Shiv Panchakshar Stotra
शिव पञ्चाक्षर स्तोत्र
Origin & Story
Attributed to Adi Shankaracharya · Adi Shankaracharya (traditional) · c. 8th century CE
The Panchakshara — 'Namah Shivaya' — is the heart-mantra of Shaivism, drawn from the Yajurveda's Shri Rudram. This stotra, traditionally ascribed to Adi Shankaracharya, garlands the five sacred syllables, devoting a verse to each so that the very letters of the mantra become a complete meditation on the form and glory of Mahadeva.
✦ As told in scripture
The Shiva Purana extols the Panchakshara as the essence of all mantras, able to liberate even the greatest sinner. By weaving the five syllables into five verses, this stotra lets the devotee worship Shiva head to foot with every repetition — and its own words promise the abode of Shiva to all who recite it with faith.
Complete Text with Meaning
नागेन्द्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय भस्माङ्गरागाय महेश्वराय । नित्याय शुद्धाय दिगम्बराय तस्मै नकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥ १॥
Nagendraharaya trilochanaya Bhasmangaragaya maheshvaraya Nityaya shuddhaya digambaraya Tasmai nakaraya namah shivaya
Meaning:To Him who wears the king of serpents as a garland, the three-eyed, His body smeared with ash, the great Lord — eternal, pure and sky-clad — to that syllable 'Na', salutations to Shiva.
मन्दाकिनीसलिलचन्दनचर्चिताय नन्दीश्वरप्रमथनाथमहेश्वराय । मन्दारपुष्पबहुपुष्पसुपूजिताय तस्मै मकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥ २॥
Mandakinisalilachandanacharchitaya Nandishvarapramathanathamaheshvaraya Mandarapushpabahupushpasupujitaya Tasmai makaraya namah shivaya
Meaning:To Him anointed with the water of the Ganga and with sandal paste, the Lord of Nandi and of the Pramatha hosts, the great Lord, worshipped with mandara and many flowers — to that syllable 'Ma', salutations to Shiva.
शिवाय गौरीवदनाब्जवृन्द- सूर्याय दक्षाध्वरनाशकाय । श्रीनीलकण्ठाय वृषध्वजाय तस्मै शिकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥ ३॥
Shivaya gaurivadanabjavrinda- Suryaya dakshadhvaranashakaya Shrinilakanthaya vrishadhvajaya Tasmai shikaraya namah shivaya
Meaning:To the auspicious one, the sun to the lotus-cluster that is Gauri's face, the destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice, the blue-throated, the bull-bannered — to that syllable 'Shi', salutations to Shiva.
वसिष्ठकुम्भोद्भवगौतमार्य- मुनीन्द्रदेवार्चितशेखराय । चन्द्रार्कवैश्वानरलोचनाय तस्मै वकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥ ४॥
Vasishthakumbhodbhavagautamarya- Munindradevarchitashekharaya Chandrarkavaishvanaralochanaya Tasmai vakaraya namah shivaya
Meaning:To Him whose crown is worshipped by Vasishtha, Agastya (born of the pot), Gautama and the lords of sages and gods, whose three eyes are the moon, the sun and fire — to that syllable 'Va', salutations to Shiva.
यक्षस्वरूपाय जटाधराय पिनाकहस्ताय सनातनाय । दिव्याय देवाय दिगम्बराय तस्मै यकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥ ५॥
Yakshasvarupaya jatadharaya Pinakahastaya sanatanaya Divyaya devaya digambaraya Tasmai yakaraya namah shivaya
Meaning:To Him of the yaksha form, bearing matted locks, the Pinaka bow in hand, the eternal, the divine, the sky-clad God — to that syllable 'Ya', salutations to Shiva.
पञ्चाक्षरमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेच्छिवसन्निधौ । शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते ॥
Panchaksharamidam punyam yah pathechchhivasannidhau Shivalokamavapnoti shivena saha modate
Meaning:Whoever recites this holy five-syllable (Panchakshara) hymn in the presence of Shiva attains the abode of Shiva and rejoices forever in His company.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Shiv Panchakshar Stotra
Glorifies the supreme five-syllable mantra 'Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya' — one verse for each sacred syllable.
Reciting it is a complete worship of Shiva, invoking His form, ornaments and divine deeds.
The hymn itself promises that whoever recites it before Shiva attains Shivaloka and eternal joy in His company.
Removes fear, sin and obstacles, and steadies the mind in devotion to Mahadeva.
Especially powerful on Mondays, Pradosh, Maha Shivaratri and throughout Shravan.
Short, rhythmic and easy to memorise — perfect for daily recitation before the Shiva Linga.
How to Chant Shiv Panchakshar Stotra
Sit before a Shiva Linga or image, apply sacred ash (vibhuti), and recite the five verses — one for each syllable of 'Namah Shivaya'. Dwell on the meaning of each syllable as you chant. Conclude with the phala-shruti verse and 108 repetitions of 'Om Namah Shivaya' if time allows.