Unity of Music - 1 - Shiva Panchakshara Stotram
Five sacred syllables — Na, Ma, Shi, Vā, and Ya — “Om Namah Shivaya”.
The Shiva Panchakshara Stotram, composed by Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE) in praise of Lord Shiva, is a powerful five-verse hymn, praising the five sacred syllables—Na, Ma, Shi, Vā, and Ya—which constitute the mantra “Om Namah Shivaya”.
In Shaivite philosophy, the five syllables represent more than just a name; they symbolize the five elements (Pancha Bhoota) and the five functions of the Divine:
• Na: Earth / Concealment
• Ma: Water / Worldly involvement
• Shi: Fire / Destruction of Illusion
• Va: Air / Revealing Grace
• Ya: Ether (Space) / The Soul
By chanting the Stotram, the seeker is essentially acknowledging that the entire cosmos and the self are manifestations of Shiva.
Shankaracharya paints a vivid, meditative picture of Shiva in each verse. Instead of abstract philosophy, he uses sensory descriptions.
The Seeker can use these descriptions to tune his/her mind and then use the mantra “Om Namah Shivaya” (a very powerful tool for meditation) to meditate on the Ultimate Reality, the eternal principle of existence.
Here is this powerful hymn for everyone.
The first one is with lyrics written by me in Tamil and rendered in Western Classical Style by Swarzulu
The Second one is with original lyrics in Sanskrit and rendered in Western Classical Style by Swarzulu
The third one is with original lyrics and rendered by the legendary musician from India, Smt. MS Subbulakshmi.
Unity - Western Classical with Tamil Lyrics
Unity - Western Classical with Sanskrit Lyrics
Unity - Original Indian Classical (Carnatic Bhajan) with Sanskrit Lyrics
The Sanskrit lyrics are already available in the Worldwide Web. All you have to is just “Google” to get it. Here is my simple contribution in Tamil.
Lyrics in Tamil
நாகம் தனைச் சூடும் முக் கண்ணனே
திரு நீறு பூசிடும் பேரீசனே
நிலையான தூய்வான அவ தூ தனே
ஒலியாம் ந வடிவான நமச் சிவாயனே!
மந்தாகினி முழுக்காடும் சந்தனக் காப்போனே,
நந்தீ சனுக்கும், கணங்களுக்கும் தலையாம் மகேசனே,
மந்தார மலர் கொண்டு பூசை பெறுவோனே
ஒலியாம் ம வடிவான நமச் சிவாயனே!
சிவாவின் கமலி முகம் தான் மலர, சூர்ய னாய்
தக்ஷ ஆணவம் அழித் தவனே
விடமுண்ட நீல கண்டனே, விடை கொடி யோனே
ஒலியாம் சி வடிவான நமச் சிவாயனே!
வசிஷ்ட குரு முனியும் கௌதம மகானும்
முனீ ந்திர தேவர் ஆராதிக்கும் சிகரோனே,
சூர்ய சந்திரனையும் கண்ணாகி உடையோனே,
ஒலியாம் வ வடிவான நமச் சிவாயனே!
யக்ய வடிவோனே சடைமுடி தரித் தோனே,
திரிசூலக் கரமுடனே யாண்டும் நிறைவோனே,
தெய்வீக தேவனே, அவ தூ தனே
ஒலியாம் ய வடிவான நமச்சிவாயனே!
நமசிவாய எனும் புனித மந்திரம்
சிவனாலயம் சென்று ஓதுவர்,
சிவலோகம் அடைந்திட்டே
சிவானந்தத்தில் திளைப்பாரே!!
Meaning
Through the syllable “Na” the form of Siva is meditated as the one with the King of Snakes as garland, with three eyes, smeared with Sacred Ashes, Who is Eternal, Who is ever Pure and Who has the Four Directions as His Clothes (signifying that He is ever Free).
Through the syllable “Ma” the Lord Siva is meditated as the one who is Worshipped with Waters of River Mandakini and Smeared with Sandal Paste, Who is the Lord of Nandi and of the Ghosts and Goblins and Who is deeply Worshipped with Mandara and many other Flowers.
Through the syllable “Śi” the Lord Siva is meditated as the one Who is Auspicious, Who is like the Sun causing the Lotus-Face of Gauri (Devi Parvati) to Blossom, Who is the Destroyer of the Sacrifice (Yagna) of Daksha, Who has a Blue Throat and has a Bull as His Emblem in His Flag ,
Through the syllable “Vā” the Lord Siva is meditated as the one Who is Worshipped by the Best and most Respected Sages like sage Vashistha, Pot-Born sage Agastya and sage Gautama and also by the celestials, the Devas; is meditated as the Crown of the Universe and has the Moon (Chandra), Sun (Arka) and Fire (Vaisvanara) as His Three Eyes.
Through the syllable “Ya” the Lord Siva is meditated as the one who is the embodiment of Yagna {all rituals and sacrifices }, Who bears the Matted Hairs, Who has the Trident in His Hand and Who is Eternal, Who is Divine, Who is the Shining One and Who has the Four Directions as His Clothes (signifying that He is ever Free).
The Hymn concludes by stating that “Whoever Recites this Panchakshara Stotram (Hymn in praise of the five syllables of Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya) near Shiva (Lingam), will Attain the Abode of Shiva and enjoy His Bliss”.
Chanting this stotram is believed to bring peace, prosperity, and liberation, helping to cleanse negative karma and align with the divine energy of Shiva.
To sum up
To chant it is to pray.
To understand it is to meditate.
To live it is to be free.
May I now seek your contribution in the form of lyrics in your mother tongue, that truly represents the above meaning and set to the same tune (either Western Classical or Indian Classical given above)?
(Alternatively you can try your own tune and share along with the lyrics and tune.)
That will be a great Universal endeavour to begin with .
God Bless !
Thank you 🙏