Panchakshara Stotra

Panchakshara Stotra means the Hymn of the Penta-Syllabic, and glorifies Shiva through the Yajurvedic penta-syllabic mantra – Namah Shivaya. Later on, these five syllables (na-mah-shi-vā-ya) are prefixed with the monosyllabic mantra (Aum) to form the Hexa-syllabic mantra (Aum Namah Shivaya), which we normally use in chanting. The Panchakshara Stotra translated below is quite famous with Shaivites, Shaktas and Smartas, and is attributed, like dozens of other hymns, to Adi Shankaracharya. As with the Shadakshara Stotra, in the below hymn the individual syllables are pulled apart and used to glorify the Lord with the utmost beauty.

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Hymn of the Penta-Syllabic
(na-mah-shi-vā-ya)
By Adi Shankārācharya

To the One embodied in the syllable na, adorned with a serpent garland;
To the three-eyed Lord, besmeared with ashes, to the great Ruler over all,
To that eternal One, who is pure and sky-clad, salutations be unto Shiva. ||1||

To the One embodied in the syllable ma, honored with the waters of Mandākini
And anointed with the paste of sandalwood;
To the Lord of Nandi, the Bull, who rules over all the hosts of spirits,
To that great Lord worshipped with myriad flowers, with Mandāra flowers,
To that ever-blissful One, salutations be unto Shiva. ||2||

To the One embodied in the syllable shi, who, like the Sun,
Causes the lotus face of Gauri (Shakti) to blossom;
To the Destroyer of the yajña of Daksha, to the Blue-Throated One,
To the Bearer of the emblem of the bull, salutations be unto Shiva. ||3||

To the One embodied in the syllable va, venerated by Vasishtha,
Agastya, Gautama and other noble sages, as well as hosts of Devas;
To the One whose three eyes are resplendent like the sun, moon and fire,
To the Bearer of the Moon-Crest, salutations be unto Shiva. ||4||

To the One embodied in the syllable ya, who takes the form of a Yaksha,
To the One with matted locks, to the Bearer of the pināka bow, that Primeval Lord,
To that effulgent God, the sky-clad One, salutations be unto Shiva. ||5||

Whosoever recites this Hymn of the Penta-syllabic in the presence of God Shiva,
He will certainly attain the Supreme abode of Shiva,
And enjoy everlasting bliss with Him. ||6||

Aum Namah Shivaya.

For printable version click here.

Related posts: Shadakshara Stotra & Greatness of the Panchakshara.

Listen to the Panchakshara Stotra.