Om Namah Shivaya
Om Namah Shivaya — Sanskrit Text (Original)
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya — Transliteration (Roman Script)
Om Namah Shivaya
Om Namah Shivaya Meaning in English
I bow to Lord Shiva, the auspicious one who is the transformer and destroyer of evil
Origin & History of Om Namah Shivaya
Om Namah Shivaya (ॐ नमः शिवाय) is one of the most sacred Panchakshara mantras in Hinduism, originating in the Krishna Yajurveda (Shri Rudram, 8th Anuvaka). It has been chanted by devotees for over 3,000 years. The mantra appears in the Shiva Purana where Lord Shiva himself tells Goddess Parvati: "There is no mantra superior to Om Namah Shivaya."
The five syllables — Na, Ma, Shi, Va, Ya — represent the Panchabhuta (five elements): Earth (Na), Water (Ma), Fire (Shi), Air (Va), and Space (Ya). These are the five building blocks of the universe and the human body. Chanting this mantra is said to purify all five elements within the practitioner.
The great sage Thirumoolar praised this mantra in the Tirumantiram: "Those who know Om Namah Shivaya, the five-letter mantra of Shiva, achieve liberation. Those who repeat it daily will have divine grace bestowed upon them." The mantra has been central to the Shaiva Siddhanta tradition, Kashmiri Shaivism, and is chanted by hundreds of millions across India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka daily.
Benefits of Chanting Om Namah Shivaya 108 Times
Removes negativity, calms the mind, and brings inner peace
- Removes negativity, fear, and mental obstacles
- Deepens spiritual connection and devotion to Lord Shiva
- Calms the nervous system and reduces anxiety and stress
- Purifies the home and environment when chanted aloud
- Strengthens willpower and concentration
- Traditionally associated with divine protection and grace
How to Chant Om Namah Shivaya — Step-by-Step Guide
Best time: Brahma Muhurta (4–6 AM) or during the evening twilight (Sandhya Kaal). Mondays and Mahashivaratri are especially auspicious for Lord Shiva's mantras.
- Preparation: Bathe or wash hands and face. Sit facing North or East on a clean mat or cushion.
- Posture: Sit in Sukhasana (cross-legged) or Padmasana. Keep spine straight, hands in Jnana mudra (thumb and index finger touching).
- Pranayama: Take 3 deep breaths. Exhale completely before you begin.
- Chanting: Begin with "Om" — let the vibration resonate in your chest. Then chant "Na-mah Shi-va-ya" slowly and clearly.
- Mala: Use a Rudraksha mala (108 beads). Move one bead per repetition. Complete 1, 3, or 11 rounds for best results.
- Focus: Visualise Lord Shiva — seated on Mount Kailash, white as camphor, third eye on forehead, crescent moon in his matted locks.
- Completion: After 108 repetitions, sit in silence for 2–5 minutes. Offer the merits of your practice to all beings.
For beginners: Start with 11 repetitions daily for 21 days, then increase to 108. Chanting aloud creates powerful sound vibrations; silent (mental) chanting is equally powerful and recommended during work or travel.
Scientific Research on Om Namah Shivaya Chanting
Modern neuroscience has begun validating what Vedic tradition has known for millennia. Research published in the International Journal of Yoga found that mantra meditation activates the default mode network of the brain, associated with self-reflection and reduced stress. Studies at AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) showed that regular Shiva mantra chanting reduced blood pressure by an average of 8 mmHg and cortisol levels by 15% after 8 weeks.
The "Om" syllable specifically generates a vibration of approximately 136.1 Hz — which matches the cosmic frequency of the Earth's revolution around the Sun (the "OM of the universe"). EEG studies show this frequency induces alpha brain waves — the state of relaxed alertness associated with creativity and reduced anxiety. The nasal consonants (Na, Ma) and sibilants (Shi, Va, Ya) create specific vibrations in the cranial and chest cavities that stimulate the vagus nerve.
Frequently Asked Questions — Om Namah Shivaya
What does Om Namah Shivaya mean in English?
Om Namah Shivaya means 'I bow to Lord Shiva' or 'I surrender to the divine consciousness of Shiva.' The five syllables Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya represent the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, space). Together they signify: the entire universe bows to the supreme consciousness that created and pervades it.
How many times should I chant Om Namah Shivaya?
The traditional practice is 108 times using a Rudraksha mala. The number 108 is sacred — there are 108 Upanishads, 108 sacred pilgrimage sites, and the distance between Earth and Sun is approximately 108 solar diameters. For beginners, 11 or 21 repetitions daily is a good starting point. Advanced practitioners chant 1,008 times (one full maala × 9 rounds) during festivals.
Can women chant Om Namah Shivaya?
Yes, absolutely. Om Namah Shivaya is a universal mantra with no gender, caste, or age restrictions. Women, men, and children can all chant it freely at any time. Many women saints including Akka Mahadevi and Mirabai were devoted Shiva bhaktas.
What are the benefits of chanting Om Namah Shivaya 108 times daily?
Regular daily chanting of Om Namah Shivaya 108 times is said to: remove fear and anxiety, purify the mind of negative thoughts, attract divine protection, improve focus and mental clarity, promote healing and good health, clear karmic debt, and ultimately lead to moksha (liberation). Scientifically, the rhythmic chanting activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing cortisol and promoting calm.
What is the best time to chant Om Namah Shivaya?
The most powerful time is Brahma Muhurta — 1.5 hours before sunrise (approximately 4:00–5:30 AM). The second most auspicious time is Pradosh Kaal (the 2.5-hour window after sunset on Trayodashi tithi). Monday is Lord Shiva's sacred day — chanting on Mondays multiplies the benefit. Mahashivaratri is the most powerful night for this mantra.
Chant Om Namah Shivaya 108 Times Online
Use our free digital Japa counter to chant Om Namah Shivaya 108 times. The app tracks your count, plays audio pronunciation, and keeps a record of your daily practice. Open the mantra chanting app →