Shiva Panchakshara Stotram

A 'Strota' is a Sanskrit word. It is a eulogy for God. A strotais also known as a strotam.
In the immemorial days, according to folk stories, praises use to be written for Gods. For instance, a devotee would write long poetry containing his true and unending love for God. In abundance, it would have, the greatness, power, qualities and so on written, of God.

Strotas are celebrated Vedic hymns. They are chanted by millions of devotees who wrap themselves in the devotion and love they have for their deities

Which are some of the popular strotas?

Some of the popular strotas are given below:
-MaaSaraswatistrota
-Shiva Tandavastrotam
-MaaLaxmistrota
-Ganapati SankatNashanstrotam
-MaaDurgastrota
-Lord Vishnu Shatanamastrota
-Narayana Maha Vishnu strotam
-Shiva PratahSmaranstrotam
-Shiv Panchaksharastrota

What is Shiv Panchaksharastrota?

The Shiv Panchaksharastrota is a eulogy of Lord Shiva. It was composed by the unsurpassed Shri Adi Shankaracharya. He is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva.

The Shiv Panchaksharstrota revolves around the 5 alphabets or akshars(in Sanskrit) namely Na, Ma, So, Va, and Ya.

In Hinduism, it is believed that a body is made up of 5 elements. The 5 elements are:

Prithvi(Earth), Jal(Water), Agni(Fire), Vayu(Air) and Akash(Sky).

The Shiv Panchaksharstrotacentres these 5 elements.

Na is Prithvitatva (Earth), Ma is Jal tatva (Water), Si is Agni tatva (Fire), VA is Vayu tatva (Air) and ya are Akashtatva (Sky).

The Shiv Panchaksharastrota

नागेंद्रहारायत्रिलोचनायभस्मांगरागायमहेश्वराय।
नित्यायशुद्धायदिगंबरायतस्मे "न" कारायनमःशिवायः॥

मंदाकिनीसलिलचंदनचर्चितायनंदीश्वरप्रमथनाथमहेश्वराय।
मंदारपुष्पबहुपुष्पसुपूजितायतस्मे "म" कारायनमःशिवायः॥

शिवायगौरीवदनाब्जवृंदसूर्यायदक्षाध्वरनाशकाय।
श्रीनीलकंठायवृषभद्धजायतस्मै "शि" कारायनमःशिवायः॥

वषिष्ठकुम्भोद्भवगौतमायमुनींद्रदेवार्चितशेखराय।
चंद्रार्कवैश्वानरलोचनायतस्मै "व" कारायनमःशिवायः॥

यक्षस्वरूपायजटाधरायपिनाकस्तायसनातनाय।
दिव्यायदेवायदिगंबरायतस्मै "य" कारायनमःशिवायः॥

पंचाक्षरमिदंपुण्यंयःपठेत्शिवसन्निधौ।
शिवलोकमवाप्नोतिशिवेनसहमोदते॥

॥इतिश्रीमच्छंकराचार्यविरचितंश्रीशिवपञ्चाक्षरस्तोत्रंसम्पूर्णम्॥

Shiva Panchakshara Strota – English Meaning

In this strotam, Lord Shiva is compared to each element and has been praised for being the most pious and pure. In the first stanza, the composer praises him for being eternal. He says that Lord Shiva has three eyes, he wears ashes all over his body, his clothes are directions. He is forever free. Lord Shiva himself is Prithvi or Earth or Na (one alphabet in the panchakshar).

In the second stanza, it is said that Lord Shiva is Jal or Water or Ma (one alphabet in panchakshar). He is bathed by waters from the Ganges and river Mandakini. He puts sandal paste all over his body.

In the third stanza, the writer bows down to Lord Shiva with his full reverence. He says that the 3rd element Shi is Lord Shiva himself. He is the ultimate peace. He destroyed the fire arrogance of Dakshya. He has a blue throat due to drinking the venom.

In the fourth stanza, Lord Shiva is compared to Vayu or Air (VA, the fourth element of panchakshara). He himself is Va. He is worshipped by eminent sages like Vashisthya and Gautama. His eyes are made up of The Sun, The Moon, and The Fire. He wears the universe as the crown.

In the fifth stanza, it is said that Lord Shiva is Ya or Yajna I.e. sacrifice. He has the trident in his hand. He is eternal. In the concluding lines, it is said that whoever recites this strotam, will achieve the home of Lord Shiva and enjoy his blessings.