A very rough, non-literal translation could be something like, ‘Om and salutations to that which I am capable of becoming.’ This mantra will start one out on the path of subtle development of spiritual attainments. Notice that this does not refer to the chakras themselves which have a different set of seed sounds, but rather, the principles which govern those chakras in their place. The sounds relate directly to the principles which govern each of the first five chakras on the spine…Earth, water, fire, air, ether. In his book The Ancient Power of Sanskrit Mantra and Ceremony, Thomas Ashley-Farrand writes, Mantra is life, mantra is action, mantra is love the repetition of mantra, japa, bursts forth wisdom from within. Hindus believe that intoning the mantra in sitting meditation can “salvage the bound soul.” According to traditional Hindu wisdom, Om Namah Shivaya is considered a particularly powerful mantra. Other explanations of the syllables include references to the five elements (earth, water, fire, and air) and the five chakras. “Śi” is a reference to Lord Siva himself, and “Vā” represents his “revealing grace.” Finally, the syllable “Ya” stands for the soul. “Na” is Lord Siva’s “concealing grace ” “Ma” refers to the world. Om, of course, is believed to be the mystical sound at the heart of the universe. Śiva was actually an adjective prior to becoming a proper name it meant “auspicious,” or “friendly.” The mantra is from a prayer in the Sri Rudram Chamakam it addresses the deity Rudra, calling him “benign.” Later, Rudra would gradually become known as Shiva.Įach syllable of this mantra is filled with meaning. It translates roughly from Sanskrit into English as “Adoration to Shiva,” Shiva being the most exalted deity in the Hindu pantheon. Śivāya ॐ नमः शिवाय, or “Om Namah Shivaya,” is perhaps the most popular mantra in the Hindu tradition.
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