📖 About
Om Namah Shivaya is the Panchakshara (five-syllable) mantra of Shaiva tradition from the Krishna Yajurveda's Sri Rudram. The five syllables Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya correspond to the five elements constituting all of existence. Chanting it is simultaneously a devotional act (surrendering to Shiva) and a scientific act (working with all five elements in the body). Thirumular called it the Maha Vakya (Great Statement) of Shaivism.
🌸 Tamil
ஓம் நமச்சிவாய
ந — நிலம் (Earth) — உடலின் திண்மை, ஆதாரம், ஸ்திரம்
ம — நீர் (Water) — உடலின் ஓட்டம், உணர்வு, நீர்மம்
சி — நெருப்பு (Fire) — உடலின் வெப்பம், மாற்றம், ஒளி
வ — காற்று (Air) — உடலின் மூச்சு, இயக்கம், பிராணன்
ய — ஆகாயம் (Space) — உடலின் வெட்டவெளி, ஆன்மா, விழிப்பு
ஓம் = பிரணவம் — பிரபஞ்சத்தின் மூல ஒலி — எல்லாவற்றிலும் எல்லாமுமான ஒலி
🔤 Transliteration
Om Namah Shivaya
Na = Earth — solidity, foundation, stability
Ma = Water — flow, feeling, fluidity
Shi = Fire — heat, transformation, light
Va = Air — breath, movement, prana
Ya = Space — void, soul, awareness
Om = Pranava — The primal sound of the universe
🌐 English
Om. I bow to Shiva.
Na = Earth element — Shiva as the solid, stable foundation of all existence
Ma = Water element — Shiva as the flow, nourishment and feeling of life
Shi = Fire element — Shiva as transforming, purifying, illuminating energy
Va = Air element — Shiva as breath, movement, and life-force (prana)
Ya = Space element — Shiva as the infinite, omnipresent consciousness in which all exists
Om = The primordial vibration from which all creation emerged and into which all returns
💡 Meaning
Each syllable of Om Namah Shivaya IS one of the five elements. When you chant Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya, you are: (1) Invoking all five elements in your body, (2) Recognizing Shiva as the source of all five elements, (3) Surrendering each element back to its source. This is the deepest level of meaning: not just prayer but a complete cosmological statement that aligns your personal existence with universal existence.
🌸 Tamil
பஞ்சாட்சர யோக சாஸ்திரம்
ந — மூலாதார சக்கரம் (Root) — Earth, stability
ம — ஸ்வாதிஷ்டான சக்கரம் (Sacral) — Water, creativity
சி — மணிபூரக சக்கரம் (Solar plexus) — Fire, will-power
வ — அனாஹத சக்கரம் (Heart) — Air, love
ய — விஷுத்தி சக்கரம் (Throat) — Space, expression
ஜப முறை:
108 முறை — தினசரி
1008 முறை — திருவிழா நாட்கள்
ரூத்திராட்சம் மாலை உபயோகிக்கலாம்
🔤 Transliteration
Panchakshara Yoga Sastra (Five-Syllable Yoga Science)
Na = Mooladhara chakra (Root)
Ma = Svadhishthana chakra (Sacral)
Shi = Manipura chakra (Solar plexus)
Va = Anahata chakra (Heart)
Ya = Vishuddha chakra (Throat)
Japa practice:
108 times — daily practice
1008 times — festival days
Rudraksha mala recommended
🌐 English
The Five-Syllable Yoga Science (Panchakshara Yoga Sastra)
Each syllable activates and purifies a specific chakra:
Na — Mooladhara (root) chakra — Earth, grounding, stability, security
Ma — Svadhishthana (sacral) chakra — Water, creativity, relationships, flow
Shi — Manipura (solar plexus) chakra — Fire, will-power, transformation, digestion
Va — Anahata (heart) chakra — Air, love, compassion, joy
Ya — Vishuddha (throat) chakra — Space, communication, truth, expression
How to practice:
Chant 108 times daily using a Rudraksha mala (108 beads)
Chant 1008 times on Mondays, Pradosham days, or Mahashivaratri
Sit comfortably with spine erect, breathe naturally, and chant each syllable clearly
💡 Meaning
The five syllables map precisely onto the five lower chakras. Chanting Om Namah Shivaya is therefore a complete chakra purification practice that works from the root upward. The two highest chakras (Ajna and Sahasrara) are represented by "Om" itself. A complete round of 108 repetitions takes about 10-15 minutes and provides: grounding (Na), emotional balance (Ma), clarity of purpose (Shi), open heart (Va), and clear expression (Ya).
🌸 Tamil
அஜப ஜபம் — மூச்சுடன் மந்திரம்
மூச்சிழுக்கும் போது: சிவ (Shi-Va)
மூச்சுவிடும் போது: நம-ய (Na-Ma-Ya)
ஒரு நாளில் 21,600 மூச்சு = 21,600 ஓம் நமச்சிவாய
ஆழ்ந்த தியானத்தில் மந்திரம் தானாகவே நடக்கும்
ஒவ்வொரு மூச்சும் சிவ வழிபாடு ஆகும்
ஸோஹம் = நான் அவன் (I am That)
ஓம் நமச்சிவாய = நான் சிவன் (I am Shiva)
ஆத்மா = பரமாத்மா (Self = Universal Self)
🔤 Transliteration
Ajapa Japa — Mantra with breath
Inhale: Shi-Va
Exhale: Na-Ma-Ya
21,600 breaths per day = 21,600 Om Namah Shivayas
In deep meditation the mantra continues automatically
Every breath becomes Shiva worship
Soham = I am That
Om Namah Shivaya = I am Shiva
Atma = Paramatma (Self = Universal Self)
🌐 English
Ajapa Japa — The Unspoken Chanting (Mantra with Breath)
Inhale: 'Shi-Va' (Shiva receives — the auspicious one expanding)
Exhale: 'Na-Ma-Ya' (I bow, surrender, release)
This synchronizes the mantra with breath:
- 21,600 natural breaths per day = 21,600 effortless Om Namah Shivayas
- In deep meditation, the mantra continues without effort — 'unchanted chanting'
- Every breath becomes an act of worship — no separate prayer time needed
Progressive meanings of the mantra:
Beginner: 'I bow to Shiva' (devotion)
Intermediate: 'I come to That' (aspiration)
Advanced: 'I am Shiva' (identity, non-duality)
Soham ('I am That') → Om Namah Shivaya → Shivoham ('I am Shiva') — the same truth at deeper levels
💡 Meaning
The Ajapa Japa is the highest form of mantra practice. "Ajapa" means "unchanted" — the mantra that chants itself. When the mantra synchronizes with breath, it requires no mental effort; it happens naturally like the heartbeat. This is why Thirumantiram (Thirumular) says this is the most powerful practice: it transforms the most unconscious act (breathing) into the most conscious act (divine remembrance). The three progressive meanings show that the same mantra serves seekers at all stages of the spiritual journey.
🌸 Tamil
நமச்சிவாயவின் ஐந்து அர்த்தங்கள்
1. நமக்கு சிவன் = Shiva belongs to us (நம் + சிவன்)
2. நான் சிவன் = I am Shiva (நான் + சிவன்)
3. நமஸ்காரம் + ஞானம் + வாய் = Surrender + Wisdom + Expression
4. நிலம் + நீர் + தீ + காற்று + ஆகாயம் = Five Elements
5. ஓம் நமச்சிவாய = மஹா வாக்கியம் = I am That (அஹம் பிரம்மாஸ்மி)
மஹா வாக்கியங்கள் 4:
தத் த்வம் அஸி (You are That)
அஹம் பிரம்மாஸ்மி (I am Brahman)
ப்ரஜ்ஞானம் பிரம்ம (Consciousness is Brahman)
ஓம் நமச்சிவாய (I am Shiva — Shaiva form)
🔤 Transliteration
Five Meanings of Om Namah Shivaya
1. Shiva belongs to us (Nama + Shiva)
2. I am Shiva (Naan + Shivan)
3. Surrender + Wisdom + Expression
4. Earth + Water + Fire + Air + Space
5. Maha Vakya = I am That (Aham Brahmasmi)
Four Maha Vakyas:
Tat tvam asi (You are That)
Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman)
Prajnanam Brahma (Consciousness is Brahman)
Om Namah Shivaya (I am Shiva — Shaiva form of Maha Vakya)
🌐 English
Five Layers of Meaning in Om Namah Shivaya
Layer 1 (Devotion): 'I bow to the auspicious one' — simple prayer of surrender
Layer 2 (Belonging): 'Shiva belongs to us' (Namakku Sivaya) — claiming divine relationship
Layer 3 (Aspiration): 'I am coming to That' (Na = I, ma = come, si-va-ya = to That)
Layer 4 (Cosmic): Na+Ma+Shi+Va+Ya = Earth+Water+Fire+Air+Space — the entire cosmos
Layer 5 (Identity): 'I am Shiva' — the Maha Vakya (Great Statement) of Shaivism
Thirumular placed Om Namah Shivaya alongside the four Upanishadic Maha Vakyas:
- 'Tat tvam asi' (Chandogya Upanishad)
- 'Aham Brahmasmi' (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)
- 'Prajnanam Brahma' (Aitareya Upanishad)
- Om Namah Shivaya = 'Shivoham' (I am Shiva) — the fifth Maha Vakya
💡 Meaning
The genius of Om Namah Shivaya is its multiple simultaneous meanings serving all spiritual levels. A beginner chants "I bow to Shiva" (complete and sufficient). An intermediate practitioner uses it as "I am coming to That" (spiritual aspiration). An advanced yogi reads it as "I am Shiva" (non-dual identity). All three stages are served by the same five syllables simultaneously — this is what makes it a Maha Vakya. The same sound contains the complete map of the spiritual journey.
🌸 Tamil
நமச்சிவாய கீர்த்தனை
ஓம் நமச்சிவாய ஓம் நமச்சிவாய
ஓம் நமச்சிவாய நம சிவாயோம்
சிவாய நம ஓம் சிவாய நம ஓம்
ஓம் ஓம் ஓம் சிவாய நம சிவாய
ஹர ஹர மஹாதேவ சம்போ சங்கர
ஹர ஹர மஹாதேவ நமச்சிவாய
ஓம் நமச்சிவாய (108 / 1008 முறை)
🔤 Transliteration
Namah Shivaya Keerthanai (Devotional Chant)
Om Namah Shivaya Om Namah Shivaya
Om Namah Shivaya Nama Shivayom
Shivaya Nama Om Shivaya Nama Om
Om Om Om Shivaya Nama Shivaya
Hara Hara Mahadeva Shambo Shankara
Hara Hara Mahadeva Namah Shivaya
Om Namah Shivaya (108 / 1008 times)
🌐 English
Om Namah Shivaya Devotional Chant
Om Namah Shivaya! Om Namah Shivaya!
Om Namah Shivaya! Nama Shivaya Om!
Shivaya Nama Om! Shivaya Nama Om!
Om Om Om Shivaya Nama Shivaya!
Hara Hara Mahadeva! Shambo Shankara!
Hara Hara Mahadeva! Namah Shivaya!
Chant 108 times for daily practice.
1008 times on Mondays, Pradosham (every 13th lunar day), or Mahashivaratri.
Use Rudraksha mala (108 beads) — one bead per repetition.
Best times: dawn (brahma muhurta, 4-6 AM) or dusk (pradosha kala, 6 PM).
💡 Meaning
The devotional chant includes the ancient Shaiva victory cry "Hara Hara Mahadeva! Shambo Shankara!" — "Hara" means "remover of sin," "Mahadeva" means "Great God," "Shambo" means "source of happiness," "Shankara" means "doer of good." These four names describe Shiva's four primary functions: remove obstacles, transcend all, give bliss, create goodness. Chanting both the forward form (Om Namah Shivaya) and the reversed form (Shivaya Namah Om) balances the practice — the forward form emphasizes approach to the divine, the reversed form emphasizes the divine's presence within.