The Panch-Akshara Mantra

From the Shiva Upaasanaa (Shiva Worship), a SWAHA publication (page 10)

The Panch-akshara, a five-syllable mantra in praise of Bhagavan Shiva, is one of the five mantras given by Bhagavan Shankar at the time of creation. This ancient formula, Om Namah Shivaaya, a wish-fulfilling mantra, is also found in the Vedas. The word namah means prostrations, adoration or homage while Shivaaya means the Auspicious One, that Absolute Reality, the One who is the Indweller in all beings. Literally translated, the meaning is: “I bow to you, Lord Shiva.”

A brief look at the syllables that comprise the mantra indicates some of the attributes of Lord Shiva. For example:

Na –  Naagendra,  the One who wears the garland of snakes;

Ma – Mandaakini Salila, the One whose hair is adorned by Gangaa Maataa;

Shi – Shiva, the Supreme Lord, the One who symbolises the ultimate goal of all existence;

Va – Vashishta, who praises the Lord;

Ya – One who takes the form of Yaksha.

The five syllables can be said to signify the five mahaabhutas or elements of the subtle body. These constitutive principles, with the tan-maatras are:

Aakash – ether – sound;

Vaayu – wind – sound & touch;

Tejas – fire – sound, touch & form;

Jal – water – sound, touch, form, taste & smell;

Prithvi – earth – sound, touch, form, taste & smell.

The primordial sound, Om,  the pranav or seed mantra, used at the beginning of this and indeed, all mantras, carries many energies for it has inherent in it the five-fold duties of Paramshiva. The chanting of Om greatly enhances one’s own creative, sustaining and destroying energies.

In the worship of Shiva Bhagavan, when the Panch-akshara mantra is chanted with Omkar pranav, it leads one to the heights of spiritual perfection. Every syllable of the mantra activates some part of the body thus pushing to hasten the activation of the chakras or energy centres. As energy centres are activated, the spiritual aspirant is led out of the state of ignorance, wisdom bursts forth and one transcends the tattvas. The quality of vairaagya or dispassion is developed and one is led to the state of highest consciousness where one realises the truth of the Mahaavaakyas: Chidaananda Roopaha Shivoham Shivoham.

This Shiva mantra can also be chanted in the following way, adding to its auspiciousness and efficacy:

Om Namah Shivaaya Shubham Shubham Kuru Kuru Shivaaya Namah Om.