Shiva Panchaksari Mantra

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AngirasaBaradwajaChandaGyatriAnustupTristupBrihatiViratDevataIndraRudraHariBrahmaSkandaFaceEastNorth

WestSouthUpwardsSwaraUdattaUdattaSwarittaSwarittaUdattaAt the end of this

chapter in the Shiva Purana (which has much moredetail than given here), Shiva

talks to Parvati. He tells Devi that Her mula mantra (root mantra) is also

panchaksari, but it becomesNamah Shivayai. We then have a similar variation for

Shakti Ma.Shadakshari MantraShad means 6 and akshara means syllables, so the

Shiva shadakshari mantra is the 6 syllable Aum Namah Sivaya mantra. Aum Namah

Sivaya isthree words and 6 syllables- so it takes the 3rd house

energy(parakrama) to the sixth house. Sixth house rules karma/works/serviceand

also shad-ripus (our weaknesses). So Aum Namah Sivaya is best for karma yoga

and purification of our bad karma and bad habits.In the Shiva Purana, it is

Krsna that teaches the shadakshari mantra.He says it colors peoples heart and

makes them happy (loka chitta), itgives artha (wealth and moksa (spirituality)

and is ornamented with a variety of siddhis (perfections). It is the essence of

divinity(devasara), and the root of all vidya (nikil vidya). It is like andacorn

of a banyan tree, giving rise to the greatest vidya(knowledge/science). The five

syllables are the five faces of Shiva, it is Shiva himself,it is naturally part

of him as speech. The mantra is the devata, theyreside together as speaker and

spoken word. When Shiva himself Chants Aum, we have Aum Namah Sivaya.It is said

to be a medicine of all dosas (problems) of samsara. Thename of Shiva is

specific for removing putra doshas (problems relatedto having children). When

there is no Sun we are enshrouded in darkness, the name of Siva is like the

light of the Sun. It giveslimitless omniscience (sarvajna), bliss (anandamaya

sankara), andliberation (moksa). The Shadakshari is the knowledge of

Shiva(Shivajnana), and it is the ultimate objective (paramapada)

 

With regards

Prasanna Kumar