The famous Shiva Panchakshara Stotram is a series of verses dedicated to Lord Shiva, with each verse highlighting different aspects and attributes of the deity. The mantra begins by saluting Lord Shiva with five sacred syllables “Na,” “Ma,” “Si,” “Va,” and “Ya,” each associated with specific qualities of Shiva.
The verses describe Shiva’s various forms, including his role as the destroyer of evil, his association with divine elements like the Ganga, and his eternal and pure nature. The concluding statement emphasizes the auspiciousness of chanting this mantra and the promise of attaining the divine presence of Lord Shiva, ultimately leading to a joyous union with him in the divine realm.
॥ श्रीशिवपञ्चाक्षरस्तोत्रम् ॥
नागेन्द्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय,
भस्माङ्गरागाय महेश्वराय ।
नित्याय शुद्धाय दिगम्बराय,
तस्मै न काराय नमः शिवाय ॥१॥
Nagendra Haaraya Trilochanaaya Bhasmanga Ragaaya Maheswaraaya Nityaya Shudhaaya Digambaraaya Tasmai 'Na'kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya
English Translation
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning in English |
| Nagendra Haaraya | O Lord who wears the serpent as a garland |
| Trilochanaaya | O three-eyed one |
| Bhasmanga Ragaaya | O Lord who applies ash (bhasma) as an ornament on the body |
| Maheswaraaya | O Great Lord |
| Nityaya | O Eternal One |
| Shudhaaya | O Pure One |
| Digambaraaya | O Lord who is clad in the directions (symbolizing nakedness and renunciation) |
| Tasmai ‘Na’kaaraaya | Salutations to the One whose name begins with the syllable ‘Na’, |
| Namah Shivaaya | I bow to Shiva |
He who has the king of snakes as his garland and who has three eyes,
He whose body is smeared with sacred ashes and who is the great Lord,
He who is eternal, who is ever pure with the four directions as his clothes,
Salutations to that Shiva, who is represented by the syllable “na”
मन्दाकिनी सलिलचन्दन चर्चिताय,
नन्दीश्वर प्रमथनाथ महेश्वराय ।
मन्दारपुष्प बहुपुष्प सुपूजिताय,
तस्मै म काराय नमः शिवाय ॥२॥
Mandakini Salila Chandana Charchithaaya Nandeeshwara Pramayha Naatha Maheswaraaya Mandara Pushpa Bahu Pushpa Supoojitaaya Tasmai 'Ma'kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya English Translation "Mandakini Salila Chandana Charchithaaya" - O Lord who is adorned with the waters of the Mandakini River and smeared with sandalwood paste, "Nandeeshwara Pramayha Naatha Maheswaraaya" - O Supreme Lord of Nandi, the divine bull, and the beloved consort of Nandi's master, Lord of the Universe, "Mandara Pushpa Bahu Pushpa Supoojitaaya" - O Lord who is worshipped with numerous Mandara flowers and various other flowers, "Tasmai 'Ma'kaaraaya" - Salutations to the One whose name begins with the syllable 'Ma', "Namah Shivaaya" - I bow to Shiva.
He who is worshipped with water from the Mandakini river and smeared with sandal paste,
He who is the lord of Nandi and of the ghosts and goblins, the great Lord,
He who is worshipped with Mandara and many other flowers,
Salutations to that Shiva, who is represented by the syllable “ma”
शिवाय गौरीवदनाब्जवृन्द,
सूर्याय दक्षाध्वरनाशकाय ।
श्रीनीलकण्ठाय वृषध्वजाय,
तस्मै शि काराय नमः शिवाय ॥३॥
Shivaaya Gowri Vadanaabja Vrinda Sooryaya Dakshaa Dhwara Naashaakaya Sri Neela Kanthaaya Vrisha Dhwajaaya Tasmai 'Si'kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya English Translation "Shivaaya Gowri Vadanaabja Vrinda" - O Shiva, whose face is as radiant as the lotus in the pond of Goddess Gowri, "Sooryaya Dakshaa Dhwara Naashaakaya" - O the one who destroyed the sacrifice of Daksha, putting an end to his arrogance, "Sri Neela Kanthaaya Vrisha Dhwajaaya" - O Lord with a blue throat and the one who bears the bull (Vrishabha) flag, "Tasmai 'Si'kaaraaya" - Salutations to the One whose name begins with the syllable 'Si', "Namah Shivaaya" - I bow to Shiva.
He who is auspicious and who is like the newly risen sun causing the lotus-face of Gauri to blossom,
He who is the destroyer of the sacrifice of Daksha,
He who has a blue throat and has a bull as his emblem,
Salutations to that Shiva, who is represented by the syllable “shi”
वसिष्ठकुम्भोद्भवगौतमार्य,
मुनीन्द्रदेवार्चितशेखराय।
चन्द्रार्क वैश्वानरलोचनाय,
तस्मै व काराय नमः शिवाय ॥४॥
Vasishta Kumbhodhbhava Gowtamaarya Munindra Devaarchitha Shekharaaya Chandrarka Vaishwanara Lochanaaya Tasmai 'Va'kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya English Translation "Vasishta Kumbhodhbhava Gowtamaarya" - O Lord who originated from the pot (Almighty source) of Sage Vasishta and the lineage of Sage Gowtama, "Munindra Devaarchitha Shekharaaya" - O Lord who is worshipped by the King of Sages and adorned with the crescent moon as a crown, "Chandrarka Vaishwanara Lochanaaya" - O Lord with the sun, moon, and fire as your three eyes, "Tasmai 'Va'kaaraaya" - Salutations to the One whose name begins with the syllable 'Va', "Namah Shivaaya" - I bow to Shiva.
He who is worshipped by the best and most respected sages – Vasishtha, Agastya and Gautama, and also by the gods, and who is the crown of the universe,
He who has the moon, sun and fire as his three eyes,
Salutations to that Shiva, who is represented by the syllable “va”
यज्ञस्वरूपाय जटाधराय,
पिनाकहस्ताय सनातनाय ।
दिव्याय देवाय दिगम्बराय,
तस्मै य काराय नमः शिवाय ॥५॥
Yagya Swaroopaya Jataa Dharaya Pinaka Hasthathaya Sanathanaya Divyaya Devaaya Digambaraaya Tasmai 'Ya'kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya
English Translation "Yagya Swaroopaya Jataa Dharaya" - O Lord who embodies the form of the sacred fire sacrifice and wears matted locks, "Pinaka Hasthathaya Sanathanaya" - O Eternal One who holds the divine bow Pinaka in hand, "Divyaya Devaaya Digambaraaya" - O Divine God who is naked and free from the limitations of the material world, "Tasmai 'Ya'kaaraaya" - Salutations to the One whose name begins with the syllable 'Ya', "Namah Shivaaya" - I bow to Shiva.
He who is the embodiment of yagna (sacrifice) and who has matted locks,
He who has the trident in his hand and who is eternal,
He who is divine, who is the shining one and who has the four directions as his clothes,
Salutations to that Shiva, who is represented by the syllable “ya”
पञ्चाक्षरमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेच्छिवसंनिधौ ।
शिवलोकमावाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते
panchaksharamidam punyam yah pathechchiva sannidhau shivalokamavapnoti sivena saha modate "The one who chants this holy five-syllable mantra of Shiva In the divine presence, attains the abode of Shiva and rejoices with Shiva."
He who recites this Panchakshara near Shiva,
Will attain the abode of Shiva and enjoy bliss.