shivaaghorapanchabrahmavedic

Aghora Mantra (Panchabrahma — South Face of Shiva)

Aghora Mantra (Panchabrahma — South Face of Shiva) in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Pradosha, Maha Shivaratri, Monday nights; during Shiva or Bhairava worship·📜 Yajurveda — Taittiriya Aranyaka; Panchabrahma Upanishad; Shaiva Agamas

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

The Aghora mantra is the third of the five Panchabrahma mantras describing the faces of Sadashiva — the South face, associated with dissolution and reabsorption. It salutes Rudra in all his aspects at once: the gentle (aghora), the fierce (ghora), and the most fearsome, affirming that every form is the one Shiva. It is a Vedic mantra central to Shaiva and Bhairava worship.

Origin & Story

Yajurveda — Taittiriya Aranyaka; Panchabrahma Upanishad; Shaiva Agamas · Vedic (apaurusheya — revealed) · Vedic

The Aghora mantra is one of the five Panchabrahma mantras that invoke the five faces of Sadashiva. It corresponds to the South face, the seat of samhara (dissolution and reabsorption) and the origin of Shiva's fierce, protective forms such as Bhairava. Found in the Yajurveda tradition, it is recited in Rudrabhisheka and Agamic worship to honour Rudra in all his aspects as the single Supreme reality.

✦ As told in scripture

Aghora upasakas hold that sincere recitation of this mantra dissolves the very root of fear: by bowing equally to the gentle and the terrifying forms of the Lord, the devotee finds that nothing in creation remains fearful, for all is Shiva — and many report deliverance from chronic dread, nightmares and malefic influences.

0all time

The Mantra

Tap any line — or the ▶ button — to hear it recited

Aghorebhyo'tha Ghorebhyo Ghoraghoratarebhyashcha Sarvebhyah Sarvasharvebhyo Namaste Astu Rudrarupebhyah

Meaning:Salutations to the peaceful (non-terrifying) forms, and to the fierce forms; to those more terrible than the most terrible; to all of them, to all the forms of Shiva-Rudra everywhere — let there be obeisance to all these forms of Rudra.

Word-by-Word Meaning

Click any word to hear its pronunciation

Aghorebhyah🔊To the non-terrifying, peaceful and benign forms (of Rudra)

Atha🔊And also, then

Ghorebhyah🔊To the terrifying, fierce forms

Ghoraghoratarebhyah🔊To those more terrible than the terrible (the most fearsome forms)

Cha🔊And

Sarvebhyah🔊To all (forms)

Sarvasharvebhyah🔊To all the Sharvas — all the forms of Shiva-Rudra everywhere

Namaste Astu🔊May salutations be unto you / let there be obeisance to you

Rudrarupebhyah🔊To all the forms of Rudra (Shiva)

Benefits of Chanting Aghora Mantra (Panchabrahma — South Face of Shiva)

✦

Invokes Rudra in all forms — gentle and fierce — for complete protection

✦

Powerful for warding off fear, negativity and malefic influences

✦

Central mantra of the South face of Sadashiva and of Aghora/Bhairava upasana

✦

Cultivates fearlessness by recognizing the one Shiva behind all terrifying forms

✦

Used in Rudrabhisheka and Shaiva Agama worship

✦

Brings courage and steadiness in adversity

How to Chant Aghora Mantra (Panchabrahma — South Face of Shiva)

Repetitions11times

Best TimePradosha, Maha Shivaratri, Monday nights; during Shiva or Bhairava worship

Traditionally chanted facing south (the direction of the Aghora face) or before a Shiva/Bhairava image, usually together with the other four Panchabrahma mantras to invoke the whole five-faced Sadashiva. Pronounce the Vedic accents carefully and maintain reverence; this fierce-yet-benign mantra is approached with devotion, not fear. Formal upasana is best learnt under a qualified guru.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Aghora Mantra (Panchabrahma — South Face of Shiva) written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

'Aghora' means 'not terrible / not fearsome'. The mantra salutes the Lord who is simultaneously aghora (benign), ghora (fierce) and ghora-ghoratara (most fearsome), teaching that all these are forms of the one Rudra. It is the third Panchabrahma mantra, governing the South face linked to dissolution.

No. Though it names the fierce forms of Rudra, the mantra is a salutation (namaskara) that actually pacifies and protects. Chanted with devotion as part of traditional Shiva worship, it grants fearlessness and grace. As with all Vedic mantras, correct pronunciation and a respectful attitude are encouraged.

The Aghora/South face of Shiva is the source of the fierce protective forms, including Bhairava. Aghora upasana and Bhairava worship draw on this mantra to invoke Shiva's destroyer-of-fear aspect, who removes obstacles and guards devotees.