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Shiva Panchakshara Stotra

शिव पञ्चाक्षर स्तोत्र

Śiva Pañcākṣara Stotra

Deity

shiva

Verses

6

Recitation

~3 min

Best Day

Monday

About this stotra

The Shiva Panchakshara Stotra ("hymn of the five syllables") is attributed to Adi Shankaracharya. Each of its five verses begins with one syllable of the great Shaiva mantra Namaḥ Śivāya — na, ma, śi, vā, ya — describing Shiva's form, ornaments, and grace. The closing verse promises that one who recites this hymn before Shiva attains the abode of Shiva (Shiva-loka). It is short, melodic, and is one of the most popular daily recitations in Shaiva tradition.

Benefits of recitation

  • Devotion to Shiva and steadiness of mind
  • Removal of obstacles and inner impurities
  • Liberation from the fear of death
  • Attainment of Shiva-loka (per the phala-shruti)
  • Daily protection and Shiva's grace

Verses

Shloka 1

Sanskrit (Devanagari)

नागेन्द्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय भस्माङ्गरागाय महेश्वराय । नित्याय शुद्धाय दिगम्बराय तस्मै "न" काराय नमः शिवाय ॥ १ ॥

Transliteration (IAST)

nāgendra-hārāya tri-locanāya bhasmāṅga-rāgāya maheśvarāya nityāya śuddhāya digambarāya tasmai "na" kārāya namaḥ śivāya

English meaning

Salutations to Shiva, who wears the king of serpents as a garland, who is three-eyed, smeared with sacred ash, the great Lord — eternal, pure, clothed in the directions themselves — to that Shiva represented by the syllable "Na", I bow.

Shloka 2

Sanskrit (Devanagari)

मन्दाकिनीसलिलचन्दनचर्चिताय नन्दीश्वरप्रमथनाथमहेश्वराय । मन्दारपुष्पबहुपुष्पसुपूजिताय तस्मै "म" काराय नमः शिवाय ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration (IAST)

mandākinī-salila-candana-carcitāya nandīśvara-pramatha-nātha-maheśvarāya mandāra-puṣpa-bahu-puṣpa-supūjitāya tasmai "ma" kārāya namaḥ śivāya

English meaning

Salutations to Shiva, anointed with Ganga's waters and sandal paste, the Lord of Nandi and the Pramatha-ganas, the great Lord, worshipped with mandara and many other flowers — to that Shiva represented by the syllable "Ma", I bow.

Shloka 3

Sanskrit (Devanagari)

शिवाय गौरीवदनाब्जवृन्द- सूर्याय दक्षाध्वरनाशकाय । श्रीनीलकण्ठाय वृषध्वजाय तस्मै "शि" काराय नमः शिवाय ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration (IAST)

śivāya gaurī-vadanābja-vṛnda- sūryāya dakṣādhvara-nāśakāya śrī-nīla-kaṇṭhāya vṛṣa-dhvajāya tasmai "śi" kārāya namaḥ śivāya

English meaning

Salutations to Shiva — the auspicious one, the sun to the lotus-face of Gauri, destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice, the blue-throated Lord whose banner bears the bull — to that Shiva represented by the syllable "Shi", I bow.

Shloka 4

Sanskrit (Devanagari)

वसिष्ठकुम्भोद्भवगौतमार्य- मुनीन्द्रदेवार्चितशेखराय । चन्द्रार्कवैश्वानरलोचनाय तस्मै "व" काराय नमः शिवाय ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration (IAST)

vasiṣṭha-kumbhodbhava-gautamārya- munīndra-devārcita-śekharāya candrārka-vaiśvānara-locanāya tasmai "va" kārāya namaḥ śivāya

English meaning

Salutations to Shiva, whose crown is worshipped by Vasishtha, Agastya (born of a pot), Gautama, and the noble sages and gods — whose three eyes are the moon, the sun, and fire — to that Shiva represented by the syllable "Va", I bow.

Shloka 5

Sanskrit (Devanagari)

यक्षस्वरूपाय जटाधराय पिनाकहस्ताय सनातनाय । दिव्याय देवाय दिगम्बराय तस्मै "य" काराय नमः शिवाय ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration (IAST)

yakṣa-svarūpāya jaṭā-dharāya pināka-hastāya sanātanāya divyāya devāya digambarāya tasmai "ya" kārāya namaḥ śivāya

English meaning

Salutations to Shiva, who appears as a Yaksha, who wears matted locks, who holds the Pinaka bow, the eternal one, the divine Lord clothed in the directions themselves — to that Shiva represented by the syllable "Ya", I bow.

Shloka 6

Sanskrit (Devanagari)

पञ्चाक्षरमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेच्छिवसन्निधौ । शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते ॥

Transliteration (IAST)

pañcākṣaram idaṃ puṇyaṃ yaḥ paṭhec chiva-sannidhau śiva-lokam avāpnoti śivena saha modate

English meaning

Whoever recites this auspicious five-syllable hymn in the presence of Shiva attains the realm of Shiva and rejoices there with him.

Sources verified against

  • Adi Shankaracharya — attributed (traditional)
  • Gita Press, Gorakhpur — Bṛhatstotraratnākara
  • Stotraratnāvalī — Sringeri Sharada Peetham edition

Frequently asked questions

When should I recite Shiva Panchakshara Stotra?

Best days: Monday, Pradosh Trayodashi. Best time: pre-dawn.

What language is this stotra in?

The original is in Sanskrit (or Awadhi for the Hanuman Chalisa). We provide it in Devanagari script, IAST transliteration for pronunciation, and English meaning for understanding.

How accurate is the text?

Each stotra is cross-validated against multiple published authoritative sources, listed on this page under "Sources verified against". If you spot any discrepancy from your tradition, please let us know.

How long does it take to recite?

Approximately 3 minutes at a steady, devotional pace.

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