ॐ नमः शिवाय (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) is undoubtedly the most chanted Mantra in Hinduism. This mantra is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Let us try to understand what this mantra means, what it signifies & what are the benefits of chanting this mantra.
The utterance, the sound & syllables of this mantra ‘Na’ ‘Ma’ ‘Śi’ ‘Vā’ and ‘Ya’ has been mentioned in the Yajurveda in the Shri Rudram hymn.
Namah Shivaya represents “adoration (naman) to Lord Shiva”, preceded by the devotional syllable of “Om”. The syllable “Ya” at the end of the mantra denotes an offering. Thus, the mantra Om Namah Shivaya actually means “I offer to Shiva a respectful invocation of His Name”, and not merely “I respectfully invoke His Name”.
The mantra signifies prayer with divine-love, grace, truth, and blissfulness.
When you chant the mantra correctly, it can calm the mind and can bring spiritual insight and knowledge in your life. It is also accepted to be a powerful healing mantra with beneficial effects in all physical and mental ailments. When somebody recites this mantra soulfully, it brings peace to the heart and joy to the Ātma or soul. Many Hindu preachers vouch that the recitation of these healing syllables can be used as a sound therapy for the body and nectar for the ‘Ātma’ or the soul. The chanting of the mantra signifies the calling upon the higher self; it is the calling upon Shiva.
In today’s times, when the mankind is going through a number of stressful situations in daily life, there are many situations which activate the ‘fight or flight’ responses in mind and body. Many results are not in our control but we strive and expect to get the best possible results in everything we do. But, life 7 situations may not always take the course we expect & desire. By placing the faith in almighty, we learn to accept the outcomes in whatever form they are. Studies have proven that there is a drastic reduction in incidences of stress & anxiety when the subjects started believing that they are in control but there is a bigger control in the hands of the Almighty.
Stay informed, stay blessed & LiveLifeMore!
