‘Namaha Shivaya (नम: शिवाय)’ is Lord Shiva’s five lettered (panchakshari) mantra. In a subdivision of the Yajurveda the Rudradhyay begins with these words. The mantra is taken from here. When it is prefixed with the sacred syllable (pranav) Om, it becomes ‘Om namaha Shivaya (ॐ नम: शिवाय)’, the six lettered (shadakshari) mantra. The spiritual meaning of each letter of the five lettered mantra is as follows:
n (न) = The foremost deity of all the regions (lokas)
m (म) = The bestower of supreme spiritual knowledge
(dnyan) and destroyer of the greatest sins
Shi (शि) = Benevolent, serene and responsible for the
initiation by Lord Shiva
va (वा) = The representation of a bull as the vehicle and
the Vasuki and Vamangi Energies (Shakti)
y (य) = The auspicious abode of Supreme Bliss and
Lord Shiva.
Hence obeisance (namaskar) to these five letters.
The above five letters also have a co-relation with the tandav dance of Nataraj Shiva which is as follows:
n = The hand beholding fire (agni)
m = The foot pressing the demon Mulayak
Shi = The hand holding a small hour glass shaped drum
(damaru)
va = The outstretched hand
y = The hand bestowing protection
These five letters are also said to be indicative of God (Ishvar), Divine Energy (Shakti), the soul principle (atma), the unmanifest one (antardhan) and vanquishing of sins respectively.’
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Usage of Om in the chanting of Shiva’s Name
For creation of the manifest (sagun), the Great Illusion from the unmanifest (nirgun) Brahman tremendous energy is required. Such energy is generated by Om. Hence, chanting of Om by one whose spiritual level is not adequate to do so can cause physical distress such as hyperacidity, a rise in the body temperature, etc. or psychological distress like restlessness.
The frequencies created from Om generate a lot of energy (heat) in the body. This does not affect the male reproductive organs as they lie outside the body cavity. However, in case of women this heat can affect the reproductive organs as they lie within the abdominal cavity. Thus women may experience distress. They may suffer from excessive menstrual flow, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, infertility, etc. Hence, it is advisable for women not to prefix Om to the Name unless otherwise recommended by the Guru; for example they may chant ‘namaha Shivaya’ instead of ‘Om namaha Shivaya’. Otherwise they should use Shri as a prefix.
Shiva Gayatri
तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे । महादेवाय धीमहि । तन्नो रुद्र: प्रचोदयात् ।।
Meaning: We are quite familiar with that Supreme Being (Mahadev). We meditate on that Mahadev. May that Rudra inspire our intellect benevolently.
Shiva’s temple
Its characteristics are as given below.
A. It is said that ‘Shiva is the deity of married couples as He is accompanied by the Divine Energy (शक्त्यासहित: शंभु:)’. Shiva without Divine Energy (Shakti) becomes a corpse (shava). Since other deities are solitary there is less radiance generated in their idols. As a result, tranquility is experienced in their temples. However in Shiva’s temple since radiance is generated in greater proportions one experiences energy.
B. Other deities are absent only in Shiva’s temple. In temples of all other deities there are small temples of other deities; they are referred to as the deities of the family.
C. A non-Brahman priest (gurav): A Brahman is not supposed to remove the dried flowers, etc. used in worship (nirmalya) in a Shiva’s temple. Hence non-Brahman priests look after a Shiva’s temple and bhopes look after a temple of Parvati. Just as Brahmans who perform religious rites like ritualistic worship, marriage, etc. do not take a meal during an offering made to ancestors (pindadan), so also they do not remove the dried flowers, etc. on Shiva’s pindi.
D. Brahmans consecrate Shiva by ritualistic worship with liquids (abhishek) amidst chanting of Vedic mantras but do not partake of the food (naivedya) offered to Him. Brahmans who perform ritualistic worship also do not make an offering to ancestors.
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