Shiva Panchakshari Stotram

Shiva Panchakshari Stotram

Shiva Panchakshari Stotram is a revered hymn dedicated to Lord Shiva, composed by the great saint Adi Shankaracharya. This stotra praises Lord Shiva using the powerful five-syllable mantra “Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya”, which is considered one of the most sacred chants in Shaivism.

Meaning of Panchakshari

The term Panchakshari means “five syllables,” referring to the Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya mantra. Each syllable represents a fundamental element of existence:

1. Na (न) – Earth (Prithvi)
2. Ma (म) – Water (Jal)
3. Shi (शि) – Fire (Agni)
4. Va (वा) – Air (Vayu)
5. Ya (य) – Space (Aakash)

This mantra is believed to invoke Lord Shiva’s divine energy, bestowing blessings, peace, and spiritual progress upon the devotee.

The Shiva Panchakshari Stotram consists of six verses, where the first five verses explain the significance of each syllable of the Panchakshari mantra.

1st Verse – ‘Na’ Kara (न)

नागेन्द्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय
भस्माङ्गरागाय महेश्वराय।
नित्याय शुद्धाय दिगम्बराय
तस्मै नकाराय नमः शिवाय॥

Meaning: Salutations to Lord Shiva, who wears the king of serpents as an ornament, has three eyes, is smeared with holy ash, and is ever-pure, eternal, and beyond material possessions. I bow to the syllable “Na” of the Panchakshari mantra.

2nd Verse – ‘Ma’ Kara (म)

मन्दाकिनीसलिलचन्दनचर्चिताय
नन्दीश्वरप्रमथनाथ महेश्वराय।
मन्दारपुष्पबहुपुष्पसुपूजिताय
तस्मै मकाराय नमः शिवाय॥

Meaning: Salutations to Lord Shiva, who is anointed with the sacred waters of the Ganga, who is the Lord of Nandi and all divine beings, and who is worshipped with beautiful Mandara flowers. I bow to the syllable “Ma” of the Panchakshari mantra.

3rd Verse – ‘Shi’ Kara (शि)

शिवाय गौरीवदनाब्जवृन्द
सूर्याय दक्षाध्वरनाशकाय।
श्रीनीलकण्ठाय वृषध्वजाय
तस्मै शिकाराय नमः शिवाय॥

Meaning: Salutations to Lord Shiva, who is the consort of Goddess Parvati, who has the radiance of the sun, who destroyed Daksha’s Yajna, who is known as Neelakantha (blue-throated), and who carries the bull as his emblem. I bow to the syllable “Shi” of the Panchakshari mantra.

4th Verse – ‘Va’ Kara (वा)

वशिष्ठकुम्भोद्भवगौतमार्यमूनीन्द्रदेवार्चितशेखराय।
चन्द्रार्कवैश्वानरलोचनाय
तस्मै वकाराय नमः शिवाय॥

Meaning: Salutations to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped by sages like Vasistha, Agastya, and Gautama, who wears the moon as an ornament, and whose eyes resemble the sun, the moon, and fire. I bow to the syllable “Va” of the Panchakshari mantra.

5th Verse – ‘Ya’ Kara (य)

यज्ञस्वरूपाय जितेन्द्रियाय
दिगम्बरायाथ दिव्याय देवाय।
नित्याय शुद्धाय निरञ्जनाय
तस्मै यकाराय नमः शिवाय॥

Meaning: Salutations to Lord Shiva, who is the embodiment of sacrifice, who has conquered the senses, who is ever-pure, who wears the sky as his robe, and who is beyond material existence. I bow to the syllable “Ya” of the Panchakshari mantra.

6th Verse – Phala Shruti (Benefits of Chanting)

पञ्चाक्षरमिदं पुण्यं
यः पठेच्छिवसन्निधौ।
शिवलोकमवाप्नोति
शिवेन सह मोदते॥

Meaning: Whoever chants this sacred Panchakshari Stotram in the presence of Lord Shiva will attain Shiva Loka (the abode of Shiva) and experience eternal bliss with Him.

Significance of Shiva Panchakshari Stotram

1. Spiritual Upliftment – Reciting this stotra helps in attaining mental peace, spiritual wisdom, and devotion to Lord Shiva.
2. Removal of Sins – It is believed that chanting this stotra washes away all past sins and bestows divine blessings.
3. Protection from Negative Forces – The Panchakshari mantra acts as a shield against negative energies and strengthens inner power.
4. Attainment of Moksha – Devotees who recite this stotra with devotion are blessed with liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death.
5. Improves Concentration & Focus – It enhances meditation and helps practitioners attain a deep state of inner peace and awareness.

Best Time & Method to Chant

• The best time to recite the Shiva Panchakshari Stotram is early morning or during Pradosh Kaal (evening time).
• Chanting on Mondays, Maha Shivaratri, and during Shiva Ratri periods is considered highly auspicious.
• Recite the stotra 108 times or at least 11 times daily for maximum benefits.
• Offer bilva leaves, water, and milk to a Shiva Linga while chanting.

Shiva Panchakshari Stotram In English

ōṃ namaḥ śivāya śivāya namaḥ ōṃ
ōṃ namaḥ śivāya śivāya namaḥ ōṃ

nāgēndrahārāya trilōchanāya
bhasmāṅgarāgāya mahēśvarāya ।
nityāya śuddhāya digambarāya
tasmai “na” kārāya namaḥ śivāya ॥ 1 ॥

mandākinī salila chandana charchitāya
nandīśvara pramathanātha mahēśvarāya ।
mandāra mukhya bahupuṣpa supūjitāya
tasmai “ma” kārāya namaḥ śivāya ॥ 2 ॥

śivāya gaurī vadanābja bṛnda
sūryāya dakṣādhvara nāśakāya ।
śrī nīlakaṇṭhāya vṛṣabhadhvajāya
tasmai “śi” kārāya namaḥ śivāya ॥ 3 ॥

vaśiṣṭha kumbhōdbhava gautamārya
munīndra dēvārchita śēkharāya ।
chandrārka vaiśvānara lōchanāya
tasmai “va” kārāya namaḥ śivāya ॥ 4 ॥

yajña svarūpāya jaṭādharāya
pināka hastāya sanātanāya ।
divyāya dēvāya digambarāya
tasmai “ya” kārāya namaḥ śivāya ॥ 5 ॥

pañchākṣaramidaṃ puṇyaṃ yaḥ paṭhēchChiva sannidhau ।
śivalōkamavāpnōti śivēna saha mōdatē ॥