Om Namah Shivaya
I bow to Lord Shiva — the five syllables represent the five elements of creation.
Sanskrit
ओम् नमः शिवाय
Transliteration
Om Namah Shivaya
Meaning
I bow to Lord Shiva. This five-syllable mantra (Na-Mah-Shi-Va-Ya) represents the five elements of creation — earth, water, fire, air, and ether — and surrenders the ego to the supreme consciousness of Shiva.
Word-by-Word Translation
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ओम् (Om) | The primordial sound, representing the universe |
| नमः (Namah) | I bow, salutations, surrender |
| शिवाय (Shivaya) | To Shiva, the auspicious one |
Benefits of Om Namah Shivaya
- Purifies the mind and removes negative thoughts
- Reduces stress, anxiety, and depression
- Improves concentration and mental clarity
- Strengthens willpower and inner resolve
- Balances the five elements within the body
- Deepens meditation practice and spiritual awareness
- Removes negative karma and past-life impressions
How to Chant
- 1Sit in a comfortable meditation posture with spine erect
- 2Close your eyes and take 3 deep breaths to center yourself
- 3Begin chanting 'Om Namah Shivaya' slowly, feeling each syllable
- 4Use a Rudraksha mala to count 108 repetitions
- 5Focus on the vibration at your heart center or third eye
- 6After completing, sit in silence for a few minutes to absorb the energy
Best Time to Chant
Early morning (4-6 AM) or evening twilight (Pradosh Kaal). Mondays are especially auspicious.
Repetitions
108 times (1 mala) minimum. Advanced practitioners chant 5 or 11 malas.
Source & Origin
Sri Rudram, Yajurveda; Shiva Purana
About Om Namah Shivaya
Om Namah Shivaya is the most celebrated mantra dedicated to Lord Shiva and one of the most important mantras in Hinduism. Known as the Panchakshari (five-syllable) mantra, it consists of the five sacred syllables Na-Mah-Shi-Va-Ya, each representing one of the five elements that make up the universe.
This mantra appears in the Sri Rudram hymn of the Krishna Yajurveda, making it one of the oldest mantras in continuous practice. The Shiva Purana describes it as the supreme mantra that can liberate the soul from the cycle of birth and death.
The five syllables carry deep symbolic meaning: Na represents earth (Prithvi), Ma represents water (Jala), Shi represents fire (Agni), Va represents air (Vayu), and Ya represents ether/space (Akasha). By chanting these syllables, the practitioner aligns themselves with the fundamental forces of creation.
Om Namah Shivaya can be chanted by anyone regardless of age, gender, caste, or spiritual background. It requires no formal initiation, making it one of the most accessible yet powerful mantras available. The mantra is equally effective whether chanted aloud, whispered, or repeated mentally.
Scientific studies on mantra meditation have shown that regular chanting reduces cortisol levels, lowers blood pressure, and activates the parasympathetic nervous system. The specific vibrations of Om Namah Shivaya are believed to resonate with the natural frequency of the body, promoting physical and mental harmony.
For beginners, start with 11 repetitions daily and gradually increase to 108. Consistency matters more than quantity — even a few minutes of sincere chanting daily can produce noticeable benefits within weeks.
More Shiva Mantras
Mahamrityunjay Mantra
ओम् त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्। उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्॥
The death-conquering mantra — seeking liberation from mortality and divine healing from Lord Shiva.
Shiv Gayatri Mantra
ओम् तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि। तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात्॥
A Gayatri-format prayer seeking Lord Shiva's divine wisdom and intellectual illumination.
Shiv Beej Mantra
ओम् हौं जूं सः
Shiva's seed mantra — concentrated divine energy in sacred syllables.
This Mantra Helps With
Written & Curated By
Chakshu Chhabra
Founder, MantraList.in
LinkedInI grew up in a household where every morning began with the fragrance of incense and the sound of aarti. What started as a family tradition became a deeply personal practice — I found that chanting mantras before work brought clarity to my decisions, calm to stressful days, and a sense of connection that nothing else could.
As an entrepreneur, I noticed that authentic mantra resources online were either incomplete or hard to follow. So I built MantraList.in — a place where seekers can find accurate Sanskrit text, proper pronunciation, word-by-word meaning, and practical chanting guides, all in one place. Every Om Namah Shivaya page on this site is personally reviewed by me to ensure the Sanskrit is correct and the guidance is rooted in tradition.
When I am not building MantraList.in, I perform evening aarti with my family — a ritual that keeps me grounded through the demands of entrepreneurship. I believe mantras are not just words; they are vibrations that transform your inner world, and everyone deserves access to them.