Shiva Shadakshara Stotram
श्री शिव षडक्षर स्तोत्रम्
Also known as: shadakshara stotram · shiva shadakshari stotram · omkaram bindu samyuktam · om namah shivaya shadakshara stotram · shiva shadakshar stotra
Read in your language / script
✦ Meaning
The Shiva Shadakshara Stotram is a hymn on the six syllables of the supreme mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya' — Om, Na, Ma, Shi, Va and Ya. Each of its six verses is dedicated to one syllable, weaving a different glory of Mahadeva around each, and closes with 'salutations again and again' to that very letter. The seventh, phala-shruti verse promises that one who recites it before Shiva attains Shivaloka and rejoices eternally in His company.
Origin & Story
Traditional Shaiva stotra on the Shadakshara (six-syllable) mantra · Unknown (traditional) · Ancient / classical
The mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya' is the heart of Shaivism, its core 'Namah Shivaya' drawn from the Shri Rudram of the Yajurveda and prefixed with the praṇava Om to form the six-syllabled Shadakshara. This stotra garlands those six syllables, devoting a verse to each so that the very letters of the mantra become a meditation on the form, mount, ornaments and grace of Mahadeva, culminating in a verse on Shiva as the all-pervading Guru of the gods.
✦ As told in scripture
Tradition holds that the Shadakshara 'Om Namah Shivaya' is the king of mantras, capable of liberating even the gravest sinner, and that uttering it even once at the hour of death turns the mind to Shiva. By dwelling on each of its six syllables in turn, this stotra lets the devotee worship Shiva completely with a single short prayer — and its own words promise the abode of Shiva to all who recite it with faith.
Complete Text with Meaning
Tap any line — or the ▶ button — to hear it recited
ॐकारं बिन्दुसंयुक्तं नित्यं ध्यायन्ति योगिनः । कामदं मोक्षदं चैव ॐकाराय नमो नमः ॥ १॥
oṃkāraṃ bindusaṃyuktaṃ nityaṃ dhyāyanti yoginaḥ | kāmadaṃ mokṣadaṃ caiva oṃkārāya namo namaḥ || 1||
Meaning:Yogis ever meditate upon Om joined with the bindu — granter of all desires and of liberation. To that syllable Om, salutations again and again.
नमन्ति ऋषयो देवा नमन्त्यप्सरसां गणाः । नरा नमन्ति देवेशं नकाराय नमो नमः ॥ २॥
namanti ṛṣayo devā namantyapsarasāṃ gaṇāḥ | narā namanti deveśaṃ nakārāya namo namaḥ || 2||
Meaning:The sages and gods bow down, the hosts of apsaras bow down, and humankind bows to the Lord of gods. To that syllable 'Na', salutations again and again.
महादेवं महात्मानं महाध्यानपरायणम् । महापापहरं देवं मकाराय नमो नमः ॥ ३॥
mahādevaṃ mahātmānaṃ mahādhyānaparāyaṇam | mahāpāpaharaṃ devaṃ makārāya namo namaḥ || 3||
Meaning:To the Great God, the great-souled one, ever absorbed in the highest meditation, the deity who removes even the gravest sins — to that syllable 'Ma', salutations again and again.
शिवं शान्तं जगन्नाथं लोकानुग्रहकारकम् । शिवमेकपदं नित्यं शिकाराय नमो नमः ॥ ४॥
śivaṃ śāntaṃ jagannāthaṃ lokānugrahakārakam | śivamekapadaṃ nityaṃ śikārāya namo namaḥ || 4||
Meaning:To the auspicious, peaceful Lord of the universe, who showers grace upon all the worlds, the one eternal reality denoted by the single word 'Shiva' — to that syllable 'Shi', salutations again and again.
वाहनं वृषभो यस्य वासुकिः कण्ठभूषणम् । वामे शक्तिधरं देवं वकाराय नमो नमः ॥ ५॥
vāhanaṃ vṛṣabho yasya vāsukiḥ kaṇṭhabhūṣaṇam | vāme śaktidharaṃ devaṃ vakārāya namo namaḥ || 5||
Meaning:To Him whose mount is the bull, who wears the serpent Vasuki as a neck-ornament, who bears Shakti on His left — to that syllable 'Va', salutations again and again.
यत्र यत्र स्थितो देवः सर्वव्यापी महेश्वरः । यो गुरुः सर्वदेवानां यकाराय नमो नमः ॥ ६॥
yatra yatra sthito devaḥ sarvavyāpī maheśvaraḥ | yo guruḥ sarvadevānāṃ yakārāya namo namaḥ || 6||
Meaning:To the God who dwells everywhere, the all-pervading Maheshvara, who is the Guru of all the gods — to that syllable 'Ya', salutations again and again.
षडक्षरमिदं स्तोत्रं यः पठेच्छिवसन्निधौ । शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते ॥ ७॥
ṣaḍakṣaramidaṃ stotraṃ yaḥ paṭhecchivasannidhau | śivalokamavāpnoti śivena saha modate || 7||
Meaning:Whoever recites this hymn of the six syllables in the presence of Shiva attains the abode of Shiva and rejoices forever in His company.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Click any word to hear its pronunciation
Benefits of Chanting Shiva Shadakshara Stotram
Glorifies the six-syllabled Shadakshara mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya' — one verse for each sacred syllable, making the very letters of the mantra a complete meditation on Shiva.
Reciting it is a full worship of Mahadeva — invoking His form, his mount Nandi, his serpent Vasuki, and his union with Shakti.
The closing verse itself promises Shivaloka and eternal joy in Shiva's company to those who recite it before the Lord.
Said to remove even the gravest sins (mahā-pāpa) and to bestow both worldly desires (kāma) and final liberation (moksha).
Short, rhythmic and easy to memorise — ideal for daily japa and for chanting before the Shiva Linga.
Especially powerful on Mondays, Pradosha, Maha Shivaratri and throughout the holy month of Shravan.
How to Chant Shiva Shadakshara Stotram
Sit before a Shiva Linga or image after bathing, apply sacred ash (vibhuti), and recite the six verses — one for each syllable of 'Om Namah Shivaya'. Dwell on the meaning of each syllable (Om, Na, Ma, Shi, Va, Ya) as you chant, then conclude with the phala-shruti verse. Many devotees follow it with 108 repetitions of 'Om Namah Shivaya' on a Rudraksha mala.
Frequently Asked Questions
You May Also Like
ॐ
Explore more sacred mantras with complete meaning and chanting guides