Word

Siva Panchakshari mantra

Sanskrit

शिव पञ्चाक्षरी मन्त्र

IAST

śiva pañcākṣarī mantra

In General

The five lettered mantra, Om Namah Sivaya or the Shiv Panchakshari Mantra is from Taitiriya Samhita (4.5.8.11). The entire 5th prapataka of Kanda 4 is a salutation to Rudra and is called Shatarudriya or Rudra Namaka. The mantra Nama Sivaya is from this Prapataka

Veda

Rudra begins his work upon earth and give effect to the sacrifice on the five planes of our spiritual development. He is the violent one who leads the upward evolution of the conscious being; his force battles against all evil, smites the sinner and the enemy. He is supreme healer; he heals all wounds and suffering. The force that battles is his gift, but also the final peace and joy.

The verse (8.11) is, “Nama Sivaya ca Sivataraya ca” is translated by Prof. R L Kashyapa as: Salutation to the Auspicious one and to the more auspicious.

Purana

Om Namah Sivaya consists of the five letters Na,Ma,Shi,Va,Ya, or in Sanskrit “न” “म” “शि” “व” “य” and is called Shiv Panchakshari Mantra . These are the five holy letters which are most important while worshiping Siva. Na is the Lord's concealing grace, Ma is the world, Si stands for Sivam (auspiciousness), Va is His revealing grace, Ya is the soul. Shiv Panchakshari Mantra is also taken as derived from Panchabhuta Tatwa, the five seeds of the aforesaid natural elements. Na Consecrates Prithvi Tatva(Earth as matter), Ma does the same with Jal Tatva (Water factor), Shi stands for Agni Tatva (Fire element), Va stands for Vayu Tatva (Air factor) and finally, Ya stands for Akash Tatva (Sky element). Meaning of the word is: salutation to the Auspicious One or the Auspicious One exist in me.( Siva Maha Purana)