Of the countless number of Sanskrit Mantras, Om (or Aum) Namah Shivaya is considered as one of the most important and potent ones. It addresses Lord Shiva and can be translated as “Om, Adoration to Shiva” or “Om, I bow to Shiva, the auspicious one.”
Origin of Panchakshara Mantra
The Panchakshara (five syllable) Mantra “Namah Shivaya” is taken from the Sri Rudram of the Yajurveda, Rudra being the earlier Vedic name for Shiva.
Translation of Om Namah Shivaya
The Panchaskhara Mantra can be translated and interpreted in different ways. One possible translation is “Om, I bow to Shiva, the auspicious one” or “Om, adoration to Shiva.”
The Pranava “Om” or “Aum”, a mystical syllable and Seed Mantra (Beeja Mantra) is used as a prefix, similar to most Sanskrit Mantras. It is a universal mantra and regarded as the first sound and very embodiment of Divinity.
Another possible meaning for the word “namah” is “not me.” Thus, the Panchakshara may also be translated as “Om, not me, but Shiva” or “Om, I surrender to Shiva”. This may remind one of St. Paul’s saying in Gal 2:20: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me,” expressing an attitude of complete surrender to the Divine.
Word for Word Translation and Interpretation
- Om – The first word “Om” or “Aum” is understood to represent the totality of creation as well as the very sound of creative vibration. It is also sometimes equated with Lord Ganesha, who is called “Pranava Svarupa” (embodiment of Om). The three letters of “Aum” may stand for the either the three states of consciousness (waking, dream, deep sleep), the three levels of gross/physical, subtle/astral and causal or, thirdly, for past, present and future. The silence after the sound of “Aum” is considered to be symbolic of the stillness of that absolute, non-dual Consciousness that is Shiva.
- Namah – “Namah” may mean “I adore,” “prostration to” or “not mine” (“na maha”). Thus, it denotes the spirit of surrender and selfless love necessary to realize Divinity and become one with God.
- Shivaya – “Shiva” is simply one of the countless names for that one absolute Being-Awareness-Bliss that cannot be put in words and which has been described by different spiritual traditions, seers and saints as Brahman, Krishna, Devi, Allah, Christ, Yahweh, God, Ground of Soul, Divine Light, Cosmic Energy, the Absolute or Shiva. In Hinduism, Shiva is the third part of the Trinity of Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver) and Shiva (Destroyer). Shiva’s work lies mainly in the destruction of evil within and without and the spiritual transformation of man, leading him to God-realization. Shiva literally translates as “auspicious, benign, friendly.”
Japa of Panchakshara (Om Namah Shivaya)
Swami Sivananda Saraswati taught Mantra Japa as an easy and direct way of connecting to the Divine within. He believed Japa possessed enormous power and took the Divine names such as Shiva, Rama or Krishna to be like a boat that may carry one over the ocean of birth and death towards immortality and liberation (mukti). By the continuous repetition of “Om Namah Shivaya,” it's believed that the mind gets purified and the Shiva nature which is nothing separate or outside manifests itself.
Related Articles and Links
Learn more about the Panchakshara and listen to a recording of the Om Namah Shivaya Mantra. You might also be interested in two related articles about the Maha Mrtityunjaya Mantra and the Hindu Festival Shivaratri.
Martin Bohn - As a certified yoga teacher, I enjoy freelancing for various yoga magazines in different countries. In my main profession, I work as a ...
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