Om namah shiva

The Panchakshara Mantra is the main and most sacred mantra for all schools of Shaivism , both past and present. Volumes of studies are written about its meaning and significance. It is believed that in its five syllables the whole universe is enclosed. There are two main interpretations of this mantra: ^[1]

• Interpretation of Jnani . The word namah (नमः) means a limited human soul ( jiva , जिव). The word иваiva (शिव) means the World Spirit ( Paramatman ). The ending “ ya ” (указывает) indicates the identity of Jiva and Paramatman . The syllable Om (ॐ) symbolizes the destruction of Maya - illusion.
• Interpretation of bhakti . The syllable " om " (ॐ) means "the whole world, living and nonliving." The word namah (नमः) is an abbreviation for namama (ама मम) - not mine, not for me. The word shivaya (शिवाय) means "for Shiva ." The mantra as a whole is translated as follows: this whole world, living and nonliving, does not belong to me, exists not for me, but for Shiva .

Although it has a direct translation - Worship of the Good - its main meaning is not in words, but in sounds, its components, which, in turn, are associated with the five primary elements (earth, water, fire, air and akasha ) and the guise of Shiva - Panchamukha or Panchanana ([Possessing] Five faces). ^[2]

Shaivism , as well as Hinduism in general, believes that the universe consists of vibrations, and vibrations give rise to forms - for example, the name of Shiva in the Panchakshara mantra gives rise to Shiva in the hypostasis of Maheshvara . ^[3]

The Panchakshara mantra is one of the few mantras in Hinduism for which preliminary diksa (initiation) is not required - although some schools in Shivaism insist on its necessity:

It can be read aloud, in a whisper and mentally; at any time of the day - however, reading the japa of the Panchakshara mantra on the Rudraksha-mal during the Brahma-muhurtha (approximately 4 a.m.) is considered the best.

The Panchakshara mantra can be of several types: ^[3]

1. Sthula Panchakshara - Namah Sivaya;
2. Sukshma-Panchakshara - Sivaya Namah;
3. Karana Panchakshara - Shivaya Shiva;
4. Mahakarana-Panchakshara - Sivaya;
5. Mahamanu Panchakshara or Mukti Panchakshara - Shi.

The scriptures of Hinduism and Shaivism - primarily the Puranas - constantly praise the greatness of the Panchakshara Mantra:

The essence of the Vedas is hidden in Sri Rudram . The meaning of Sri Rudram is revealed with the help of Panchakshara.

Shiva Purana

The five-syllable Panchakshara is the abode of the Lord. Namah Shiva is the manifested form of Panchakshara. Shiva namah is her subtle form. So He is present in this mantra - manifested and unmanifest.

Thirumantiram , 919

The mystical expression “Namah Shivaya” is the sacred name of Lord Siva , the sum and essence of the four Vedas and leads along the sacred path souls full of devotion that recite this mantra with a lightened heart, and tears flow from their eyes.

Tirumurai

वेदाः साङ्गा पुराणानि मन्त्राश्च बहवस्तथा।

आगमा विविधा देवि विद्यास्थानानि यानि च।

पञ्चाक्षरे प्रलीयन्ते निर्गच्छन्ति पुनस्ततः॥

Vedas with Vedangas, Puranas, as well as numerous mantras, various Agamas. All these teachings dissolve in the Five-syllable (Panchakshara) mantra and arise again from it.

Sukshma Agama , Kriya Pada, 3.75 ^[6]

विद्यासु श्रुतिरुत्कृष्टा रुद्रैकादशिनी श्रुतौ।

तत्र पञ्चाक्षरी तस्यां शिव इत्यक्षरद्वयम्॥

Among the teachings, the best is the Sruti (Vedas). In Sruti, the best is 11 anuwak (lessons) of Rudradhyaya . There is the best - Five-syllable mantra. And in this mantra the best is a pair of SHI-VA syllables.

Karana Agama , Kriya Pada, 8.4

A pair of SHIVA syllables is the essence of the Vedas . In this word "a" rags the Rig-Veda and Sama-Veda , as they both begin with "a". “And” is the essence of the Yajur Veda , which begins with “and.” “Sh” is Atharva-veda , which begins with “sh.” “ C ” is Vyakarana , which begins with “c”.

Karana agama

नास्ति ज्ञानात् परं मित्रं न भक्तेः साधनं परम्।

न शैवादधिको मर्त्यो मन्त्रः पञ्चाक्षरः परः॥

There is no better friend than knowledge. There is no practice better than devotion. No mortal is better than naughty . The five syllable mantra is the best.

Parameshvara Agama 10.90

तस्मादपि श्रेष्ठतरा मम पञ्चाक्षरी शिवे।

अस्य मन्त्रस्य चैवान्ये उपमन्त्राः प्रकीर्तिताः॥

Better than that (Aghora) mantra is my Five-syllable mantra. The remaining mantras are its branches.

Sukshma Agama , Kriya Pada, 3.6

मन्त्रान्तरेषु सिद्धेषु मन्त्र एष न सिद्ध्यति।

अस्मिन् सिद्धे महामन्त्रे तेऽपि सिद्धा भवन्ति हि॥

When other mantras are realized, this mantra is not realized. But when this great mantra is realized, all other mantras are realized.

Chandrajnana Agama , Kriya Pada, 8.92

“She should be pronounced twofold with pranava at the beginning, with women and sudras she is pronounced without pranava with“ NAMAH ”at the end.”

Chandrajnana Agama , 8.10

In his trilogy, “The Catechism of Hinduism, ” Shiva Subramuniyaswami writes:

“Namah Shivaya” is one of the main Vedic mantras. It means “worship of Shiva” and is called the panchakshara (five-letter) mantra. Its heavenly sounds contain an intuitive knowledge of Shaivism. Aum.

“Namah Shivaya” is the holiest of the names of God Shiva, recorded in the very core of the Vedas and explained in the Shaiva agamah. Na is the concealing grace of God, Ma is the world, Shi means Shiva, Va is His grace of revelation, Ya is the soul. Five elements are also embodied in this ancient formula for invoking God. Na is earth, Ma is water, Shea is fire, Ba is air, and Ya is ether, or akasha. The meanings of this mantra are many. “Namah Shivaya” has such power that even a simple utterance of these syllables will surely play a role in saving the soul from the bonds of the treacherous instinctive mind and steel shackles of sophisticated external intelligence. The Namah Shivaya restrains instinct, breaks the steel shackles and deploys this intellect inward and on itself, so that it can look at itself and see its ignorance. The wise proclaim that the mantra is life, the mantra is action, the mantra is love, and the repetition of the mantra, japa, produces the effect of an explosion of wisdom from within. In the holy book Natchintanay it is declared: “Namah Shivaya” - this is truly both Agama and Veda. “Namah Shivaya” represents all mantras and tantras. “Namah Shivaya” is our souls, our bodies and our possessions. The mantra "Namah Shivaya" has become our reliable defense. "Aum Namah Shivaya. ^[7]

Those who are initiated into the Panchakshara Mantra (Aum Namah Shiva) have an advantage, since repeating this mantra will lead them to a direct vision of the perfect Universe of Lord Shiva and they themselves will become an alloy of Vedanta and Siddhanta. ^[eight]

• Shiva
• Rudra Sukta
• Shaivism
• Mantra
• Japa
• Yajur Veda

• Swami Sivananda Lord Shiva and his veneration
• Shiva Subramunyaswami . Dance with shiva
• Shiva Subramunyaswami . Merging with Shiva