Composed by Adi Shankara or Adi Shankaracharya, Shiva Panchakshara Stotram praises Lord Shiva and the Power of Five (Pancha) Sacred Syllables (Akshara), Na Ma, Shi, Va, and Ya. Recitation of Shiva Panchakshara In the temple of Shiva will help anyone reach the world of Shiva, And be forever happy with Him.
Lyrics and Meaning of Shiva Panchakshara Stotram
The translation of Shri Shiva Panchakshara Stotram (शिव पञ्चाक्षर स्तोत्रम्) from Sanskrit to English has been done by Shri P. R. Ramachander.
नागेंद्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय भस्मांग रागाय महेश्वराय।
नित्याय शुद्धाय दिगंबराय तस्मे “न” काराय नमः शिवायः॥ (1)
Nagendraharaya Trilochanaya Bhasmangaragaya Mahesvaraya
Nityaya Suddhaya Digambaraya Tasmai Na Karaya Namah Shivaya
My salutations to the letter “Na”, which is Shiva, Who wears as garland the king of snakes. Who has three eyes, Who wears ash all over Him, Who is the greatest Lord, Who is forever, Who is the cleanest, And who wears the directions themselves as a dress.
मंदाकिनी सलिल चंदन चर्चिताय नंदीश्वर प्रमथनाथ महेश्वराय।
मंदारपुष्प बहुपुष्प सुपूजिताय तस्मे “म” काराय नमः शिवायः॥ (2)
Mandakini Salila Chandana Charchitaya Nandisvara Pramathanatha Mahesvaraya
Mandara Pushpa Bahupushpa Supujitaya Tasmai Ma Karaya Namah Shivaya
My salutations to the letter “Ma”, which is Shiva, Who is bathed by waters of ganges,
Who applies sandal paste all over him, Who has Lord Nandi as his chiefton, Who is the greatest lord, And who is worshipped by Mandhara and many other flowers.
शिवाय गौरी वदनाब्जवृंद सूर्याय दक्षाध्वरनाशकाय।
श्री नीलकंठाय वृषभद्धजाय तस्मै “शि” काराय नमः शिवायः॥ (3)
Shivaya Gauri Vadanabja Brnda Suryaya Dakshadhvara Nashakaya
Sri Nilakanthaya Vrshabhadhvajaya Tasmai Shi Karaya Namah Shivaya
My salutations to the letter “Si”, which is Shiva, Who is peace personified, Who is like Sun to the Lotus face of Gauri, Who destroyed the fire sacrifice of Daksha, Who has a blue neck, And who has a bull in his flag.
वषिष्ठ कुम्भोद्भव गौतमाय मुनींद्र देवार्चित शेखराय।
चंद्रार्क वैश्वानर लोचनाय तस्मै “वा” काराय नमः शिवायः॥ (4)
Vashistha Kumbhodbhava Gautamarya Munindra Devarchita Shekharaya
Chandrarka Vaishvanara Lochanaya Tasmai Va Karaya Namah Shivaya
My salutations to the letter “Va”, which is Shiva, Who is worshipped by great sages like,
Vasishta, Agasthya, and Gautama, As also the devas, And who has sun, moon, and fire as his three eyes.
यक्षस्वरूपाय जटाधराय पिनाकस्ताय सनातनाय।
दिव्याय देवाय दिगंबराय तस्मै “य” काराय नमः शिवायः॥ (5)
Yaksha Svarupaya Jatadharaya Pinaka Hastaya Sanatanaya
Divyaya Devaya Digambaraya Tasmai Ya Karaya Namah Shivaya
My salutations to the letter “Ya”, which is Shiva, Who takes the form of Yaksha, Who has a tufted hair, Who is armed with a spear, Who is forever filled with peace, Who is godly,
Who is the great God, And who wears the directions themselves as dress.
पंचाक्षरमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेत् शिव सन्निधौ।
शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते॥ (6)
Panchaksharamidam Punyam Yah Pathechchiva
Sannidhau Shivalokamavapnoti Sivena Saha Modate
Those who read these holy five letters great, In the temple of Shiva, Would go to the world of Shiva, And be forever happy with Him.
इति श्रीमच्छंकराचार्यविरचितं श्रीशिवपञ्चाक्षरस्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
Iti Shri Machamkaracharya virchit Shri Shiva Panchakshara Stotram Sampurnam