Om Namah Shivayah
Om Namah Shivaya is a popular Hindu mantra and the most important mantra in Shaivism. It is called Siva Panchakshara, or Shiva Panchakshara or simply Panchakshara meaning the “five-syllable” mantra (viz., excluding the Om) and is dedicated to Shiva 1. The five syllables of this mantra represent the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether 12. The following table illustrates the correspondence between the syllables and the elements:
| Syllable | Element |
|---|---|
| Na | Earth |
| Ma | Water |
| Śi | Fire |
| Vā | Air |
| Ya | Ether |
Thus, chanting this mantra is believed to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva and help one attain spiritual growth 1.