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Meaning, sources and more prayers: sanatanbodh.in/en/prayers/om-namah-shivaya/
“Om Namah Shivaya” is the best-known mantra of Lord Shiva. It is called the panchakshara, the five-syllable mantra, after the five syllables of “namah shivaya” (na, mah, shi, va, ya). The words “namah shivaya” occur in the Shri Rudram of the Yajurveda, and the Shiva Purana praises the five-syllable mantra. By tradition it is chanted while offering water on the Shivling, on Mondays, in Sawan and on Mahashivratri.
On the source: the words ‘namah shivaya’ occur in the Shri Rudram of the Taittiriya Samhita of the Krishna Yajurveda (4.5.8.1) as “namah shivaya cha shivataraya cha” (salutation to the auspicious one and to the more auspicious); the same line is in the Vajasaneyi Samhita of the Shukla Yajurveda (16.41). In the Veda it is not a separate mantra with ‘Om’; the japa form ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ comes from tradition and the Puranas. In the Vidyeshvara Samhita of the Shiva Purana (chapter 10), Shiva teaches the Omkara and says the five-syllable mantra arose from it.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the panchakshara mantra?
“Namah shivaya” has five syllables: na, mah, shi, va, ya. It is chanted with ‘Om’ added at the start.
Which Veda has “namah shivaya”?
The Shri Rudram of the Yajurveda: the line “namah shivaya cha shivataraya cha” occurs in the Taittiriya Samhita 4.5.8.1 and the Vajasaneyi Samhita 16.41. The full japa form ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ comes from tradition.
What does the Shiva Purana say about this mantra?
In the Vidyeshvara Samhita of the Shiva Purana (chapter 10), Shiva teaches the Omkara and says that the five-syllable mantra arose from it.
When is this mantra chanted?
By tradition while offering water or bel leaves on the Shivling, on Mondays, in the month of Sawan and on Mahashivratri. Many people chant it 108 times on a rudraksha mala; the number is a custom. It is also repeated silently.
Sources
- Krishna Yajurveda, Taittiriya Samhita 4.5.8.1 (Shri Rudram), Sanskrit Wikisource
- Shukla Yajurveda, Vajasaneyi Madhyandina Samhita 16.41, Sanskrit Wikisource
- Shiva Purana, Vidyeshvara Samhita, chapter 10, Sanskrit Wikisource
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Text checked against: sa.wikisource.org, sa.wikisource.org, sa.wikisource.org, en.wikipedia.org
