Om Namah Shivaya is the familiar Shiva mantra built around the Panchakshari formula Namah Shivaya. The source contains one sacred line, preserved here without rewriting, followed by a readable Roman form and concise meaning.
Quick Facts
Om Namah Shivaya Mantra Text
Om Namah Shivaya
Panchakshari/Shadakshari Shiva mantraOm Namah Shivaya
Pronunciation: Keep the final “h” sense of Namah gentle and read Shivaya as Shi-va-ya.
English Meaning
Om. Reverent salutations to Shiva, the auspicious Lord.
Panchakshari and the Form with Om
Namah Shivaya is traditionally described as Panchakshari, the five-syllabled formula. With Om placed before it, the familiar recitation is also described as a six-syllabled form.
The mantra expresses salutation and surrender to Shiva. Its short form should not be confused with the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra or with longer Shiva hymns.
How to Chant Om Namah Shivaya
Read Om, Namah, and Shivaya distinctly at a calm pace. The source supports straightforward devotional repetition without requiring this English page to impose a universal ritual count.
If following a particular lineage or formal practice, retain the pronunciation and discipline taught in that tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a reverent salutation to Lord Shiva.
Namah Shivaya is traditionally counted as a five-syllabled formula; adding Om gives the familiar extended form.
No. They are distinct Shiva-related mantras with different wording and sources.
Original Sanskrit
Open this optional reference to view the unchanged Devanagari text from the Hindi source.
