Lyrics (Devanagari)
ॐ नमः शिवाय।
Om Namah Shivaya.
Meaning
Om, salutations to Shiva. This is the Panchakshari ("five-syllable") mantra — Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya — each syllable corresponding to one of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether) and one of Shiva's five faces. It is considered the most fundamental mantra of Shaivism.
When & Why It Is Recited
Chanted continuously (japa) using a Rudraksha mala of 108 beads, especially on Mondays and during Shravan month and Maha Shivaratri, for inner peace, purification and dissolution of ego.