Correct pronounciation of OM NAMA SHIVAYA

[Guest guest]

All,

 

Could any of you answer the following question?

 

Which is the correct pronounciation of the mantra "OM NAMA SHIVAYA"

In Tirumular's Thirumanthiram it is described as

"OM Na-Ma-See-Vaa-Ya".

 

There are variations like

OM NAMA SIVAYA

OM NAMA SHIVAYA

 

Which one is the correct one or both are correct variations of the

divine name.

 

Please clarify.

 

Thanks!

Prakash

[Guest guest]

Both are correct. There are others as well. Some will argue this of course. This is why you receive from the mouth of your Guru. Then you can never go wrong.

-

Registered Certified Notes Professional

Friday, October 20, 2006 8:52 AM

Correct pronounciation of OM NAMA SHIVAYA

 

 

All,

 

Could any of you answer the following question?

 

Which is the correct pronounciation of the mantra "OM NAMA SHIVAYA"

In Tirumular's Thirumanthiram it is described as

"OM Na-Ma-See-Vaa-Ya".

 

There are variations like

OM NAMA SIVAYA

OM NAMA SHIVAYA

 

Which one is the correct one or both are correct variations of the

divine name.

 

Please clarify.

 

Thanks!

Prakash

[Guest guest]

Dear Prakash jee

 

("h" in "námah") may be pronounced in two different ways according

to its position in a sentence. When it is "at the end" of a

sentence, Visargá is to be uttered by adding the same vowel

preceding it but in a very short form. For example, if "námah" were

to be at the end of the Mántra (Om shivaaya namah), it is to be

pronounced "námaha" (pronounce "h" as normally in English), where

the last "a" is much shorter that the second one. However, when

Visargá is "in the middle" of a sentence, it is to be uttered

without adding anything. For instance, "námah" in "Om namah

shivaaya" is to pronounced "námah" (pronounce "h" as normally in

English). Thus, when the Mántra is written in its original form

as "Om námah shivaaya", Visargá sounds like "h" (námah) and not

like "ha" (námaha). Whether you have to use one way to utter Visargá

or the other, it is "always" pronounced, i.e. it should never be

omitted. Therefore, to pronounce only "náma" is not correct. Of

course, most people pronounce "náma" and omit the Visargá sound.

That is why I took the trouble to explain this topic in detail.

There are no "mute" letters in Sanskrit. Understand this and stop

pronouncing "náma" if you are doing so, please.

 

A last thing: This Mántra may be used while you carry out your daily

tasks as well as in meditation. Repeat it at the same speed as a

person speaks normally, neither too fast nor too slow. It is one of

the most powerful Mántra-s and the effect it produces may be

increased if you coordinate the Mántra with your breathing process:

once while you breathe in, once while you breathe out. Obviously,

this may be only practiced when you are meditating, as it is very

difficult to accomplish when you are working, speaking and the like.

Some people might experience that the Mántra is too long to be

repeated once when breathing in and once when breathing out. Well,

if you are one of them, just do not coordinate it with your breath.

Sometimes, when this problem occurs, people may use shorter Mántra-s

alternatively only for meditation.

 

Regards

Prasanna Kumar

[Guest guest]

>Whether you have to use one way to utter Visargá

> or the other, it is "always" pronounced, i.e. it should never be

> omitted. Therefore, to pronounce only "náma" is not correct. Of

> course, most people pronounce "náma" and omit the Visargá sound.

> That is why I took the trouble to explain this topic in detail.

> There are no "mute" letters in Sanskrit. Understand this and stop

> pronouncing "náma" if you are doing so, please.

>

 

Dear Prasanna-ji,

Namaste ! As you said above, most people pronounce "Om nama

shivaya". As far as my ears can tell, if you hear the beautiful Rudram

recital on www.vedamantram.com, even Pandit-ji pronounces "Nama

Shivaya". It is a real treat to hear the recital on this website. The

voice and intonation is majestic.

 

regards,

Om Namah Shivaya

[Guest guest]

If people have a hard time repeating this short mantra once with each in and out breath, I think some exercise is in order!

 

BAM!

-

prasanna kumar

Friday, October 20, 2006 5:54 PM

Re: Correct pronounciation of OM NAMA SHIVAYA

 

 

Dear Prakash jee

 

("h" in "námah") may be pronounced in two different ways according

to its position in a sentence. When it is "at the end" of a

sentence, Visargá is to be uttered by adding the same vowel

preceding it but in a very short form. For example, if "námah" were

to be at the end of the Mántra (Om shivaaya namah), it is to be

pronounced "námaha" (pronounce "h" as normally in English), where

the last "a" is much shorter that the second one. However, when

Visargá is "in the middle" of a sentence, it is to be uttered

without adding anything. For instance, "námah" in "Om namah

shivaaya" is to pronounced "námah" (pronounce "h" as normally in

English). Thus, when the Mántra is written in its original form

as "Om námah shivaaya", Visargá sounds like "h" (námah) and not

like "ha" (námaha). Whether you have to use one way to utter Visargá

or the other, it is "always" pronounced, i.e. it should never be

omitted. Therefore, to pronounce only "náma" is not correct. Of

course, most people pronounce "náma" and omit the Visargá sound.

That is why I took the trouble to explain this topic in detail.

There are no "mute" letters in Sanskrit. Understand this and stop

pronouncing "náma" if you are doing so, please.

 

A last thing: This Mántra may be used while you carry out your daily

tasks as well as in meditation. Repeat it at the same speed as a

person speaks normally, neither too fast nor too slow. It is one of

the most powerful Mántra-s and the effect it produces may be

increased if you coordinate the Mántra with your breathing process:

once while you breathe in, once while you breathe out. Obviously,

this may be only practiced when you are meditating, as it is very

difficult to accomplish when you are working, speaking and the like.

Some people might experience that the Mántra is too long to be

repeated once when breathing in and once when breathing out. Well,

if you are one of them, just do not coordinate it with your breath.

Sometimes, when this problem occurs, people may use shorter Mántra-s

alternatively only for meditation.

 

Regards

Prasanna Kumar

[Guest guest]

Yes it is exceptionally nice! And easy to download to one's cell phone too! I've enjoyed it many times like this and shared it with others this way too!

 

BOM MAHADEV!

 

-

mahadevadvaita

Friday, October 20, 2006 8:59 PM

Re: Correct pronounciation of OM NAMA SHIVAYA

 

 

>Whether you have to use one way to utter Visargá

> or the other, it is "always" pronounced, i.e. it should never be

> omitted. Therefore, to pronounce only "náma" is not correct. Of

> course, most people pronounce "náma" and omit the Visargá sound.

> That is why I took the trouble to explain this topic in detail.

> There are no "mute" letters in Sanskrit. Understand this and stop

> pronouncing "náma" if you are doing so, please.

>

 

Dear Prasanna-ji,

Namaste ! As you said above, most people pronounce "Om nama

shivaya". As far as my ears can tell, if you hear the beautiful Rudram

recital on www.vedamantram.com, even Pandit-ji pronounces "Nama

Shivaya". It is a real treat to hear the recital on this website. The

voice and intonation is majestic.

 

regards,

Om Namah Shivaya

[Guest guest]

Respected Prasanna ji

 

We are greateful to you that you explained the importance of

prononuciation of the words in chanting mantras and in particular the

importance of the word "h". I have one query which has been haunting

me for a quite long time. I would apprciate if you could enlighten me

on that. My query is - Does it affect anyway adversely if someone's

prononciation is not up to the mark in chanting the mantras and, in

particular, "Om namah Shivaaya"? If so, in what way it could affect

adversely? I had read somewhere that God see the faith and devotion

and for HIM that is more importance and not the way you do. Also, I

had read in Gita (english translation) that Lord Krishna had said

that the for HIM the "motive of the work" is more important and not

the "work" alone. So in that context, if ever, I wrongly prononuce

the mantra unintentionally (which happens sometimes as to be very

frank, I am not well acquainted with the Sanskrit language),how it

can affect me adversely?

 

I have been practicing to deveop a habit of chanting this mantra

(within inside myself - i.e without speaking or murmurring outside)

while doing some routine manual work alone like driving or simply

walking or dusting or sometimes before going for nap. Is it ok or any

change is required. Though I have never followed the trend of

breathing while doing this. Please advise.

Thanks & Regard.

Vijay Shanker

 

 

, "prasanna kumar"

<groupowner.prasanna wrote:

>

> Dear Prakash jee

>

> ("h" in "námah") may be pronounced in two different ways according

> to its position in a sentence. When it is "at the end" of a

> sentence, Visargá is to be uttered by adding the same vowel

> preceding it but in a very short form. For example, if "námah" were

> to be at the end of the Mántra (Om shivaaya namah), it is to be

> pronounced "námaha" (pronounce "h" as normally in English), where

> the last "a" is much shorter that the second one. However, when

> Visargá is "in the middle" of a sentence, it is to be uttered

> without adding anything. For instance, "námah" in "Om namah

> shivaaya" is to pronounced "námah" (pronounce "h" as normally in

> English). Thus, when the Mántra is written in its original form

> as "Om námah shivaaya", Visargá sounds like "h" (námah) and not

> like "ha" (námaha). Whether you have to use one way to utter

Visargá

> or the other, it is "always" pronounced, i.e. it should never be

> omitted. Therefore, to pronounce only "náma" is not correct. Of

> course, most people pronounce "náma" and omit the Visargá sound.

> That is why I took the trouble to explain this topic in detail.

> There are no "mute" letters in Sanskrit. Understand this and stop

> pronouncing "náma" if you are doing so, please.

>

> A last thing: This Mántra may be used while you carry out your

daily

> tasks as well as in meditation. Repeat it at the same speed as a

> person speaks normally, neither too fast nor too slow. It is one of

> the most powerful Mántra-s and the effect it produces may be

> increased if you coordinate the Mántra with your breathing process:

> once while you breathe in, once while you breathe out. Obviously,

> this may be only practiced when you are meditating, as it is very

> difficult to accomplish when you are working, speaking and the

like.

> Some people might experience that the Mántra is too long to be

> repeated once when breathing in and once when breathing out. Well,

> if you are one of them, just do not coordinate it with your breath.

> Sometimes, when this problem occurs, people may use shorter Mántra-

s

> alternatively only for meditation.

>

> Regards

> Prasanna Kumar

>

[Guest guest]

Namaskar Prasannaji.

 

That is the True Purna Shashtriya explanation.

 

Thank you for guiding people to the right path.

 

All Jap-Mantras require perfect pronounciations for the Fala.

 

I'm an old, you can call an orthodox, type of hindu and been hurt many times by wrong pronounciations and spellings created by people all over the world.

 

Atleast I found one Right person in my journey who truely cares and understands what is right and wrong.

 

Again SahAadar Namaskar.

 

Pathik

 

PS: I was reading about the Rudraxas on this forum and might hit some wrong key but came to the right page where you're. Destiny!

[Guest guest]

Dear Prasanna ji,

 

Thank you for your elaborate clarification on the sanskrit

pronounciation of the mantra.

 

thanks!

Prakash

, "prasanna kumar"

<groupowner.prasanna wrote:

>

> Dear Prakash jee

>

> ("h" in "námah") may be pronounced in two different ways according

> to its position in a sentence. When it is "at the end" of a

> sentence, Visargá is to be uttered by adding the same vowel

> preceding it but in a very short form. For example, if "námah" were

> to be at the end of the Mántra (Om shivaaya namah), it is to be

> pronounced "námaha" (pronounce "h" as normally in English), where

> the last "a" is much shorter that the second one. However, when

> Visargá is "in the middle" of a sentence, it is to be uttered

> without adding anything. For instance, "námah" in "Om namah

> shivaaya" is to pronounced "námah" (pronounce "h" as normally in

> English). Thus, when the Mántra is written in its original form

> as "Om námah shivaaya", Visargá sounds like "h" (námah) and not

> like "ha" (námaha). Whether you have to use one way to utter Visargá

> or the other, it is "always" pronounced, i.e. it should never be

> omitted. Therefore, to pronounce only "náma" is not correct. Of

> course, most people pronounce "náma" and omit the Visargá sound.

> That is why I took the trouble to explain this topic in detail.

> There are no "mute" letters in Sanskrit. Understand this and stop

> pronouncing "náma" if you are doing so, please.

>

> A last thing: This Mántra may be used while you carry out your daily

> tasks as well as in meditation. Repeat it at the same speed as a

> person speaks normally, neither too fast nor too slow. It is one of

> the most powerful Mántra-s and the effect it produces may be

> increased if you coordinate the Mántra with your breathing process:

> once while you breathe in, once while you breathe out. Obviously,

> this may be only practiced when you are meditating, as it is very

> difficult to accomplish when you are working, speaking and the like.

> Some people might experience that the Mántra is too long to be

> repeated once when breathing in and once when breathing out. Well,

> if you are one of them, just do not coordinate it with your breath.

> Sometimes, when this problem occurs, people may use shorter Mántra-s

> alternatively only for meditation.

>

> Regards

> Prasanna Kumar

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Vijay jee

 

 

 

What you read is correct, Bhakti is more important and Lord Shiva will guide

you if go wrong. Please do not worry about what will happen if I chant the

mantra wrong. When you chant the Mantra, you are trying to release the

potential energy of your personality by bombarding it with concentration.

And the deity releases its blessing, which means to say the superintending,

transcendent aspect of the deity becomes an immanent force in our own

experience - the transcendent God becomes an immanent presence. That is the

vision of God that we have in meditation - transcendence becoming immanence.

The deity that is above you becomes an object of cognition and perception in

front of you. I insisted on writing of the Mantra, in addition to the

chanting of it as a Japa, is because while in mere chanting the mind can

wander here and there. In writing there is a lesser chance of the mind

wandering, because you have to write. Therefore the mind has to be

concentrating on the formation of the letters, as there is a compulsion to

concentrate in a more intense degree in writing the Mantra than while merely

chanting, especially mentally because while in mere chanting the mind can

wander here and there. In writing there is a lesser chance of the mind

wandering, because you have to write. Therefore the mind has to be

concentrating on the formation of the letters, as there is a compulsion to

concentrate in a more intense degree in writing the Mantra than while merely

chanting, especially mentally because while in mere chanting the mind can

wander here and there. In writing there is a lesser chance of the mind

wandering, because you have to write. Therefore the mind has to be

concentrating on the formation of the letters, as there is a compulsion to

concentrate in a more intense degree in writing the Mantra than while merely

chanting, especially mentally. So, under the circumstances of these

implications of the recitation of a Mantra, either verbally, mentally, or in

writing, we may safely say that a Mantra chanted, whether in the mind or by

the formation of a sound, and even in writing, will have the desired effect.

It shall bring about peace of mind within oneself and create in oneself a

spiritual force, and certainly contribute to world peace .Recitation of a

Mantra, either verbally, mentally, or in writing, we may safely say that a

Mantra chanted, whether in the mind or by the formation of a sound, and even

in writing, will have the desired effect. It shall bring about peace of mind

within oneself

 

 

 

*Doubts are like clouds. Pray intensely to the Lord for guidance. Keep on

praying and do meditation. Remember him as many times as possible, if not

constantly. Be strong and don't yield to doubts and despair. These are like

tests. We should come out successfully. I am sure your faith in God will

become stronger and stronger day-by-day.*

 

* *

 

*Regards*

 

* *

 

*Prasanna Kumar*

[Guest guest]

dear shiv bhakts

om namo bhagawate rudraya

 

as prasannaji has rightly elucidated, bhakti is more important than

the pronounciation in seeking the blessings of the lord. in bhakti,

the devotee goes into a trans and seeks to see only the lord and

nothing else. whether done with right or wrong pronounciation, the

devotee sees the lord and gets the blessings of the lord.

 

due to various dialectical variations, same name is spelt in

different pronounciations even within india. for example in

north "Ram" is pronounced whereas in the four southern states it is

pronounced as "rama", "ramu", "raman" and "ramam". similarly the

son of lord shiva "subrahmanya" is pronounced

as "subrahmanyam", "subramaniam" and "subramanian".

 

in south "SIVA" is pronounced akin to sarma and sastry whereas in

the north it is pronounced as "SHIVA", Sharma and Shastri.

 

hence i request shiv bhakts to focus more on chanting the lord's

name in whatever pronounciation they are comfortable with.

 

as regards the panchakshari mantra i.e. na, ma, si, va, ya, the

meaning of each letter is spelt clearly in the previous mails and

hence if a person spells nama, namah or namaha, there is no sin in

pronouncing in any of these three ways. also similarly one can

pronounce sivaya or shivaya and both are fine.

 

in the mantra books, it is written like this on the panchakshari:

 

tasmaat sarvaprado mantra; syama panchaksharasmriti:

shreebhi shudraischa sankeernai ratra muktischa kankshitam

nasya deeksha na homascha na samskaro na tarpanam na kala

updadesascha sada suchirayam manu:

(spelling mistake if any in translation from sanskrit to english may be condoned)

 

"Om Namah shivaya" mantra can be recited by women, low caste people

and all religious people and everyone who chants this mantra gets

salvation. for reciting this mantra one needs no deeksha, no homam,

no tarpanam, nor upadesam and no restrictions on time and place for

reciting this. this mantra remains holy at all times for recital.

 

keep chanting "om namah shivaya" in whichever pronounciation you are

comfortable with and lord shiva bless you all.

 

with best wishes and blessings

pandit arjun

9948892439

 

, "Prasanna Kumar

Kasturi" <groupowner.prasanna wrote:

>

> Dear Vijay jee

>

>

>

> What you read is correct, Bhakti is more important and Lord Shiva

will guide

> you if go wrong. Please do not worry about what will happen if I

chant the

> mantra wrong. When you chant the Mantra, you are trying to release

the

> potential energy of your personality by bombarding it with

concentration.

> And the deity releases its blessing, which means to say the

superintending,

> transcendent aspect of the deity becomes an immanent force in our

own

> experience - the transcendent God becomes an immanent presence.

That is the

> vision of God that we have in meditation - transcendence becoming

immanence.

> The deity that is above you becomes an object of cognition and

perception in

> front of you. I insisted on writing of the Mantra, in addition to

the

> chanting of it as a Japa, is because while in mere chanting the

mind can

> wander here and there. In writing there is a lesser chance of the

mind

> wandering, because you have to write. Therefore the mind has to be

> concentrating on the formation of the letters, as there is a

compulsion to

> concentrate in a more intense degree in writing the Mantra than

while merely

> chanting, especially mentally because while in mere chanting the

mind can

> wander here and there. In writing there is a lesser chance of the

mind

> wandering, because you have to write. Therefore the mind has to be

> concentrating on the formation of the letters, as there is a

compulsion to

> concentrate in a more intense degree in writing the Mantra than

while merely

> chanting, especially mentally because while in mere chanting the

mind can

> wander here and there. In writing there is a lesser chance of the

mind

> wandering, because you have to write. Therefore the mind has to be

> concentrating on the formation of the letters, as there is a

compulsion to

> concentrate in a more intense degree in writing the Mantra than

while merely

> chanting, especially mentally. So, under the circumstances of these

> implications of the recitation of a Mantra, either verbally,

mentally, or in

> writing, we may safely say that a Mantra chanted, whether in the

mind or by

> the formation of a sound, and even in writing, will have the

desired effect.

> It shall bring about peace of mind within oneself and create in

oneself a

> spiritual force, and certainly contribute to world

peace .Recitation of a

> Mantra, either verbally, mentally, or in writing, we may safely

say that a

> Mantra chanted, whether in the mind or by the formation of a

sound, and even

> in writing, will have the desired effect. It shall bring about

peace of mind

> within oneself

>

>

>

> *Doubts are like clouds. Pray intensely to the Lord for guidance.

Keep on

> praying and do meditation. Remember him as many times as possible,

if not

> constantly. Be strong and don't yield to doubts and despair. These

are like

> tests. We should come out successfully. I am sure your faith in

God will

> become stronger and stronger day-by-day.*

>

> * *

>

> *Regards*

>

> * *

>

> *Prasanna Kumar*

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you very much Prasanna ji for explaining in detail how mantras

work.

 

Regards

Vijay Shanker

 

 

, "Prasanna Kumar

Kasturi" <groupowner.prasanna wrote:

>

> Dear Vijay jee

>

>

>

> What you read is correct, Bhakti is more important and Lord Shiva

will guide

> you if go wrong. Please do not worry about what will happen if I

chant the

> mantra wrong. When you chant the Mantra, you are trying to release

the

> potential energy of your personality by bombarding it with

concentration.

> And the deity releases its blessing, which means to say the

superintending,

> transcendent aspect of the deity becomes an immanent force in our

own

> experience - the transcendent God becomes an immanent presence.

That is the

> vision of God that we have in meditation - transcendence becoming

immanence.

> The deity that is above you becomes an object of cognition and

perception in

> front of you. I insisted on writing of the Mantra, in addition to

the

> chanting of it as a Japa, is because while in mere chanting the

mind can

> wander here and there. In writing there is a lesser chance of the

mind

> wandering, because you have to write. Therefore the mind has to be

> concentrating on the formation of the letters, as there is a

compulsion to

> concentrate in a more intense degree in writing the Mantra than

while merely

> chanting, especially mentally because while in mere chanting the

mind can

> wander here and there. In writing there is a lesser chance of the

mind

> wandering, because you have to write. Therefore the mind has to be

> concentrating on the formation of the letters, as there is a

compulsion to

> concentrate in a more intense degree in writing the Mantra than

while merely

> chanting, especially mentally because while in mere chanting the

mind can

> wander here and there. In writing there is a lesser chance of the

mind

> wandering, because you have to write. Therefore the mind has to be

> concentrating on the formation of the letters, as there is a

compulsion to

> concentrate in a more intense degree in writing the Mantra than

while merely

> chanting, especially mentally. So, under the circumstances of these

> implications of the recitation of a Mantra, either verbally,

mentally, or in

> writing, we may safely say that a Mantra chanted, whether in the

mind or by

> the formation of a sound, and even in writing, will have the

desired effect.

> It shall bring about peace of mind within oneself and create in

oneself a

> spiritual force, and certainly contribute to world

peace .Recitation of a

> Mantra, either verbally, mentally, or in writing, we may safely say

that a

> Mantra chanted, whether in the mind or by the formation of a sound,

and even

> in writing, will have the desired effect. It shall bring about

peace of mind

> within oneself

>

>

>

> *Doubts are like clouds. Pray intensely to the Lord for guidance.

Keep on

> praying and do meditation. Remember him as many times as possible,

if not

> constantly. Be strong and don't yield to doubts and despair. These

are like

> tests. We should come out successfully. I am sure your faith in God

will

> become stronger and stronger day-by-day.*

>

> * *

>

> *Regards*

>

> * *

>

> *Prasanna Kumar*

>

[Guest guest]

We wish to install a shivling in a new temple in Noida, near Delhi. Kindly let us know

1-the dimensions of the Shivling

2-the materials that can be used

3-best place to get it

4-auspicious days to instasll

5-what pujas and for how many days/hours to be performed before installation.

 

Thanks

Om Nama Shivaya

ashok Manvati

 

 

 

 

 

 

All,

 

Could any of you answer the following question?

 

Which is the correct pronounciation of the mantra "OM NAMA SHIVAYA"

In Tirumular's Thirumanthiram it is described as

"OM Na-Ma-See-Vaa-Ya".

 

There are variations like

OM NAMA SIVAYA

OM NAMA SHIVAYA

 

Which one is the correct one or both are correct variations of the

divine name.

 

Please clarify.

 

Thanks!

Prakash

[Guest guest]

We wish to install a shivling in a new temple in Noida, near Delhi. Kindly let us know

1-the dimensions of the Shivling

2-the materials that can be used

3-best place to get it

4-auspicious days to instasll

5-what pujas and for how many days/hours to be performed before installation.

 

Thanks

Om Nama Shivaya

ashok Manvati

 

Kindly reply at :-

ashokmanvati@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

All,

 

Could any of you answer the following question?

 

Which is the correct pronounciation of the mantra "OM NAMA SHIVAYA"

In Tirumular's Thirumanthiram it is described as

"OM Na-Ma-See-Vaa-Ya".

 

There are variations like

OM NAMA SIVAYA

OM NAMA SHIVAYA

 

Which one is the correct one or both are correct variations of the

divine name.

 

Please clarify.

 

Thanks!

Prakash