facing east or north)
- Light a diya (lamp) and incense
- Hold a Rudraksha mala (108 beads)
- Chant Om Namah Shivaya for each bead — completing one mala (108 repetitions)
- Begin with "Om" — pause — then "Namah Shivaya"
Best time: Brahma Muhurta (90 minutes before sunrise), or any Shiva puja, or continuously throughout Maha Shivaratri
Mental visualization: Visualize the silver moon above, Lord Shiva in deep meditation, the Ganga flowing from his locks, the Trishul, and the Damaru — or simply rest in pure awareness.
Significance of 108
The mala has 108 beads because:
- 108 is the ratio of the Sun's diameter to Sun-Earth distance (108:1)
- The ratio of the Moon's diameter to Moon-Earth distance is also 108:1
- There are 108 Upanishads, 108 names of Shiva (in several texts)
- Sanskrit has 54 letters × 2 (masculine and feminine) = 108
Chanting 108 times completes one "round" of the mantra, representing one complete cycle of cosmic time.
Mantra in Daily Life
Om Namah Shivaya can be chanted at any time and in any state of mind. Unlike some mantras that require ritual preparation, this mantra is accessible to all — it is the universal salutation to the divine consciousness within. Many devotees maintain a continuous mental repetition (japa) throughout the day — while working, walking, or falling asleep.