शिव पंचाक्षरि स्तोत्रम् is a compact but deeply layered hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya on the five-syllabled mantra नमः शिवाय. Each major verse worships one syllable of the mantra: न, म, शि, व, and य. The chant is cherished in Shaiva worship because it turns mantra-recitation into a full meditation on Shiva's form, qualities, cosmic functions, and grace.
Adi Shankaracharya is remembered as the great Advaita Vedanta teacher who restored the centrality of Upanishadic knowledge while also giving devotees powerful stotrams for daily worship. In this hymn, he joins भक्ति and ज्ञान: the devotee worships Shiva's visible forms, yet each image quietly points toward the pure, auspicious Self beyond fear, impurity, and limitation.
ॐ नमः शिवाय शिवाय नमः ॐ
ॐ नमः शिवाय शिवाय नमः ॐ
Translation (भावार्थ):
Om. Salutations to Shiva. Salutations again to the auspicious Lord Shiva. May the whole mind bow into the presence of Shiva.
नागेंद्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय
भस्मांगरागाय महेश्वराय ।
नित्याय शुद्धाय दिगंबराय
तस्मै "न" काराय नमः शिवाय ॥ 1 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Salutations to Shiva in the syllable न: the great eternal and pure Lord, three-eyed, garlanded with the king of serpents, adorned with sacred ash, and clothed only in the directions.
मंदाकिनी सलिल चंदन चर्चिताय
नंदीश्वर प्रमथनाथ महेश्वराय ।
मंदार मुख्य बहुपुष्प सुपूजिताय
तस्मै "म" काराय नमः शिवाय ॥ 2 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Salutations to Shiva in the syllable म: the great Lord worshipped with Ganga water, sandal paste, and many flowers; the Lord of Nandi and the divine attendants.
शिवाय गौरी वदनाब्ज बृंद
सूर्याय दक्षाध्वर नाशकाय ।
श्री नीलकंठाय वृषभध्वजाय
तस्मै "शि" काराय नमः शिवाय ॥ 3 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Salutations to Shiva in the syllable शि: the auspicious Lord who is like the sun to the lotus-face of Gauri, who destroyed Daksha's sacrifice, who bears the blue throat, and whose banner is the bull.
वशिष्ठ कुंभोद्भव गौतमार्य
मुनींद्र देवार्चित शेखराय ।
चंद्रार्क वैश्वानर लोचनाय
तस्मै "व" काराय नमः शिवाय ॥ 4 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Salutations to Shiva in the syllable व: the crowned Lord worshipped by great sages and gods, whose three eyes are the moon, the sun, and fire.
यज्ञ-स्वरूपाय जटाधराय [यक्ष-]
पिनाक हस्ताय सनातनाय ।
दिव्याय देवाय दिगंबराय
तस्मै "य" काराय नमः शिवाय ॥ 5 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Salutations to Shiva in the syllable य: the eternal, radiant Lord whose form is sacrifice, who bears matted locks, who holds the Pinaka bow, and who is clothed in the directions.
पंचाक्षरमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेच्छिव सन्निधौ ।
शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Whoever recites this sacred five-syllabled hymn in Shiva's presence attains the realm of Shiva and rejoices with Shiva.
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