The Yajurveda, a tatpurusa compound of yajus 'sacrificial formula' and veda 'knowledge') is one of the four canonical texts of Hinduism, the Vedas.
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Om Namah Shivaya in Devanagari script
Om Namah Shivaya audio
Namah Shivaya mantra (in Devanagari and Latin script) as it appeared in Shri Rudram Hymn and Rudrashtadhyayi
Om Namah Shivaya (Devanagari: ॠनमठशिवाय;[1]IAST: Om Namaḥ ÅivÄya) is one of the most popular HinduMantra and the most important mantra in Shaivism. Namah Shivaya means 'O salutations to the auspicious one!', or âadoration to Lord Shiva'. It is called Siva Panchakshara, or Shiva Panchakshara or simply Panchakshara meaning the 'five-syllable' mantra (viz., excluding the Om) and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a holy salutation to Lord Shiva. This Mantra appears as 'Na' 'Ma' 'Åi' 'VÄ' and 'Ya' in the Shri Rudram hymn which is a part of the Krishna Yajurveda[2] and also in the Rudrashtadhyayi which is a part of the Shukla Yajurveda.
Om namah Shivaya in Panchakshara form
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Origin of the mantra[edit]
This mantra is present in the Shri Rudram hymn which is part of the Krishna Yajurveda.[3][4]Shri Rudram hymn is taken from two chapters in fourth book of Taittiriya Samhita (TS 4.5, 4.7) of Krishna Yajurveda. Each chapter consist of eleven anuvaka or hymns.[5] Name of both chapters are Namakam (chapter five) and Chamakam (chapter seven) respectively.[6] Om Namah Shivaya mantra appears without OM in eighth hymn of Namakam(TS 4.5.8.1) as Namah shivaya ca shivataraya (Sanskrit: नमठशिवाय ठशिवतराय à¤; IAST: Namaḥ ÅivÄya ca ÅivatarÄya ca). It means 'Salutations unto Åiva the auspicious one, unto Åivatara the one than whom none more auspicious can exist'.[7][8][9][10][11]
This mantra also appears in the Rudrashtadhyayi which is a part of the Shukla Yajurveda. In the Rudrashtadhyayi, the mantra appears in the 5th chapter (also known as Namakam) verse 41 as Namah shivaya ca shivataraya (Sanskrit: नमठशिवाय ठशिवतराय à¤).[12][13][14]
Translations among different traditions[edit]
Namah Shivaya means 'O salutations to the auspicious one!', or âadoration to Lord Shiva' preceded by the devotional syllable 'Om'.
In Siddha Shaivism and Shaiva Siddhanta Shaivism traditions, Namah Shivaya is considered as Pancha Bodha Tatva of Lord Shiva and his universal oneness of five elements:
- Na sound represents earth
- Ma sound represents water
- Åi sound represents fire
- VÄ sound represents Pranic air
- Ya sound represents sky or ether
![Pdf Pdf](/uploads/1/2/4/8/124845725/790443812.jpg)
Its total meaning is that 'universal consciousness is one' .
In the Shaiva Siddhanta Shaivism tradition the five letters also represents :
- Na is the Lordâs concealing grace
- Ma is the world
- Åi stands for Shiva
- VÄ is His revealing grace
- Ya is the Ätman or soul[15]
The Tirumantiram (a scripture in Shaiva Siddhanta Shaivism) announces, âHis feet are the letter Na. His navel is the letter Ma. His shoulders are the letter Åi. His mouth, the letter VÄ. His radiant cranial center aloft is Ya. Thus is the five-lettered form of Shiva.â: Tirumantiram 941. TM[16][17]
Presence of mantra in different scriptures[edit]
- This Mantra appears as 'Na' 'Ma' 'Åi' 'VÄ' and 'Ya' in the Shri Rudram hymn which is a part of the Krishna Yajurveda. Thus predates the use of Shiva as a proper name, in the original context being an address to Lord Rudra (later Shiva), where Shiva retains its original meaning as an adjective, meaning 'auspicious, benign, friendly', a euphemistic epithet of Rudra.[15]
- This mantra also appears in the Rudrashtadhyayi which is a part of the Shukla Yajurveda.[18]
- Whole Panchakshara Stotra is dedicated to this mantra.[19][20]
- Tirumantiram, a scripture written in Tamil language, speaks of the meaning of the mantra.[21]
- It also appears in the Shiva Purana in the chapter 1.2.10 (Shabda-Brahma Tanu) and in its Vidyeshvara samhita and in chapter 13 of the Vayaviya samhita of the Shiva Purana as 'Om Namaha Shivaya'.
- The Tamil Saivaite hymn Tiruvacakam begins with the five letters 'Na' 'Ma' 'Åi' 'VÄ' and 'Ya'.
Usage[edit]
Traditional 108+1 Rudraksha mala used for chanting Om Namah Shivaya Mantra
This mantra is repeated verbally or mentally, drawing the mind in upon itself to Lord Shivaâs infinite, all-pervasive presence. Traditionally it is repeated 108 times a day while keeping count on a strand of rudraksha beads. This practice is called japa yoga. It is freely sung and chanted by everyone, but it is most powerful when given by oneâs guru. Before this initiation which is called mantra diksha, the guru will usually require a period of study. This initiation is often part of a temple ritual, such as a puja, japa, homa (fire ceremony), dhyana or and while smearing vibhuti. The guru whispers the mantra into the discipleâs right ear, along with instructions on how and when to chant it.[15]
Intended effect[edit]
This mantra is associated with qualities of prayer, divine-love, grace, truth, and blissfulness. When done correctly, it calms the mind and brings spiritual insight and knowledge. It also keeps the devotee close to Shiva and within His protective global fellowship.
Traditionally, it is accepted to be a powerful healing mantra beneficial for all physical and mental ailments. Soulful recitation of this mantra brings peace to the heart and joy to the Ätman or soul. Many Hindu teachers consider that the recitation of these syllables is sound therapy for the body and nectar for the Ätman.[22] The nature of the mantra is the calling upon the higher self; it is the calling upon Shiva.
In popular culture[edit]
Television[edit]
Om Namah Shivay was also a TV serial telecasted on an Indian TV Channel, DD National (DD-1).
In season 8, episode 2 of Family Guy (episode titled 'Family Goy'), Meg chants Om Namah Shivaya several times, after Stewie pulls her heart out.
Movie[edit]
These words were chanted by a prisoner as his heart was ripped out by Mola Ram in the 1984 George Lucas and Steven Spielberg film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
In Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia (2007), Elizabeth Gilbert explained that the first chant provided by her guru was 'Om Namah Shivaya.'[23] Gilbert wrote that this meant 'I honor the divinity within me.'[24]
Game[edit]
These words are chanted by characters Yogi & Reggie as in the 2014 video game Far Cry 4 as the protagonist experiments with their psychedelic concoctions; the fictional religion in the game is loosely based on Hinduism, thus the chant.
Music lyrics[edit]
'Om Namah Shivaya' is also featured in the 'Mahadeva' tune by Astral Projection, a popular psychedelic trance band.
'Om Namah Shivaya' is also featured in the 'Serpente' (Serpent, snake) song in the SETEVIDAS (SEVENLIVES) album (Deckdisc, 2014) by the Brazilian singer Pitty, the princess of rock in Brazil.
Guitarist Steve Hillage also recorded a psychedelic rock version of the song on his 1976 album L, produced by Todd Rundgren.
Om Namah Shivay is the tenth album (and eighth solo album) by Nina Hagen, released in 1999.
'Om Namah Shiva' is found in Jah Wobble's Heaven and Earth album.
'Om Namah Shivaya' is found in MC Yogi's Elephant Power album.
'Om Namaha Shiva' is found on Shiela Chandra's Weaving My Ancestors' Voices album.
'Om Namah Shivaya' Peace offering is found on Apache Indian's Best of Apache Indian 2000 album.
'Om Namah Shivaya' is found on Album Vairagya: Bonding with Beyond by Isha Sounds.
'Om Namah Shivayaâ is found on the album âOm Namah Shivah' by Robert Gass & On Wings of Song, and is a 43 minute version of the mantra.
'Om Namah Shivaya' is the chorus in 'Song for Zane', found on the EP 'On the One' by Mike Lindup, released on 17 March 2011.
'Om Namah Shivaya' is chanted in the outro of 'Loose Your Mind' on the album 'Ready or Not' by Wookiefoot, released in 2012.
'Om Namah Shivaya' is found throughout the album 'Invocation' by Various Artists, released in 2006.[25]
'Namah Shivaya' is the first track on the 'Krishna Das' album 'Pilgrim Heart.'
'Om Namah Shivaya' is used by Shpongle in the track 'Juggling Molecules', from their 'Museum of Consciousness' album.
Contemporary developments[edit]
Om Namah Shivaya has gained wider use outside India as a result of Siddha Yoga, founded by Swami Muktananda, in which it is the main mantra used for meditation and chanting.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^'OM namah Shivaya in russian'.
- ^Satguru Bodhinatha, Veylanswami (2017). What Is the Namaḥ ÅivÄya Mantra? from the 'Path to Siva' Book. USA: Himalayan Academy. pp. chapter 16. ISBN9781934145722.
- ^'ÅrÄ« Rudram'(PDF). sec. Introduction.
- ^'Introduction to 'Rudram''. sec. What is Rudram ?.
- ^'Sri Rudram'. sec. Introduction.
- ^'Sri Rudram'.
- ^'Rudram'(PDF). vedaunion. p. anuvaka 8 of Namakam at page-22.
- ^'sri rudram exposition (search for 'namaḥ ÅivÄya ca ÅivatarÄya ca' in the PDF on page 3)'(PDF). vedaunion.org. p. 3.
- ^'sri-rudram'(PDF). skandagurunatha.org. p. 4.
- ^'Sri Rudram - Introduction'.
- ^'which verse of sri rudram of yajurveda has word shiva (search as 'Most importantly 1st verse of 8th Anuvaka mentions the word Shiva as')'. hinduism.stackexchange.com.
- ^'RUDRASTADHYAYI'. www.archive.org.
- ^'Introduction to rudrashtadhyayi'. www.shreemaa.org.
- ^'RUDRASTADHYAYI'.
- ^ abcVeylanswami, Bodhinatha (2016). 'What Is the Namaḥ ÅivÄya Mantra?'. Path to Siva. Himalayan academy. p. 16. ISBN9781934145739.
- ^Dancing with Siva. Himalayan Academy. 1997. ISBN9780945497479.
- ^Dancing with Siva. Scriptural Verses, Maá¹á¸ala 28: Affirmations of Faith,403 Tirumantiram 941. TM: Himalayan Academy. 1997. ISBN9780945497479.
- ^'rudrashtadhyayi'. p. Check first verse's second line. There you can see namah shivaya written in Sanskrit.
- ^'Pachakshara stotram'.
- ^'shiva panchakshara stotra'.
- ^'Dancing with Siva'.
- ^http://www.yogavidya.com/Yoga/ShivaSamhita.pdf
- ^Elizabeth Gilbert (2007). Eat, Pray, Love. p. 133.
- ^'Other Prayers: Aum Namah Shivaya Mantra'. www.AradiaGoddess.com. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
- ^http://www.tyburhoe.com/shop/ptmtug2trh30rjel5yfsd9mac1uyys
External links[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Om_Namah_Shivaya&oldid=897449634'
Vedas are four in number,
They are Rig, Yajur Sama and Atharva,
Of these Yajur Veda has two distinctly different versions.
One is Krishna Yajur and the other is Shukla Yajur.
Why this difference?
Sage Yajnyavalkya was studying under a Guru ,Vaisampayana.
The Gurus, including Vaisampayana used meet regularly.
On one such occasion, Vaisampayan was indisposed and could not attend the meet.
Therefore, he nominated one of his Sishyas,(pupil )to attend the meeting.
Miffed at not being chosen to represent the Guru at the meet, Yajnyavalkya remonstrated with the Guru, Vaisampayana, questioning the Guru and accused him of favoritism.
In Vedic tradition no one disputes the Guru.
Vaisampayana ,therefore asked Yajnavalkya to return the Vedas taught by him, as Yajnyavalkya committed the cardinal sin of questioning the Guru and asked him to leave.
Yajnavalkya vomited what he had learnt.
The Saá¹ská¹t name for partridge is âTittiriâ. As the Tittiri (partridge) birds ate this Veda, it is thenceforth called the TaittirÄ«ya Yajurveda. It is also known as Ká¹á¹£á¹a Yajurveda or Black-Yajurveda on account of it being a vomited substance. The TaittirÄ«ya Saá¹hitÄ thus belongs to this Yajurveda.
Sage Yajnavalkya performed penance to the Sun God, Adhiya, Suryaâ seeking the Vedas.
Surya,assuming the form of a Horse, taught him the Vedas direct .
![Shukla Yajurveda Audio Shukla Yajurveda Audio](http://kirtimukha.com/chinnamma/images/sloka71.gif)
This is Shukla Yajur Veda,
This is the version in the Sri Vishnu Purana.
The version by Shukla Yajur Vedins is as under.
â
The Vedas revealed by the Rsis have been compiled by the Great Rsi Veda Vyasa into four groups called Rg, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana Vedas. Each of the Vedas are normally grouped into Samhita (Prayers to Gods), Brahmana (Procedures for conducting Yaga) and Aranyaka (Upanisads which deals with discussion about Atman, Brahman etc). There are two divisions of Yajur Veda called Krishna (Black) Yajur Veda and Shukla (white or pure) Yajur Veda. In Krishna Yajur Veda the Samhita and Brahmana are not separate entities. The Brahmanas are found in between the Samhitas also whereas in Shukla Yajur Veda there is a clear distinction between Samhita and Brahmana. The Samhita consists mostly slokas or mantras in praise of various deities and the Brahmanas deal with the procedures to be adopted for doing the yagnas. The Aranyakas deal with methods to be adopted for spiritual elevation of man i.e. attaining the highest state of salvation that is Mukthi or Moksha after which there is no rebirth.
Shukla Yajur Veda was revealed to the sage Sri Yogeeswara Yagnavalkya (give hyper link) directly by Lord Surya. The details of how this Veda originally had been given to Sri Yogeeswara Yagnavalkya will be seen elsewhere in this site. Sri Shukla Yajur Veda originally had 15 Sakhas out of which only two Sakhas or branches, called Madyandina and Kanva Sakhas are available at present. Madyandina Saha is more prevalent in North India whereas Kanva Sakha is found mostly in South India. The book Charana Vuyha Tantram lists all the 15 Sakhas.
In both the Sakhas the Brahmana is called Sathapatha Brahmana. The name Sathapatha literally means hundred paths. In the Indian tradition the word âsataâ does not indicate the exact number of one hundred, sometimes it means anything near about one hundred. The Brahmanas are the earliest annotations of the hymns of Samhita and serve as manuals for the performance of Vedic Sacrifices involving the usage of hymns. In addition they also have some narratives and anecdotes to explain the significance of the statements in Samhita and their usages in particular contexts. Brahmanas thus enumerate the mental and physical activities in consonance with the righteousness to reveal the nature of dharma which will lead to other realizations by man like wealth (artha), enjoyment (kama) and attainment of self (moksha). The Samhitas and Brahmanas are considered as apaurusheya meaning not created by man but revealed to him by God. The Brahmanas elaborate the procedure to construct altars which involve very detailed geometry and also mentions a system of remembering the number of times a sacrifice is to be made. The numbers some time run to thousand and millions and hundred millions. It shows the highly evolved system of arithmetic and geometry during the Vedic period! This arithmetic and geometry has come handy in constructing the temples of gigantic proportions without any fault!(http://www.shuklayajurveda.org/srishuklayajurveda.html)
In Sanskrit Krishna means black and Shukla, White,
Those who follow Shukla Yajur have elaborate mantras as compared to those who follow Krishna Yajur.
The reason for elaborate mantras is that even if God imparts the Vedas direct, it comes as second best to what is taught by a Guru.
To compensate this deviation from the Vedic practices, additional mantras are provided in the Shukla Yajur Veda.
Those who follow Shukla Yajur are relatively less when compared to Krishna Yajur.
The Shukla Yajur mantras are also slightly different.
For Shukla Upakarma, follow these Links.
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