Om Namah Shivaya - The Panchakshari Mantra
Om Namah Shivaya is the most fundamental and widely chanted Shiva mantra. Known as the Panchakshari (five-syllable) mantra, it is considered the essence of all Vedic teachings. The Shiva Purana declares that this mantra alone is sufficient for attaining liberation (moksha). During Shivaratri, it should be chanted continuously, ideally 108 times per round with multiple rounds through the night.
Om Namah Shivaya
108├ЧреР рдирдордГ рд╢рд┐рд╡рд╛рдп
Om Na-mah Shi-vaa-ya
I bow to Lord Shiva, the auspicious one, the supreme consciousness that dwells within all beings.
Om (rhymes with 'home') Na-mah (emphasis on second syllable) Shi-vaa-ya (long 'aa' sound, ending with 'ya')
The Five Syllables
Each syllable of Na-Mah-Shi-Vaa-Ya represents one of the five elements and five actions of Lord Shiva:
- Na - Earth element; represents the concealing grace
- Mah - Water element; represents the obscuring power
- Shi - Fire element; represents Lord Shiva Himself
- Vaa - Air element; represents the revealing grace
- Ya - Space element; represents the soul of the devotee
Chanting During Shivaratri
- Chant continuously during abhishek in each prahar
- Use a 108-bead rudraksha mala for counting
- Complete at least 4 rounds (432 times) through the night
- Increase to 11 rounds (1,188 times) for deeper practice
- Chant with particular intensity during Nishita Kaal
- Can be chanted silently (manasik japa) or aloud (vachik japa)
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (Great Death-Conquering Mantra) is one of the most powerful mantras in the Vedic tradition. Found in the Rig Veda (7.59.12), it is addressed to Lord Shiva as Tryambaka -- the three-eyed one. This mantra is believed to bestow health, longevity, and ultimately liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It is especially potent when chanted during Shivaratri.
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
108├ЧреР рддреНрд░реНрдпрдореНрдмрдХрдВ рдпрдЬрд╛рдорд╣реЗ рд╕реБрдЧрдиреНрдзрд┐рдВ рдкреБрд╖реНрдЯрд┐рд╡рд░реНрдзрдирдореН | рдЙрд░реНрд╡рд╛рд░реБрдХрдорд┐рд╡ рдмрдиреНрдзрдирд╛рдиреН рдореГрддреНрдпреЛрд░реНрдореБрдХреНрд╖реАрдп рдорд╛рдореГрддрд╛рддреН ||
Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti-vardhanam | Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat ||
We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva who nourishes all beings and is fragrant with spiritual grace. Like the ripe cucumber freed from its vine, may He liberate us from death and grant us immortality.
Try-am-ba-kam (emphasis on 'bak') Ya-jaa-ma-he (long 'aa') Su-gan-dhim Push-ti-var-dha-nam. Ur-vaa-ru-ka-mi-va Ban-dha-naan Mri-tyor-muk-shee-ya Maa-mri-taat.
Meaning Breakdown
- Tryambakam: The three-eyed one (Lord Shiva)
- Yajamahe: We worship, we meditate upon
- Sugandhim: The fragrant one, spiritually nourishing
- Pushti-vardhanam: The one who increases prosperity and health
- Urvarukam-iva: Like a ripe cucumber (or melon)
- Bandhanan: From bondage (of worldly attachments)
- Mrityor: From death
- Mukshiya: May we be liberated
- Maamritat: Grant us immortality (not just physical, but spiritual)
When to Chant
- During each abhishek: Chant while pouring sacred substances
- Nishita Kaal: 108 times during the midnight sacred window
- For healing: Chant for anyone who is ill or facing difficulties
- Protection: Especially powerful for removing fear and negativity
- Before sleep (non-Shivaratri days): 11 or 21 times daily for ongoing benefits
Shiva Tandava Stotra
The Shiva Tandava Stotra was composed by the demon king Ravana, who was one of the greatest devotees of Lord Shiva. This powerful hymn describes the cosmic dance (Tandava) of Lord Shiva and is traditionally recited during the night vigil, particularly during the third and fourth prahars when the energy is most intense.
Shiva Tandava Stotra (Opening Verse)
рдЬрдЯрд╛рдЯрд╡реАрдЧрд▓рдЬреНрдЬрд▓рдкреНрд░рд╡рд╛рд╣рдкрд╛рд╡рд┐рддрд╕реНрдерд▓реЗ рдЧрд▓реЗрд╜рд╡рд▓рдореНрдмреНрдп рд▓рдореНрдмрд┐рддрд╛рдВ рднреБрдЬрдЩреНрдЧрддреБрдЩреНрдЧрдорд╛рд▓рд┐рдХрд╛рдореН | рдбрдордбреНрдбрдордбреНрдбрдордбреНрдбрдордиреНрдирд┐рдирд╛рджрд╡рдбреНрдбрдорд░реНрд╡рдпрдВ рдЪрдХрд╛рд░ рдЪрдгреНрдбрддрд╛рдгреНрдбрд╡рдВ рддрдиреЛрддреБ рдирдГ рд╢рд┐рд╡рдГ рд╢рд┐рд╡рдореН ||
Jatatavee-galaj-jala-pravaha-pavita-sthale Gale-avalambya Lambitaam Bhujanga-tunga-maalikaam | Damad-damad-damad-daman-ninaada-vaddamarvayam Chakaara Chanda-tandavam Tanotu Nah Shivah Shivam ||
With the holy water flowing from the dense forest of His matted hair, and a serpent garland hanging from His neck, Lord Shiva performed the fierce Tandava dance to the rhythmic beat of the damaru drum. May He shower us with prosperity.
Significance During Shivaratri
The Shiva Tandava Stotra holds special significance during the night vigil:
- Reciting it during the third prahar (12:30-3:30 AM) is considered most auspicious
- Its rhythmic, powerful verses help devotees stay awake and energized
- The stotra describes Shiva in His most dynamic form, perfect for night worship
- Even listening to it with devotion is considered meritorious
- It contains 17 verses, each describing a different aspect of Shiva's cosmic dance
Additional Shiva Mantras
Rudra Gayatri Mantra
108├ЧреР рддрддреНрдкреБрд░реБрд╖рд╛рдп рд╡рд┐рджреНрдорд╣реЗ рдорд╣рд╛рджреЗрд╡рд╛рдп рдзреАрдорд╣рд┐ рддрдиреНрдиреЛ рд░реБрджреНрд░рдГ рдкреНрд░рдЪреЛрджрдпрд╛рддреН
Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Mahadevaya Dhimahi Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat
We meditate upon the Supreme Being, the Great God. May Lord Rudra illuminate our intellect and guide us.
Shiva Moola Mantra
108├ЧреР рдирдордГ рд╢рд┐рд╡рд╛рдп рд╢реБрднрдВ рд╢реБрднрдВ рдХреБрд░реБ рдХреБрд░реБ рд╢рд┐рд╡рд╛рдп рдирдордГ реР
Om Namah Shivaya Shubham Shubham Kuru Kuru Shivaya Namah Om
Om, I bow to Lord Shiva. Bestow auspiciousness, bestow auspiciousness. I bow to Shiva. Om.
Chanting Guidelines
- 1
Prepare your space and mind
Sit in a clean, quiet place facing east or north. Light a ghee lamp and incense. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths to calm the mind before beginning.
- 2
Hold the rudraksha mala correctly
Use a 108-bead rudraksha mala. Hold it in your right hand, draped over the middle finger. Use the thumb to move each bead. The index finger should not touch the mala.
- 3
Begin with a sankalpa
Mentally state your intention: "I am chanting this mantra for the worship of Lord Shiva on this sacred Shivaratri." This focuses your energy and devotion.
- 4
Chant at a meditative pace
Neither too fast nor too slow. Each syllable should be pronounced clearly. Feel the vibration of each word in your body. One complete round of 108 beads should take about 15-20 minutes.
- 5
Maintain awareness of breath
Synchronize the mantra with your natural breathing. Inhale between repetitions and chant during the exhale. This creates a meditative rhythm.
- 6
Complete one full mala without stopping
Try not to break your chanting mid-round. If the mind wanders, gently bring it back to the mantra. At the guru bead (109th), do not cross over -- reverse direction for the next round.
Mantra Schedule for the Night
First Prahar (6:30-9:30 PM)
- Om Namah Shivaya - 108 times during milk abhishek
- Shiva Chalisa recitation
- Lingashtakam stotra
Second Prahar (9:30-12:30 AM)
- Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra - 108 times during curd abhishek
- Rudrashtakam recitation
- Special Nishita Kaal chanting at midnight
Third Prahar (12:30-3:30 AM)
- Shiva Tandava Stotra recitation during ghee abhishek
- Rudra Gayatri Mantra - 108 times
- Silent meditation on Shiva's formless aspect
Fourth Prahar (3:30-6:30 AM)
- Om Namah Shivaya - 108 times during honey abhishek
- Shiva Moola Mantra chanting
- Final aarti with Shiva aarti mantras