Agnideva
09 February 2007, 02:23 PM
Namaste All,
As we all know, the supreme mantra of Shaivism is Namah Shivaya, also called the panchakshara (penta-syllabic). When we add Aum to Namah Shivaya, it becomes the shadakshara (hexa-syllabic). Shaivite theology tells us that this mantra itself is the body of God. Therefore, meditating upon this mantra is believed to bring one unto realization. Entire hymns have been written to honor this great mantra. The most famous of these hymns is called Panchakshara Stotram (Hymn of the Penta-syllabic) composed by Adi Shankara. Sarabhanga-ji has posted this hymn elsewhere (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=6&page=6) in Sanskrit (I have an English translation, which I can post if anyone is interested). Another such hymn (below) is the Shadakshara Stotram (Hymn of the Hexa-syllabic), which comes to us from a Tantric text called the Rudra Yamala. The Shadakshara Stotram divides the six syllables of the mantra, and through each syllable glorifies the Lord in a most beautiful manner.
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Shadākshara Stotram
Hymn of the Hexa-syllabic
(aum-na-ma-shi-vā-ya)
From the Rudra Yāmala
Unto the aum in union with bindu, meditated upon daily by great yogis,
Which leads to fulfillment of desires, and unto liberation, salutations be. ||1||
To the Supreme Lord venerated by the great sages and heavenly maidens,
Hosts of beings, men and Devas, embodied in the syllable na,
Forever be our salutations. ||2||
To the great Effulgent Being, embodied in the syllable ma, that transcendent Self,
To the Absolver of all sins, the Supreme Object of meditation and worship,
Salutations be, again and again. ||3||
To the all-Auspicious, all-powerful Lord of the Universe, embodied in the syllable shi,
The Bestower of peace and prosperity unto the world, to the One, the Eternal,
May our salutations always be. ||4||
He who holds Shakti to His left, whose mount is the Bull (Nandi),
Unto Him garlanded with the serpent Vāsuki, embodied in the syllable va,
Our salutations again and again. ||5||
To the all-pervading Great Lord, embodied in the syllable ya,
To the Guru of all the Devas, to God with and without form,
Wherever may He be; our salutations. ||6||
Whosoever recites this Hymn of the Hexa-syllabic in the presence of God Shiva,
He will certainly attain the Supreme abode of Shiva,
And enjoy everlasting bliss with Him. ||7||
Aum Namah Shivāya
As we all know, the supreme mantra of Shaivism is Namah Shivaya, also called the panchakshara (penta-syllabic). When we add Aum to Namah Shivaya, it becomes the shadakshara (hexa-syllabic). Shaivite theology tells us that this mantra itself is the body of God. Therefore, meditating upon this mantra is believed to bring one unto realization. Entire hymns have been written to honor this great mantra. The most famous of these hymns is called Panchakshara Stotram (Hymn of the Penta-syllabic) composed by Adi Shankara. Sarabhanga-ji has posted this hymn elsewhere (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=6&page=6) in Sanskrit (I have an English translation, which I can post if anyone is interested). Another such hymn (below) is the Shadakshara Stotram (Hymn of the Hexa-syllabic), which comes to us from a Tantric text called the Rudra Yamala. The Shadakshara Stotram divides the six syllables of the mantra, and through each syllable glorifies the Lord in a most beautiful manner.
------
Shadākshara Stotram
Hymn of the Hexa-syllabic
(aum-na-ma-shi-vā-ya)
From the Rudra Yāmala
Unto the aum in union with bindu, meditated upon daily by great yogis,
Which leads to fulfillment of desires, and unto liberation, salutations be. ||1||
To the Supreme Lord venerated by the great sages and heavenly maidens,
Hosts of beings, men and Devas, embodied in the syllable na,
Forever be our salutations. ||2||
To the great Effulgent Being, embodied in the syllable ma, that transcendent Self,
To the Absolver of all sins, the Supreme Object of meditation and worship,
Salutations be, again and again. ||3||
To the all-Auspicious, all-powerful Lord of the Universe, embodied in the syllable shi,
The Bestower of peace and prosperity unto the world, to the One, the Eternal,
May our salutations always be. ||4||
He who holds Shakti to His left, whose mount is the Bull (Nandi),
Unto Him garlanded with the serpent Vāsuki, embodied in the syllable va,
Our salutations again and again. ||5||
To the all-pervading Great Lord, embodied in the syllable ya,
To the Guru of all the Devas, to God with and without form,
Wherever may He be; our salutations. ||6||
Whosoever recites this Hymn of the Hexa-syllabic in the presence of God Shiva,
He will certainly attain the Supreme abode of Shiva,
And enjoy everlasting bliss with Him. ||7||
Aum Namah Shivāya