page_title: Shiva Panchakshara Stotra
hierarchical_section_title: Shiva Panchakshara Stotra
caption_attribution_description: A statue of Adi Shanakaracharya in a temple in Mysore
context_page_description: Shri Shiva Panchakshara Stotra is a Stotra. Stotras are a type of popular devotional literature and are not bound by the strict rules as some other ancient Indian scriptures, such as the Vedas. In Sanskrit literature, poetry written for praise of god is called stotras.
  The Panchakshara literally means "five letters" in Sanskrit and refers to the five holy letters Na, Ma, Śi, Vā and Ya. This is prayer to Lord Shiva, and is associated with Shiva's Mantra Om Namah Shivaya, of which Namah Shivaya is also called the Panchakshari Mantra.
  Lord Shiva is the main deity in Shaivism school of Hinduism. The holy word chant to worship him is made of five letters and is popularly called Panchakshara- Na, Ma, Śi, Vā, and Ya. According to Hindu traditions, the human body is considered to be made up of five elements and these holy letters represent these elements. Na Consecrates Prithvi Tattva, Ma does the same with Jal Tattva Si energizes Agni Tattva Va energizes Vayu Tattva and finally Ya energizes Akasha Tattva.
  In this popular Stotra, each of these holy letters is considered as representing Shiva and the Lord is praised for his great qualities.
context_section_description: Shri Shiva Panchakshara Stotra (Sanskrit: श्रीशिवपञ्चाक्षरस्तोत्रम्, IAST: Śrī śivapañcākṣarastōtram) is a Stotra. Stotras are a type of popular devotional literature and are not bound by the strict rules as some other ancient Indian scriptures, such as the Vedas. In Sanskrit literature, poetry written for praise of god is called stotras. 
  The Panchakshara (Sanskrit : पञ्चाक्षर) literally means "five letters" in Sanskrit and refers to the five holy letters Na, Ma, Śi, Vā and Ya. This is prayer to Lord Shiva, and is associated with Shiva's Mantra Om Namah Shivaya , of which Namah Shivaya is also called the Panchakshari Mantra.
  Lord Shiva is the main deity in Shaivism school of Hinduism. The holy word chant to worship him is made of five letters and is popularly called Panchakshara- Na, Ma, Śi, Vā, and Ya. According to Hindu traditions, the human body is considered to be made up of five elements and these holy letters represent these elements. Na Consecrates Prithvi Tattva (Earth element), Ma does the same with Jal Tattva (Water factor) Si energizes Agni Tattva (Fire element) Va energizes Vayu Tattva (Air factor) and finally Ya energizes Akasha Tattva (Sky/Space element).
  In this popular Stotra, each of these holy letters is considered as representing Shiva and the Lord is praised for his great qualities.
  Indian philosopher Adi Sankaracharya is the author of this stotra.
caption: Shri Adi Sankaracharya ji
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