Shiva Panchakshara Stotra Explained

The Shiva Panchakshara Stotra is a Hindu religious hymn (stotra) dedicated to god Shiva.^[1] Comprising five stanzas, it is regarded to have been composed by the philosopher Adi Shankara.

Description

The panchakshara (Sanskrit: पञ्चाक्षर) literally means "five syllables" in Sanskrit,^[2] referring to the five syllables of na, ma, śi, vā, and ya forming the mantra Om Namah Shivaya.^[3] This hymn explains the significance of these five syllables and their affiliation with the deity.^[4]

According to some texts, these five syllables are regarded to represent the five elements of the human body, the chanting of which is believed to energise them. Na is associated with prithvi (earth), ma is associated with jala (water) śi is associated with agni (fire) va is associated with vayu (air), and ya is associated with akasha (space).

Hymn

The first stanza of the Shiva Panchakshara Stotram is as follows:^{[5] [6]}

See also

• Shiva Tandava Stotra
• Ashtalakshmi Stotra
• Dvadasha Stotra

Notes and References

1. Book: Murty, A. Suryanarayana . Sri Mukhalingam Temples, Including the Worship of Lord Siva, His Attributes . 1978 . Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan . 48 . en.
2. Book: Prentiss, Karen Pechilis . The Embodiment of Bhakti . 2000-01-06 . Oxford University Press . 978-0-19-535190-3 . 57 . en.
3. Book: Knapp, Stephen . Hindu Gods & Goddesses . 2012-01-01 . Jaico Publishing House . 978-81-8495-366-4 . 104 . en.
4. Book: Ajai Kumar Chhawchharia . 40= Lord Shiva Book 1 Sacred Hymns Of Lord Shiva . 2021-02-19 . 88.
5. Book: Nome, Edited by . Advaita Devatam God of Nonduality . 2009-08-01 . Society of Abidance in Truth . 978-0-9703667-9-5 . 45 . en.
6. Book: Marga, Bhakti . Atma Bhog: Bhajans of Bhakti Marga with Chords and Translations . 2013-07-29 . Bhakti Marga Publications . 978-3-940381-97-2 . 265 . en.