Om Namah Shivaya (Devanagari: ॐ नमः शिवाय;[1]IAST: Om Namaḥ Śivāya) is one of the most popular HinduMantra and the most important mantra in Shaivism. Namah Shivaya means 'O salutations to the auspicious one!', or “adoration to Lord Shiva'. It is called Siva Panchakshara, or Shiva Panchakshara or simply Panchakshara meaning the 'five-syllable' mantra (viz., excluding the Om) and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a holy salutation to Lord Shiva. This Mantra appears as 'Na' 'Ma' 'Śi' 'Vā' and 'Ya' in the Shri Rudram hymn which is a part of the Krishna Yajurveda[2] and also in the Rudrashtadhyayi which is a part of the Shukla Yajurveda.
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Origin of the mantra[edit]
This mantra is present in the Shri Rudram hymn which is part of the Krishna Yajurveda.[3][4]Shri Rudram hymn is taken from two chapters in fourth book of Taittiriya Samhita (TS 4.5, 4.7) of Krishna Yajurveda. Each chapter consist of eleven anuvaka or hymns.[5] Name of both chapters are Namakam (chapter five) and Chamakam (chapter seven) respectively.[6] Om Namah Shivaya mantra appears without OM in eighth hymn of Namakam(TS 4.5.8.1) as Namah shivaya ca shivataraya (Sanskrit: नमः शिवाय च शिवतराय च; IAST: Namaḥ śivāya ca śivatarāya ca). It means 'Salutations unto Śiva the auspicious one, unto Śivatara the one than whom none more auspicious can exist'.[7][8][9][10][11]
This mantra also appears in the Rudrashtadhyayi which is a part of the Shukla Yajurveda. In the Rudrashtadhyayi, the mantra appears in the 5th chapter (also known as Namakam) verse 41 as Namah shivaya ca shivataraya (Sanskrit: नमः शिवाय च शिवतराय च).[12][13][14]
Translations among different traditions[edit]
Namah Shivaya means 'O salutations to the auspicious one!', or “adoration to Lord Shiva' preceded by the devotional syllable 'Om'.
In Siddha Shaivism and Shaiva Siddhanta Shaivism traditions, Namah Shivaya is considered as Pancha Bodha Tatva of Lord Shiva and his universal oneness of five elements:
- Na sound represents earth
- Ma sound represents water
- Śi sound represents fire
- Vā sound represents Pranic air
- Ya sound represents sky or ether
Its total meaning is that 'universal consciousness is one' .
In the Shaiva Siddhanta Shaivism tradition the five letters also represents :
- Na is the Lord’s concealing grace
- Ma is the world
- Śi stands for Shiva
- Vā is His revealing grace
- Ya is the Ātman or soul[15]
The Tirumantiram (a scripture in Shaiva Siddhanta Shaivism) announces, “His feet are the letter Na. His navel is the letter Ma. His shoulders are the letter Śi. His mouth, the letter Vā. His radiant cranial center aloft is Ya. Thus is the five-lettered form of Shiva.”: Tirumantiram 941. TM[16][17]
Presence of mantra in different scriptures[edit]
- This Mantra appears as 'Na' 'Ma' 'Śi' 'Vā' and 'Ya' in the Shri Rudram hymn which is a part of the Krishna Yajurveda. Thus predates the use of Shiva as a proper name, in the original context being an address to Lord Rudra (later Shiva), where Shiva retains its original meaning as an adjective, meaning 'auspicious, benign, friendly', a euphemistic epithet of Rudra.[15]
- This mantra also appears in the Rudrashtadhyayi which is a part of the Shukla Yajurveda.[18]
- Whole Panchakshara Stotra is dedicated to this mantra.[19][20]
- Tirumantiram, a scripture written in Tamil language, speaks of the meaning of the mantra.[21]
- It also appears in the Shiva Purana in the chapter 1.2.10 (Shabda-Brahma Tanu) and in its Vidyeshvara samhita and in chapter 13 of the Vayaviya samhita of the Shiva Purana as 'Om Namaha Shivaya'.
- The Tamil Saivaite hymn Tiruvacakam begins with the five letters 'Na' 'Ma' 'Śi' 'Vā' and 'Ya'.
Usage[edit]
This mantra is repeated verbally or mentally, drawing the mind in upon itself to Lord Shiva’s infinite, all-pervasive presence. Traditionally it is repeated 108 times a day while keeping count on a strand of rudraksha beads. This practice is called japa yoga. It is freely sung and chanted by everyone, but it is most powerful when given by one’s guru. Before this initiation which is called mantra diksha, the guru will usually require a period of study. This initiation is often part of a temple ritual, such as a puja, japa, homa (fire ceremony), dhyana or and while smearing vibhuti. The guru whispers the mantra into the disciple’s right ear, along with instructions on how and when to chant it.[15]
Intended effect[edit]
This mantra is associated with qualities of prayer, divine-love, grace, truth, and blissfulness. When done correctly, it calms the mind and brings spiritual insight and knowledge. It also keeps the devotee close to Shiva and within His protective global fellowship.
Traditionally, it is accepted to be a powerful healing mantra beneficial for all physical and mental ailments. Soulful recitation of this mantra brings peace to the heart and joy to the Ātman or soul. Many Hindu teachers consider that the recitation of these syllables is sound therapy for the body and nectar for the Ātman.[22] The nature of the mantra is the calling upon the higher self; it is the calling upon Shiva.
In popular culture[edit]
Television[edit]
Om Namah Shivay was also a TV serial telecasted on an Indian TV Channel, DD National (DD-1).
In season 8, episode 2 of Family Guy (episode titled 'Family Goy'), Meg chants Om Namah Shivaya several times, after Stewie pulls her heart out.
Movie[edit]
These words were chanted by a prisoner as his heart was ripped out by Mola Ram in the 1984 George Lucas and Steven Spielberg film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
In Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia (2007), Elizabeth Gilbert explained that the first chant provided by her guru was 'Om Namah Shivaya.'[23] Gilbert wrote that this meant 'I honor the divinity within me.'[24]
Game[edit]
These words are chanted by characters Yogi & Reggie as in the 2014 video game Far Cry 4 as the protagonist experiments with their psychedelic concoctions; the fictional religion in the game is loosely based on Hinduism, thus the chant.
Music lyrics[edit]
'Om Namah Shivaya' is also featured in the 'Mahadeva' tune by Astral Projection, a popular psychedelic trance band.
'Om Namah Shivaya' is also featured in the 'Serpente' (Serpent, snake) song in the SETEVIDAS (SEVENLIVES) album (Deckdisc, 2014) by the Brazilian singer Pitty, the princess of rock in Brazil.
Guitarist Steve Hillage also recorded a psychedelic rock version of the song on his 1976 album L, produced by Todd Rundgren.
Om Namah Shivay is the tenth album (and eighth solo album) by Nina Hagen, released in 1999.
'Om Namah Shiva' is found in Jah Wobble's Heaven and Earth album.
'Om Namah Shivaya' is found in MC Yogi's Elephant Power album.
'Om Namaha Shiva' is found on Shiela Chandra's Weaving My Ancestors' Voices album.
'Om Namah Shivaya' Peace offering is found on Apache Indian's Best of Apache Indian 2000 album.
'Om Namah Shivaya' is found on Album Vairagya: Bonding with Beyond by Isha Sounds.
'Om Namah Shivaya” is found on the album “Om Namah Shivah' by Robert Gass & On Wings of Song, and is a 43 minute version of the mantra.
'Om Namah Shivaya' is the chorus in 'Song for Zane', found on the EP 'On the One' by Mike Lindup, released on 17 March 2011.
'Om Namah Shivaya' is chanted in the outro of 'Loose Your Mind' on the album 'Ready or Not' by Wookiefoot, released in 2012.
'Om Namah Shivaya' is found throughout the album 'Invocation' by Various Artists, released in 2006.[25]
'Namah Shivaya' is the first track on the 'Krishna Das' album 'Pilgrim Heart.'
'Om Namah Shivaya' is used by Shpongle in the track 'Juggling Molecules', from their 'Museum of Consciousness' album.
Contemporary developments[edit]
Om Namah Shivaya has gained wider use outside India as a result of Siddha Yoga, founded by Swami Muktananda, in which it is the main mantra used for meditation and chanting.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^'OM namah Shivaya in russian'.
- ^Satguru Bodhinatha, Veylanswami (2017). What Is the Namaḥ Śivāya Mantra? from the 'Path to Siva' Book. USA: Himalayan Academy. pp. chapter 16. ISBN9781934145722.
- ^'Śrī Rudram'(PDF). sec. Introduction.
- ^'Introduction to 'Rudram''. sec. What is Rudram ?.
- ^'Sri Rudram'. sec. Introduction.
- ^'Sri Rudram'.
- ^'Rudram'(PDF). vedaunion. p. anuvaka 8 of Namakam at page-22.
- ^'sri rudram exposition (search for 'namaḥ śivāya ca śivatarāya ca' in the PDF on page 3)'(PDF). vedaunion.org. p. 3.
- ^'sri-rudram'(PDF). skandagurunatha.org. p. 4.
- ^'Sri Rudram - Introduction'.
- ^'which verse of sri rudram of yajurveda has word shiva (search as 'Most importantly 1st verse of 8th Anuvaka mentions the word Shiva as')'. hinduism.stackexchange.com.
- ^'RUDRASTADHYAYI'. www.archive.org.
- ^'Introduction to rudrashtadhyayi'. www.shreemaa.org.
- ^'RUDRASTADHYAYI'.
- ^ abcVeylanswami, Bodhinatha (2016). 'What Is the Namaḥ Śivāya Mantra?'. Path to Siva. Himalayan academy. p. 16. ISBN9781934145739.
- ^Dancing with Siva. Himalayan Academy. 1997. ISBN9780945497479.
- ^Dancing with Siva. Scriptural Verses, Maṇḍala 28: Affirmations of Faith,403 Tirumantiram 941. TM: Himalayan Academy. 1997. ISBN9780945497479.
- ^'rudrashtadhyayi'. p. Check first verse's second line. There you can see namah shivaya written in Sanskrit.
- ^'Pachakshara stotram'.
- ^'shiva panchakshara stotra'.
- ^'Dancing with Siva'.
- ^http://www.yogavidya.com/Yoga/ShivaSamhita.pdf
- ^Elizabeth Gilbert (2007). Eat, Pray, Love. p. 133.
- ^'Other Prayers: Aum Namah Shivaya Mantra'. www.AradiaGoddess.com. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
- ^http://www.tyburhoe.com/shop/ptmtug2trh30rjel5yfsd9mac1uyys
External links[edit]
Om Hrim Namah Shivaya lyrics in Sanskrit:
„Om Hrim Namah Shivaya Tas Mai Shri Gurave Namaha.”
Om Hrim Namah Shivaya Mantra meaning:
Om – Om is an ancient Sanskrit „word” that was first felt by rishis as they meditated. The sacred sound of Om is also called Pranava, meaning that it sustains life and runs through breath or Prana. The healing vibration produced by reciting Om in the physical universe corresponds to the original sacred vibration that first arose at the time of creation. Om is a matrix of all sounds when in its diversified form gives rise to all words used in language.
Hrim – The blessings of this syllable is like the spiritual nature of the Sun, especially in terms of illumination. It increases our receptivity and aspiration to Divine light, truth and wisdom. It’s pure vibration also has the ability to heal us. Hrim is everything that can conceive in the mind, perceived by the senses, known through meditation or intuition, and beyond.
Namah – This literally translates to bow.
Shivaya – In Hinduism, Lord Shiva is considered as the representation of the Supreme Being. Lord Shiva is known as the 3rd element in the Hindu Trinity (Trimurti), the other 2 members being Lord Vishnu – the protector and Lord Brahma – the creator. The word Shiva has many meanings. Lord Shiva is the supreme reality, the inner Self. It is the name given to consciousness that dwells in all. Lord Shiva is the name of your true identity – your self.
He is said to be half man and half woman. In the full figure of Lord Siva, the female and male principles are united. Shiva Linga – the symbol of Shiva which consists of both Lingam (phallus) and yoni (the female organ) signifies the totality of his nature and the totality of all created existence.
Mantra translation in English:
„I bow to that Supreme Consciousness
As the Universal Divine resonance
That vibrates within my heart.”
Featured image source – vestibune.net
Related posts:
“Om Namah Shivaya”
Mantra’s written and chanted since ancient times have something more than religion attached to them. We must understand that what is called “mythology” is actually lack of understanding of these ancient texts. The mantras are nothing but research documents submitted by ‘Rishis’ who spent most of their lives trying to find solutions to and meaning of our existence. Although over the years, these texts have been hijacked by religious heads and fundamentalists thereby giving it a religious flavor, their significance remains the same nonetheless. Here, let us try to understand the concept of Om Namah Shivaya and how to think of it as a universal gift to all human kind rather than a religious chant.
Breaking down the mantra
In ancient Indian texts, ‘Om’ pronounced Aum,is considered as the sound of the universe. Universe is an ocean of peace and love. Hence chanting ‘Om’ invokes peace, love and harmony. Now, let us break down the remaining part of the mantra, Namah Shivaya:
Na – Earth
Mah – Water
Shi – Fire
Va – Air
Ya – Ether or sky
These five elements are the absolute in the universe. So when a person chants “Om Namah Shivaya”, it means “Let there be peace, harmony and love in all the five elements”. When all the 5 elements are in harmony in a person’s body, the only outcome is bliss and joy.
The power of Om Namah Shivaya according to ancient texts
The syllables ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ is considered as one of the most powerful mantra in ancient Indian texts. Some of the notable benefits mentioned are as follows:-
- Sages consider that the recitation of these syllables is sound therapy for the body and nectar for the soul (Ātman).
- It controls your ego, anger, aggression and gives peace by relieving stress from the mind.
- Astrologically, it is also said to benefit those under the negative influence of planets in their natal chart. This mantra minimizes the negative influence arising from planetary position thereby offering relief to the person.
- Om Namah Shivaya is a mantra which helps you understand your inner-self. It is only by understanding our inner-self can we unlock our true potential.
Lets take religion out of the picture
Chanting of mantra is helpful no matter what their religious origin maybe. The vibrations created by the syllables actually help activating the chakras in our body thereby helps in cleaning, rejuvenating and transmitting positive vibes. Mantra also helps the individual to focus his/her attention on the right things thereby increasing productivity. Chanting also helps in creating awareness.
What we need to ensure however, is not to assign any religion to these mantras. All ancient Indian texts gives emphasis to the idea of being unattached. Thus, the true spirit of meditation is to find the inner-self without getting into the unnecessary conditions of religion, caste or creed. We must always remember that mantras are sound and vibrations. The universe does not discriminate a sound based on its religious origin.
Use this mantra to discover your inner-self without attachment to it. Chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ will help you calm down, relax and focus on your inner-self. Use this ancient gift to your advantage.
Om Namah Shivaya Effects
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ॐ नमः शिवाय॥
Om Namah Shivaya॥
मन्त्र का अनुवाद
हे शिव! आपको बार-बार प्रणाम है। आपकी जय हो।
Translation of the Mantra
I bow to Shiva. Shiva is the supreme reality, the inner Self. It is the name given to consciousness that dwells in all.
Shiva Moola Mantra
“Wear rudraksha beads, repeat the Panchakshara, let your heart grow soft and melt. Chant the letters five, and in love you will discover Siva’s will. Chant so that impurities, anxieties and doubts are destroyed.” These are what some pious holy priests had said to our equally pious ancestors.
This is what will be said on the regular religious program on TV during advertisements on channels such as Aastha or Aaj Tak. This is what will be encouraged on the minds of ascetics for them to achieve inner solace and enlightenment. This is what will be the general and common preaching of any Shaivite or devotee of Lord Shiva.
Let’s chant the holy words of devotion, Om Namah Shivaya.
This mantra is said to be the heart of all the Vedas and Tantras. Om Namah Shivaya is found, quite literally,in the middle of the Vedas, in the Rudram. In the Agamas its meaning is elaborated upon.
Natchintanai says that,
“Namah Shivaya is in truth both Agama and Veda. Namah Shivaya represents all mantras and Tantras. Namah Shivaya is our souls, our bodies and possessions. Namah Shivaya has becomeour sure protection.”
It is difficult to give a clear meaning to the mantra. The easy exposition of it would be “Om, I bow to Shiva”. But this interpretation does not do it justice. Shiva means Auspicious, so it could be said that the Om Namah Shivaya mantra means bowing to the auspiciousness. Shiva however should be understood in the fuller context, and not in the overly simplistic picture that is typically given in books and websites as a god of destruction.
In Shaivism and other Hindu systems, Shiva is the formless transcendental Being (often called Paramashiva), the Divine source. This is the source that rests in each and everyone. It is not a god seperate from yourself, it is the core being of yourself. Nothing external or separate from you, rather it is your heart of hearts. More important than the literal translated meaning of this mantra is it’s sound, it’s vibration. Just as with all mantras the sound of it is more important than its literal meaning. This mantra is also known as the five syllabled mantra – Panchakshari Mantra, for it consists of five syllables, Na – Ma – Shi – Va – Ya. The start of the mantra, Om, does constitute as a syllable because it is the Mahabija, the great seed from which all other mantras and sounds arose. The syllables within the mantra are said to have a range of meanings and attributes.
Let’s view the words of another holy priest about the Om Namah Shivaya mantra. Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami writes that,
‘Na is the Lord’s concealing grace, Ma is the world, Shi stands for Siva, Va is His revealing grace, Ya is the soul.’ He continues,elaborating,that,”the five elements, too, are embodied in this ancient formula for invocation. Na is earth, Ma is water, Shi is fire, Va is air, and Ya is ether, or akāsa. Many are its meanings.”
Paramahamsa Muktananda also eloquently explains this point and tells of how the Om Namah Shivaya mantra benefits ones mind and spiritual path, he speaks of the nadi’s, the channels of pranas and the purity of mind. Repeating this mantra rids the mind of tamas and rajas, making it suitable for lofty spiritual experience.
Paramahamsa Muktanandaji has said the following words in relation to the Om Namah Shivaya mantra:-
“Underlying this mantra is a great secret. As we chant the five syllables Namah Shivaya, the five elements that comprise the body are purified. Each of the syllables corresponds to one of these elements: the syllable na to the earth element, the syllable ma to the water element, the syllable shi to the fire element, the syllable va to the air element, and the syllable ya to the ether element. Each syllable purifies its corresponding element. As long as the body and the mind are not completely pure, we cannot fully benefit from our spiritual practice. Therefore, we repeat Om Namah Shivaya to help cleanse them.”
Om Namah Shivaya Lyrics
In a certain Yoga Magazine, Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati has expounded somewhat on the vibrational quality of the mantra and its relationship with the main chakras, he says
“When we repeat the mantra Om Namah Shivaya, for example, we are not becoming a Shaivite, we are not adoring or worshipping a deity, but we are stimulating the force of these different chakras. ” Om” is the sound of ajna chakra which is responsible for clarity, for creativity, for the intuitive faculty of mind. Ya or Yam is the mantra of anahata, Va or Vam is the mantra of swadhisthana. Similarly Na, Ma, Sha are different sounds or syllables corresponding to the different chakras.”
Subramuniyaswami again offers some elucidation on the mantra’s relationship with the chakras, and other matters such as prana and the astral. The sage says that
“When Om Namah Shivaya is repeated, we go through the chakras, Na Ma Si Va Ya Aum. The Aum is in the head chakra. Within Namah Sivaya is each of the elements–earth, water, fire,air and ether–which in the mind are transmuted into all-pervasive consciousness, and that is also transmuted into the great chakra way above the head at the end of the Aum. In just the breath, the space of time between the next repetition of “Aum Namah Sivaya Aum Namah Sivaya Aum Namah Sivaya,” the pranas, having reached Parashiva, fall back into the spiritual, mental, astral and physical worlds, blessing them all with new energy, new life and new understanding. “Namah Sivaya Aum, Namah Sivaya Aum, Namah Sivaya Aum, Namah Sivaya Aum” is the constant process of life. It is the essence of life itself.”
It is really only in the repeating of this mantra, whether aloud or mentally, that a true taste of what it is can be had.
For the Om Namah Shivaya mantra is the sole passage towards attaining the blessings of Lord Shiva. For these are the sole holy words towards attaining enlightenment and peace of mind. And this,is the vital secret behind this very mantra. Now we must have gained some knowledge as to why it is indeed,so very vital .
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