ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivay
🕉️💜🙏🏻💜🕉️
The meaning of the Om Namah Shivay chant, word by word:
Om: Before the Universe, there was void of vibrations and pure existence
Out of the vibration came the sound of ‘Om’ and then the Universe was formed
Namah: To bow
Shivay: Shiva or inner self
In general ॐ नमः शिवाय means “I Bow down to Shiva”. In a way, it means bowing down to your own self as Shiva resides in all as own consciousness.
The mantra is composed of five syllables: na, ma, si, va, ya, each symbolizing one of the five elements of nature—earth, water, fire, air, and ether.
Shiva is said to have five key activities - creation, preservation, destruction, concealment, and revelation - and chanting the mantra helps align one's activities and senses to these purified activities of Shiva.
Chanting the mantra is believed to refine and purify the five elements or aspects of one's being: the strength of earth, the fluidity of water, the heat of fire, the gaseous nature of air, and the expansiveness of ether.
The mantra is considered a powerful tool for self-knowledge, inner exploration, and spiritual growth. It is seen as a way to connect with one's own divine nature, as represented by the figure of Shiva, and is regarded as one of the most famous and significant mantras in India.