Shiv Panchakshar Stotram

शिव पञ्चाक्षर स्तोत्रम्

Shiv Panchakshar Stotram is a Sanskrit hymn of five verses built on the five syllables of the mantra "Na-Mah Shi-Va-Ya", and tradition attributes it to Adi Shankaracharya. Each verse praises Shiva and salutes him as one syllable in turn (Na, Ma, Shi, Va, Ya), and a closing phalashruti says those who recite it reach Shiva's abode. It is sung at abhishekam, on Mondays and on Maha Shivratri.

Shloka 1

Nagendraharaya Trilochanaya

Bhasmangaragaya Maheshvaraya

Nityaya Shuddhaya Digambaraya

Tasmai Nakaraya Namah Shivaya

To him who wears the king of serpents as a garland, the three-eyed one, whose body is smeared with sacred ash, the great Lord; the eternal, the pure, clothed only by the directions: to that Shiva, present in the syllable "Na", salutations.

Shloka 2

Mandakini Salila Chandana Charchitaya

Nandishvara Pramathanatha Maheshvaraya

Mandara Pushpa Bahupushpa Supujitaya

Tasmai Makaraya Namah Shivaya

To him who is anointed with the waters of the heavenly Ganga and with sandal paste, the great Lord of Nandi and of the pramatha hosts; who is worshipped with mandara and many other flowers: to that Shiva, present in the syllable "Ma", salutations.

Shloka 3

Shivaya Gauri Vadanabja Vrinda

Suryaya Dakshadhvara Nashakaya

Shri Nilakanthaya Vrishadhvajaya

Tasmai Shikaraya Namah Shivaya

To the auspicious one, the sun who makes the lotus face of Gauri bloom; the destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice; the glorious blue-throated Lord whose banner bears the bull: to that Shiva, present in the syllable "Shi", salutations.

Shloka 4

Vasishtha Kumbhodbhava Gautamarya

Munindra Devarchita Shekharaya

Chandrarka Vaishvanara Lochanaya

Tasmai Vakaraya Namah Shivaya

To him whose crown is worshipped by the great sages Vasishtha, Agastya and Gautama and by the gods; whose three eyes are the moon, the sun and fire: to that Shiva, present in the syllable "Va", salutations.

Shloka 5

Yakshasvarupaya Jatadharaya

Pinakahastaya Sanatanaya

Divyaya Devaya Digambaraya

Tasmai Yakaraya Namah Shivaya

To him who took the form of a Yaksha, who bears matted locks and holds the Pinaka bow, the eternal one; the divine, the shining God, clothed only by the directions: to that Shiva, present in the syllable "Ya", salutations.

Phalashruti (closing)

Panchaksharamidam Punyam Yah Pathet Shivasannidhau

Shivalokam Avapnoti Shivena Saha Modate

Whoever recites this sacred hymn of the five syllables in the presence of Shiva attains the abode of Shiva and rejoices there with Shiva.