Panchakshara

Panchakshara Stotra - Hymn of the Penta-Syllabic (na-mah-shi-vā-ya) by Adi Shankārācharya.

To the One embodied in the syllable na,

adorned with a serpent garland;To the three-eyed Lord,

besmeared with ashes, to the great Ruler over all,

To that eternal One, who is pure and sky-clad,

salutations be unto Shiva. 1

To the One embodied in the syllable ma,

honored with the waters of Mandākini

And anointed with the paste of sandalwood;

To the Lord of Nandi, the Bull,

who rules over all the hosts of spirits, 

To that great Lord worshipped with myriad flowers,

with Mandāra flowers, to that ever-blissful One,

salutations be unto Shiva. 2

To the One embodied in the syllable shi,

who, like the Sun,Causes the lotus face of Gauri (Shakti) to blossom;

To the Destroyer of the yajña of Daksha,

to the Blue-Throated One,

To the Bearer of the emblem of the bull,

salutations be unto Shiva. 3

To the One embodied in the syllable va,

venerated by Vasishtha, Agastya, Gautama and other noble sages,

as well as hosts of Devas;

To the One whose three eyes are resplendent like the sun, moon and fire,

To the Bearer of the Moon-Crest, salutations be unto Shiva. 4

To the One embodied in the syllable ya,

who takes the form of a Yaksha,

To the One with matted locks, to the Bearer of the pināka bow,

that Primeval Lord,To that effulgent God,

the sky-clad One, salutations be unto Shiva. 5

Whosoever recites this Hymn of the Penta-syllabic in the presence of God Shiva,He will certainly attain the Supreme abode of Shiva, And enjoy everlasting bliss with Him. 6

Aum Namah Shivaya