The five-syllable name at the heart of Śaivism, the whole tradition said to live inside its five sounds.
Śiva Śaiva (Vedic root, purāṇic flowering) Devotion
The mantra
ॐ नमः शिवाय
oṁ namaḥ śivāya
Meaning
Oṁ, salutations to Śiva, the auspicious one.
Listen, a free rendition
A free recording to chant along with, loaded only when you scroll to it, via YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
In the tradition
Five syllables, and an entire civilization of repetition. The Tamil saints sang it through streets and kingdoms; modern kirtan carried it to every yoga studio on earth, the video linked here is one American singer’s version that tens of millions have sat with. The name means “the auspicious”, and that is the whole theology.
Sources & further reading
- Śaiva Āgamas & Tirumurai hymns , the Tamil Śaiva saints (Nāyanmār) (the five syllables as the essence of the Śaiva path)
- Śatarudrīya of the Yajurveda , the Vedic root (the "namaḥ śivāya" formulas within the great litany)
- Om Namah Shivaya: live rendition (video) (opens in a new tab) , Krishna Das