The beauty of the Shiv Panchakshar Stotra is that its five verses are composed on «Na», «Ma», «Shi», «Va», «Ya» — the five syllables of the panchakshara mantra — each describing the qualities of Shiva linked to that syllable.
📖 Full text — with meaning
Tap «Roman (English) script» to see the original Devanagari text.
To him who wears the king of serpents as a garland, the three-eyed one, smeared with ash, the great lord, eternal, pure and sky-clad — to Shiva in the form of the syllable «Na», salutations.
To him anointed with Ganga water and sandal, the great lord of Nandishvara and the pramatha-ganas, worshipped with mandara and many flowers — to Shiva in the form of «Ma», salutations.
शिवाय गौरीवदनाब्जवृन्दसूर्याय दक्षाध्वरनाशकाय।
श्रीनीलकण्ठाय वृषध्वजाय तस्मै शिकाराय नमः शिवाय॥३॥
To the auspicious one, the sun that makes Gauri's lotus-face bloom, destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice, the blue-throated one with the bull on his banner — to Shiva in the form of «Shi», salutations.
To him whose head is worshipped by the great sages Vasishtha, Agastya, Gautama and the gods, whose eyes are the moon, the sun and fire — to Shiva in the form of «Va», salutations.
To him who takes the form of a Yaksha, wears matted locks, holds the Pinaka bow, the eternal, divine god, sky-clad — to Shiva in the form of «Ya», salutations.
Whoever recites this holy panchakshara (hymn) near Shiva attains Shiva's world and rejoices with Shiva.
📿 Japa counter (mala of 108)
Tap the button for each repetition; every 108 counts as one mala (your phone vibrates). The count is saved on this device/browser.
📅 Next auspicious days (from our panchang)
23 Oct (Friday) — Pradosh Vrat
26 Oct (Monday)
2 Nov (Monday)
6 Nov (Friday) — Pradosh Vrat
9 Nov (Monday)
16 Nov (Monday)
Dates are for Delhi sunrise; see today's panchang for your city.
🪔 How to chant / recite
Time: During Shiva puja or abhishek; every morning.
Method: At the end of each verse pause on «Namah Shivaya» and meditate on that syllable.
Along with it: After the hymn, one mala of «Om Namah Shivaya».
🛕 Puja vidhi (step by step)
🧺 Items needed
Shivalinga or picture of Shiva-parivar
Pure water and raw milk (abhishek)
Bilva leaves (three-leaved, unbroken)
Dhatura, aak flowers (as per tradition)
White sandalwood, bhasma, akshata
Incense, ghee lamp
Fruits and sweets as bhog
Rudraksha mala (for japa)
🪷 Procedure
Bathe and wear clean clothes; clean the puja place and spread a fresh cloth on the altar (chowki).
Do achamana (sip water three times) and purify hands and mouth; sit on an asana and calm the mind.
Light a lamp of ghee or sesame oil — by tradition the lamp is kept to the deity's right.
Take water, akshata (unbroken rice) and a flower in the right hand and make the sankalpa — your name, gotra, place, date and the purpose of the puja, spoken or in the mind; then let the water fall to the ground.
First remember Shri Ganesha (Om Gam Ganapataye Namah).
Do abhishek on the Shivalinga with water, then milk (and if possible curd, ghee, honey, sugar — panchamrit), then water again, chanting «Om Namah Shivaya».
Offer white sandalwood and bhasma, akshata, bilva leaves (smooth side towards the linga), dhatura and aak flowers.
Show incense and lamp, offer bhog; then chant the mantra / recite Shiv Chalisa / Rudrashtakam.
Sing «Om Jai Shiv Omkara»; the parikrama of a Shivalinga is half — the outlet (somasutra) is not crossed.
Finally perform aarti, offer pushpanjali (flowers) and do parikrama (or turn around in your place).
Ask forgiveness for any mistakes in the puja, distribute the prasad and take it yourself.
⚠️ Rules & precautions
Ketaki flowers and tulsi are traditionally not offered to Shiva; turmeric-kumkum is offered to Mother Parvati, not on the linga.
Bilva leaves should be unbroken; a bilva leaf can be washed and offered again.
Monday, Pradosh (trayodashi) and Masik Shivaratri are special days for Shiva.
Water/milk offered on the linga should not fall at the feet — pour it into a plant.
🌟 Benefits (as per tradition)
Helps to chant the panchakshara mantra with understanding of its meaning.
A prayer for Shiva's nearness and peace.
These are traditional beliefs described in scriptures; results are understood to depend on faith, discipline and one's own actions.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How is this related to Om Namah Shivaya?
This hymn is like an explanation of the five syllables of that mantra — one verse per syllable.
