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Thread: Panchakshara with or without OM?

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    Panchakshara with or without OM?

    Namaste all,

    What is the difference between Japa of "Namasivaya" and "Om Namasivaya" ? I read that Shaiva Naayanmaars - all of them mention only "Namasivaya" in their pathigams/compositions (or "Sivayanama") . I have not read any of them mention " Om Namasivaya" or "Om Sivayanama" in their Pathigams. They seem to stress only 5 Letters (excluding OM).

    But all books in Sanskrit - Puranas etc seem to mention only "Om Namasivaya".

    Can anyone throw more light on this,focusing on

    What a seeker should chant?

    Thanks to all ! Best wishes for all in their Sadhana!

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    Re: Panchakshara with or without OM?

    Vannakkam: In my limited understanding, putting 'Aum' in front of a mantra is like giving that mantra praise. So Aum Namasivaya is more like saying, "I praise the mantra namasivaya, whereas namasivaya standing alone means the mantra itself. Sometimes people will write it Na Ma Si Va Ya as well to highlight the fact it's really the 5 syllable mantra it is. Hope that helps.

    Aum Namasivaya

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    Re: Panchakshara with or without OM?

    Namaste EM,
    Quote Originally Posted by Eastern Mind View Post
    Vannakkam: In my limited understanding, putting 'Aum' in front of a mantra is like giving that mantra praise. So Aum Namasivaya is more like saying, "I praise the mantra namasivaya, whereas namasivaya standing alone means the mantra itself. Sometimes people will write it Na Ma Si Va Ya as well to highlight the fact it's really the 5 syllable mantra it is. Hope that helps.
    IMO, it is a little more than that, EM ! "AUM" is the AnAhat (unstruck primordial) sound which is Brahman. All forms of God and the whole creation too are just manifestation of Brahman. That is why we first invoke the Sole Reality which is Infinite, omnipotent and without a second and which takes the form and name we wish to worship with devotion with the sound "OM" or "AUM". Namah Shivaaya means "I bow to (Lord) Shiva".

    OM
    "Om Namo Bhagvate Vaasudevaye"

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    Re: Panchakshara with or without OM?

    Namaste,

    Quote Originally Posted by devotee View Post
    Namaste EM,


    IMO, it is a little more than that, EM ! "AUM" is the AnAhat (unstruck primordial) sound which is Brahman. All forms of God and the whole creation too are just manifestation of Brahman. That is why we first invoke the Sole Reality which is Infinite, omnipotent and without a second and which takes the form and name we wish to worship with devotion with the sound "OM" or "AUM". Namah Shivaaya means "I bow to (Lord) Shiva".

    OM
    +1

    Pranam.

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    Re: Panchakshara with or without OM?

    Vannakkam, Yes Aum is the primordial sound. I was just attempting to answer the OP's question, not start a debate. I've heard it done both ways, with and without Aum, although it's rare that you actually hear a person doing japa, as it's a private matter. So the 'correct' way is the way you were initiated. Even in songs of praise (bhajans) you hear it both ways.

    To further answer the OP's question, perhaps there are differences in in Southern style versus northern. You are certainly correct int he observation that the Tamil Nayanars spoke of just 5 syllables without Aum.

    Aum Namasivaya

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    Re: Panchakshara with or without OM?

    Namaste,
    IMHO, technically it should be Namah Sivaya because that then would be panchakshra (five syllable) mantra. When we add Om it becomes six syllables. That said adding Om to siva's mantra; I doubt he will mind. I knew we talked about this before... a long time ago... in a galaxy far far away...

    http://hindudharmaforums.com/showthr...akshara-Mantra
    satay

  7. #7

    Re: Panchakshara with or without OM?

    I thank all who have replied. It was very informative.

    @Satay, I read the thread on Panchakshara Mantra. It was superb. Though,it still, does not answer explicitly whether to add OM or not. The last question in the thread is still unanswered.. As @easternmind says, the correct way is the way one is initiated.

    It's a noteworthy fact that Thiru Jnana Sambandhar , at both moments of His life - really Momentous moments - His YajnopavIta ceremony & His last moment before quitting His body,

    He stresses on 5 Letters only. Shaiva Naayanmaars hold the supreme secret of 5 Letters. Also Tamil Siddhas.

    Thank all !!

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    Re: Panchakshara with or without OM?

    Namaste,
    My understanding from that thread was that it was ok to add OM.
    satay

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    Re: Panchakshara with or without OM?

    hariḥ oṁ
    ~~~~~~

    namasté


    Consider looking to the results of using pañcamī (5th) or ṣaṣthī (6th) akṣarā ; does it bring about turīya ( the 4th) ?

    इतिशिवं
    iti śivaṁ

    1. akṣarā - imperishable ; a sound; another name of
    śiva; here it is used as a syllable.
    यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
    yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
    because you are identical with śiva

    _

  10. #10

    Re: Panchakshara with or without OM?

    Quote Originally Posted by yajvan View Post
    hariḥ oṁ
    ~~~~~~

    namasté


    Consider looking to the results of using pañcamī (5th) or ṣaṣthī (6th) akṣarā ; does it bring about turīya ( the 4th) ?

    इतिशिवं
    iti śivaṁ

    1. akṣarā - imperishable ; a sound; another name of
    śiva; here it is used as a syllable.

    Hara Hara !!

    The opening of my consciousness to higher planes happens with 5 Letters only - without OM. Breath joins with Mantra ,for me, only if i stick to 5 Letters without OM. Shuddha Panchakshara(without OM) has worked wonders (and is working) for me, even on the physical level.

    But i read in all Sanskrit books that Panchakshara is to be repeated with Pranava only. I wondered. Hence i started this thread hoping to get more light from advanced SAdhaks.

    @yajvan, I quite did not undertand your Statement. Pls explain.

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