Om Namah Shivaye : A Call To The Divine Dwelling Within

Orange Network Foundation
Mar 11, 2016
3 min read

What does Om Namah Shivaye mean?

In simple terms, this mantra means ‘I bow to Shiva’. However, when we explore at a deeper level, the meaning of this mantra unravels in a thought-provoking manner. ‘Namah’ used in middle means “I am not ego” but only Shiva. In self-realisation, it means: I am none other than Shiva.

Furthermore, Namah in simple words refers to salutation or worshipping. But when you break the word Namaha into Na and Maha, it denotes “not mine”. In simple words, I am not mine. I am submissive to the Lord; I belong to the Lord (Shiva). Nothing is mine. I am in Shiva and Shiva is in me.

Going deeper, this mystical mantra puts forth its complex composition. It is a panchaskara mantra, excluding OM, composed of five cosmic syllables: na – mah – shi – vaa – ya. These five cosmic vowels are the seed reverberations of the Five Elements of—Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether. Every phenomenal material element like human body, mountains, tree etc. is made of these Five Elements.

By chanting Om Namah Shivaye in meditation in a calm place, the worshipper experiences peace, spiritual bliss and all the impurities fading away.

At higher stage attained by regular chanting over a period of time, when all the misgivings, sins, guilt are rooted out, the worshipper feels he is the inseparable element of Shiva, the Purest Consciousness.

To understand the true nature of Shiva or your Soul consciousness, let us revisit the beautiful Nirvana Shatakam composed by Adi Sankaracharya.

Mano buddhi ahankara chittani naahamna cha shrotravjihve na cha ghraana netrena cha vyoma bhumir na tejo na vaayuhuchidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham

I am not the mind, the intellect, the ego or the memory,I am not the ears, the skin, the nose or the eyes,I am not space, not earth, not fire, water or wind,I am the form of consciousness and bliss,I am the eternal Shiva…

Na cha prana sangyo na vai pancha vayuhuna va sapta dhatur na va pancha koshahna vak pani-padam na chopastha payuchidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham

I am not the breath, nor the five elements,I am not matter, nor the 5 sheaths of consciousnessNor am I the speech, the hands, or the feet,I am the form of consciousness and bliss,I am the eternal Shiva…

Na me dvesha ragau na me lobha mohauna me vai mado naiva matsarya bhavahana dharmo na chartho na kamo na mokshahachidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham

There is no like or dislike in me, no greed or delusion,I know not pride or jealousy,I have no duty, no desire for wealth, lust or liberation,I am the form of consciousness and bliss,I am the eternal Shiva…

Na punyam na papam na saukhyam na duhkhamna mantro na tirtham na veda na yajnahaham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhoktachidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham

No virtue or vice, no pleasure or pain,I need no mantras, no pilgrimage, no scriptures or rituals,I am not the experienced, nor the experience itself,I am the form of consciousness and bliss,I am the eternal Shiva…

Na me mrtyu shanka na mejati bhedahapita naiva me naiva mataa na janmahaNa bandhur na mitram gurur naiva shishyahachidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham

I have no fear of death, no caste or creed,I have no father, no mother, for I was never born,I am not a relative, nor a friend, nor a teacher nor a student,I am the form of consciousness and bliss,I am the eternal Shiva…

Aham nirvikalpo nirakara rupovibhut vatcha sarvatra sarvendriyanamna cha sangatham naiva muktir na meyahachidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham

I am devoid of duality, my form is formlessness,I exist everywhere, pervading all senses,I am neither attached, neither free nor captive,I am the form of consciousness and bliss,I am the eternal Shiva…