Shiv Panchakshar Stotra Meaning — Line by Line
शिव पञ्चाक्षर स्तोत्र
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Meaning — Line by Line
Every verse of Shiv Panchakshar Stotra with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.
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Nagendraharaya trilochanaya
नागेन्द्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय भस्माङ्गरागाय महेश्वराय । नित्याय शुद्धाय दिगम्बराय तस्मै नकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥ १॥
Nagendraharaya trilochanaya Bhasmangaragaya maheshvaraya Nityaya shuddhaya digambaraya Tasmai nakaraya namah shivaya
MeaningTo Him who wears the king of serpents as a garland, the three-eyed, His body smeared with ash, the great Lord — eternal, pure and sky-clad — to that syllable 'Na', salutations to Shiva.
Mandakinisalilachandanacharchitaya
मन्दाकिनीसलिलचन्दनचर्चिताय नन्दीश्वरप्रमथनाथमहेश्वराय । मन्दारपुष्पबहुपुष्पसुपूजिताय तस्मै मकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥ २॥
Mandakinisalilachandanacharchitaya Nandishvarapramathanathamaheshvaraya Mandarapushpabahupushpasupujitaya Tasmai makaraya namah shivaya
MeaningTo Him anointed with the water of the Ganga and with sandal paste, the Lord of Nandi and of the Pramatha hosts, the great Lord, worshipped with mandara and many flowers — to that syllable 'Ma', salutations to Shiva.
Shivaya gaurivadanabjavrinda-
शिवाय गौरीवदनाब्जवृन्द- सूर्याय दक्षाध्वरनाशकाय । श्रीनीलकण्ठाय वृषध्वजाय तस्मै शिकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥ ३॥
Shivaya gaurivadanabjavrinda- Suryaya dakshadhvaranashakaya Shrinilakanthaya vrishadhvajaya Tasmai shikaraya namah shivaya
MeaningTo the auspicious one, the sun to the lotus-cluster that is Gauri's face, the destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice, the blue-throated, the bull-bannered — to that syllable 'Shi', salutations to Shiva.
Vasishthakumbhodbhavagautamarya-
वसिष्ठकुम्भोद्भवगौतमार्य- मुनीन्द्रदेवार्चितशेखराय । चन्द्रार्कवैश्वानरलोचनाय तस्मै वकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥ ४॥
Vasishthakumbhodbhavagautamarya- Munindradevarchitashekharaya Chandrarkavaishvanaralochanaya Tasmai vakaraya namah shivaya
MeaningTo Him whose crown is worshipped by Vasishtha, Agastya (born of the pot), Gautama and the lords of sages and gods, whose three eyes are the moon, the sun and fire — to that syllable 'Va', salutations to Shiva.
Yakshasvarupaya jatadharaya
यक्षस्वरूपाय जटाधराय पिनाकहस्ताय सनातनाय । दिव्याय देवाय दिगम्बराय तस्मै यकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥ ५॥
Yakshasvarupaya jatadharaya Pinakahastaya sanatanaya Divyaya devaya digambaraya Tasmai yakaraya namah shivaya
MeaningTo Him of the yaksha form, bearing matted locks, the Pinaka bow in hand, the eternal, the divine, the sky-clad God — to that syllable 'Ya', salutations to Shiva.
Panchaksharamidam punyam yah pathechchhivasannidhau
पञ्चाक्षरमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेच्छिवसन्निधौ । शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते ॥
Panchaksharamidam punyam yah pathechchhivasannidhau Shivalokamavapnoti shivena saha modate
MeaningWhoever recites this holy five-syllable (Panchakshara) hymn in the presence of Shiva attains the abode of Shiva and rejoices forever in His company.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
Origin & History
Source: Attributed to Adi Shankaracharya
Author: Adi Shankaracharya (traditional)
Period: c. 8th century CE
The Panchakshara — 'Namah Shivaya' — is the heart-mantra of Shaivism, drawn from the Yajurveda's Shri Rudram. This stotra, traditionally ascribed to Adi Shankaracharya, garlands the five sacred syllables, devoting a verse to each so that the very letters of the mantra become a complete meditation on the form and glory of Mahadeva.
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