The author outlines the value of Shri Shiva Panchakshara Mantra for Perfect Harmony.  

"AUM Namah Shivaya" is the most holy mantra for worshipping Lord Shiva, the Paramathma Para-Brahman. Lord Shiva is the supreme almighty, controller of the cosmic projection (Maya) and responsible for the creation, sustenance and assimilation of all universe through the manifestations of the trinities Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra. "AUM Namah Shivaya" is the maha-mantra (the greatest mantra) devoted to Lord Shiva and it is known as "Sri Shiva Panchakshara Maha Mantra" (Pancha - five, Akshara - letters). The entire Shiva-Agamam is based on this maha-mantra.

Even the Vedas are centred around this maha-mantra. Of the primary three Vedas (Rik, Yajur and Sama), Yajur Veda is in the centre. At the heart of Yajur Veda is Sri Rudram (in the 4th of the seven chapters in Yajur Thaithria Samhitai). At the very centre of Sri Rudram (5th prachna), in the section beginning with "Somaya cha .. Rudraya cha", the maha-mantra 'Namah Shivaya' shines like the Sun. Again, the two aksharas "Shiva" are in the heart of the text. The great sage Sri Kanchi Paramacharya Swamigal has cited the slokam by Sri Appaiya Dikshitar who identifies the "Shiva" in the middle of Veda as "Jeeva Rathna" (Jewel of the soul).

Such is the significance of this maha-mantra. By constantly hearing (sravanam), reflecting (mananam) and meditating (niddhyasanam) the Shiva Panchakshara maha-mantra, we can reach the total absorption in the bliss (samadhi) for attaining perfection in all aspect of our life and eventually reaching the Godhood. Upanishads teach several disciplines for such sacred salvation. Of these, the most simplest is the "mantra japa" or reciting the maha-mantra.

"Mananat-trayate iti Mantra" - By constant thinking (manana) of which one attains the desired status or attains liberation (mukthi) is called the "mantra". The first syllable 'man' comes from 'manana' meaning 'to think' and the second syllable 'tra' refers to 'trai' meaning 'to protect or to liberate'. All mantras are the words of God and by proper application of these mantras, all of us can accomplish our rightful desires. These mantras, when pronounced correctly radiate powerful sound energy. Sound is the basic building blocks for everything in the universe and through appropriate modulation of sound anything is created or modified. Scientists claim that different sounds influence the environment differently. Inter-galactic search and communication are through radio waves which are highly modulated form of sound energy. Even in our daily life, we see how much our moods change when we hear loud blistering noise or cherish organised melody. The Veda mantras are the construct of heavenly hands; in particular, the seers (risis) have discovered several japa mantras (mantras for meditation). These mantras originate from sacred seed letters (bija-akshara). Though bija-akshara and bija-mantras are simple in their layouts and quite ordinary in their lexical arrangements, they contain significant inner meaning and their resonance radiate energy.

To the Panchakshara "Namah Shivaya', the greatest of all bija-aksharas, 'AUM' is added. AUM symbolises the Para-Brahman. The three interconnected letters A, U and M represent the waking (jagrat), dream (swapna) and the deep sleep (sushupti) states of the individual souls as well as the respective state of the cosmic soul (virat, hiranyagarbha and isvara). AUM as it is pronounced ordinarily, is an outward gross form of the real subtle inaudible state of sound, denoting the fourth transcendental state (thuriya or Amrta). It is not possible to contain the meanings and significance of AUM in a short essay like this.

In 'Namah Shivaya', the first letter 'Na' represents the concealing grace of Lord Shiva, 'Ma' is the material world, 'Shi' represents 'Shiva', 'Va' represents the revealing grace of Lord Shiva and 'Ya' is the yearning soul. Bhagavan Adi Sankara as well as other great saints equate the panchaksharas with many other five fold cosmic energies and concepts. The five elements namely space (akash), air (vayu), fire (agni), water (appu) and earth (pritvi) are also contained in 'Namah Shivaya'. Vedanta analyses the non-self into five kosas or sheaths, namely the gross physical sheath (annamayakosa), the sheath of vital force (pranamayakosa), the sheath of mind (manomayakosa), the sheath of intellect (vijnamayakosa) and the sheath of bliss (anandamayakosa). These are called sheaths because, like sheaths, they conceal the Atman, which is the manifestation of Lord Shiva Himself in all the souls. The Panchakshara maha mantra 'Namah Shivaya' breaks these five sheaths and reveal the Atman (Atma Darshan). This is the true liberation (mukti). AUM Namah Shivaya is also a "kavacha" mantra or a kind of armour that protect us from bad karma or deeds. By constantly meditating the mantra, we can protect our earthly life from all misfortunes and attain reverence and purity in all aspects.

Courtesy: UK South Indian Society's Deepavali Souvenir