Shiva Panchakshara Stotram - A Prayer On The Five Names Of Shiva

Translated By P. R. Ramachander

Shiva is the destroyer among the trinity and is worshipped as their main deity by millions of Hindus. The holy word chant to worship him is made of five letters and is popularly called Panchakshara- “Na Ma Si Va ya”. In this popular stotra each of these letters is considered as him and he is praised for his great qualities.

Nagendra haraya Trilochanaya,
Basmanga ragaya maheswaraya,
Nithyaya shudhaya digambaraya,
Tasmai nakaraya namashivaya.

My salutations to the letter “Na” , which is Shiva,
Who wears as garland the king of snakes.
Who has three eyes,
Who wears ash all over Him,
Who is the greatest Lord,
Who is forever,
Who is the cleanest,
And who wears the directions themselves as dress

Mandakini salila chandana charchithaya,
Nandeeswara pramadha nadha maheswaraya,
Mandra pushpa bahu pushpa supoojithaya,
Tasmai makaraya namashivaya.

My salutations to the letter “Ma” , which is Shiva,
Who is bathed by waters of ganges,
Who applies sandal paste all over him,
Who has Lord Nandi as his chiefton,
Who is the greatest lord,
And who is worshipped by Mandhara and many other flowers.

Shivaaya gowri vadanara vinda,
Sooryaya daksha dwara naasakaya,
Sri neela kantaya vrisha dwajaya,
Tasmai sikaraya namashivaya.

My salutations to the letter “Si” , which is Shiva,
Who is peace personified,
Who is like Sun to the Lotus face of Gowri[1],
Who destroyed the fire sacrifice of Daksha[2],
Who has a blue neck,
And who has a bull in his flag.

Vasishta kumbhodhbhava gowthamadhi.
Munendra devarchitha shekaraya,
Chandrarka vaiswanara lochanaya,
Tasmai vakaraya namashivaya.

My salutations to the letter “Va” , which is Shiva,
Who is worshipped by great sages like,
Vasishta, Agasthya and Gowthama ,
As also the devas,
And who has sun , moon and fire as his three eyes.

Yaksha swaroopaya jada dharaya,
Pinaka hasthathaya sanathanaya,
Divyaya devaaya digambaraya,
Tasmai yakaraya namashivaya.

My salutations to the letter “Ya” , which is Shiva,
Who takes the form of Yaksha,
Who has a tufted hair,
Who is armed with spear,
Who is forever filled with peace,
Who is godly,
Who is the great God,
And who wears the directions themselves as dress.

Phalasruthi
Panchaksharamidham punyam,
Ya padeth Shiva sannidhou,
Shivaloka maapnothi,
Shive na saha modathe.

Those who read these holy five letters great,
In the temple of Shiva,.
Would go to the world of Shiva,
And be forever happy with Him.

[1] Another name of his consort Parvathy signifying she is of white colour
[2] Daksha who was the father in law of Shiva insulted him by not inviting him to the fire sacrifice he conducted and Sathi Devi who was the consort of Shive jumped in the fire and gave up her life.Shive destroyed the fire sacrifice being conducted by Daksha.