शिव पञ्चाक्षर स्तोत्र — Word-by-Word Meaning
शिव पञ्चाक्षर स्तोत्र
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
नमः शिवाय
Namah Shivaya
Salutations to Shiva (the five-syllable mantra)
नागेन्द्रहाराय
Nagendra-haraya
To Him who wears the king of serpents as a garland
त्रिलोचनाय
Trilochanaya
To the three-eyed one
भस्माङ्गरागाय
Bhasmanga-ragaya
To Him whose body is smeared with sacred ash
दिगम्बराय
Digambaraya
To the sky-clad one
नीलकण्ठाय
Nilakanthaya
To the blue-throated one
पिनाकहस्ताय
Pinaka-hastaya
To Him who holds the Pinaka bow
वृषध्वजाय
Vrishadhvajaya
To Him of the bull (Nandi) banner
Complete Translation
जो नागराज को हार रूप में धारण करते हैं, त्रिनेत्रधारी, भस्म का अंगराग किए हुए महेश्वर — नित्य, शुद्ध और दिगम्बर — उस 'न' कार स्वरूप शिव को नमस्कार।
गंगाजल और चन्दन से चर्चित, नन्दी एवं प्रमथगणों के नाथ महेश्वर, मन्दार आदि अनेक पुष्पों से सुपूजित — उस 'म' कार स्वरूप शिव को नमस्कार।
कल्याणस्वरूप, गौरी के मुखकमल के लिए सूर्य के समान, दक्ष के यज्ञ का नाश करने वाले, श्रीनीलकण्ठ, वृषभध्वज — उस 'शि' कार स्वरूप शिव को नमस्कार।
वसिष्ठ, अगस्त्य (कुम्भोद्भव) और गौतम आदि मुनीन्द्रों तथा देवों द्वारा पूजित मस्तक वाले, चन्द्र-सूर्य-अग्निरूप तीन नेत्रों वाले — उस 'व' कार स्वरूप शिव को नमस्कार।
यक्षस्वरूप, जटाधारी, हाथ में पिनाक धारण किए, सनातन, दिव्य, दिगम्बर देव — उस 'य' कार स्वरूप शिव को नमस्कार।
जो इस पवित्र पंचाक्षर स्तोत्र का शिव के समीप पाठ करता है, वह शिवलोक को प्राप्त करता है और शिव के साथ आनन्द भोगता है।
Origin & History
Source: Attributed to Adi Shankaracharya
Author: Adi Shankaracharya (traditional)
Period: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shiv Panchakshar Stotra?▼
It is a five-verse hymn glorifying the Panchakshara — the five-syllable mantra 'Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya'. Each verse is devoted to one syllable and praises a different aspect of Lord Shiva, ending with 'Namah Shivaya'.
Who composed the Shiv Panchakshar Stotra?▼
It is traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, the great 8th-century philosopher-saint who composed many of the most beloved Hindu stotras.
What are the five syllables of Namah Shivaya?▼
Na, Ma, Shi, Va and Ya. The stotra devotes one verse to each — 'Na' for the serpent-garlanded Lord, 'Ma' for the Ganga-anointed Lord, 'Shi' for the auspicious blue-throated one, 'Va' for the sage-worshipped Lord, and 'Ya' for the matted-haired eternal God.
What is the benefit of reciting it?▼
The hymn's closing verse promises that whoever recites this holy Panchakshara in the presence of Shiva attains Shivaloka and rejoices eternally in Shiva's company.
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