Nagendra Haraya

The Panchakshara literally means 'five letters' in Sanskrit and refers to the five holy letters Na, Ma, Shi, Va and Ya. This is a prayer to Lord Shiva written by Adi Shankaracharya, and is associated with Shiva's Mantra Om Namah Shivaya, of which Namah Shivaya is also called the Panchakshari Mantra. The five verses of this Stotra begin with the syllables Na, Ma, Shi, Va, Ya respectively.


Nagendraharaya Trilochanaya
The Three-Eyed Lord Who Wears The Supreme Snake As His Garland

Bhasmangaragaya Maheshwaraya
The Great Lord Whose Body Is Smeared With Sacred Ash

Nityaya Shuddhaya Digambaraya
Who Is Eternal And Ever Pure, Who Has The Four Directions As His Clothes

Tasmai Na Karaya Namah Shivaya
Salutations To That Lord, Shiva, Who Is Represented By The Syllable 'Na'


Mandakini Salila Chandana Charchitaya
He Who Is Worshipped With The Water Of River Mandakini And Smeared With Sandal Paste

Nandishwara Pramathanatha Maheshwaraya
The Great Lord Who Is The Lord Of Nandi And Of The Ghosts

Mandara Mukhya Bahupushpa Supujitaya
Who Is Worshipped With Mandara And Many Other Flowers

Tasmai Ma Karaya Namah Shivaya
Salutations To That Lord, Shiva, Who Is Represented By The Syllable 'Ma'


Shivaya Gauri Vadanaravinda Suryaya
The Auspicious Lord Who Is Like The Sun Causing The Lotus-Face Of Goddess Gauri To Blossom

Dakshadhvara Nashakaya
Who Is The Destroyer Of Daksha's Fire Sacrifice

Shri Neelakanthaya Vrishadhwajaya
Who Has A Blue Throat And Has A Bull In His Flag

Tasmai Shi Karaya Namah Shivaya
Salutations To That Lord, Shiva, Who Is Represented By The Syllable 'Shi'


Vasishtha Kumbhodbhava Gautamaadi
Who Is Worshipped By Supreme Sages Like Vashistha, The Pot-Born Sage Agastya And Gautama And Others

Muneendra Devarchita Shekharaya
... And Also By The Devas, And Who Is The Crown Of The Universe

Chandrarka Vaishwanara Lochanaya
Who Has The Moon, Sun And Fire As His Three Eyes

Tasmai Va Karaya Namah Shivaya
Salutations To That Lord, Shiva, Who Is Represented By The Syllable 'Va'


Yaksha Swaroopaya Jatadharaya
He Who Has Taken The Form Of A Divine Spirit, And Who Has Matted Hair

Pinaka Hastaya Sanatanaya
The Eternal Lord Who Has The Pinaka Bow In His Hand

Divyaya Devaya Digambaraya
The Lustrous Divine God Who Has The Four Directions As His Clothes

Tasmai Ya Karaya Namah Shivaya
Salutations To That Lord, Shiva, Who Is Represented By The Syllable 'Ya'


Panchaksharamidam Punyam Yah Pathet Shiva Sannidhau
Whoever Recites This Panchakshara Stotram Near Shiva

Shivalokam Avapnoti Shivena Saha Modate
Shall Attain The Abode Of Shiva And Enjoy His Bliss


Shivam Shivakaram Shantam
(Salutations To) The Auspicious One, Who Creates Auspiciousness, Who Is Peaceful

Shivatmanam Shivottamam
Whose Soul Is Auspiciousness, Who Is The Greatest Form Of Auspiciousness

Shivamarga Pranetaram
Who Shows The Path Of Auspiciousness

Pranamami Sada Shivam
I Salute That Eternally Auspicious Lord Shiva