Pancakshari
Panchaksari or Panchashari (Sanskrit: पञ्चाक्षरी pañcākṣarī) literally means five (pancha) syllabled (akshara) and refers to any mantra which contains five syllables. These five syllables represent the pancha tattva (five elements) that are the basis of all creation.
Tattva Mantra[edit]
The pancha tattva mantra are for the panca tattva devatā and take the form of ॐ (OM) + Name of devatā + नमः (namaḥ). These mantra are called षडाक्षरी (ṣaḍākṣarī) as they contain six syllables. However, in mantra japa, the monosyllable ॐ (OM) is recited mentally when inhaling and the remaining five syllables are recited verbally making them pañcākṣarī mantra. For example, the mantra ॐ विष्णवे नमः (om viṣṇave namaḥ) is a ṣaḍākṣarī mantra. But when we practise tattva mantra japa, the first syllable ॐ (OM) is recited mentally while taking a long breath and then the remaining five syllables विष्णवे नमः (viṣṇave namaḥ) are recited verbally. This latter part is the pañcākṣarī mantra. The pañcākṣarī mantra can also be recited without the monosyllable ॐ (OM) to increase the vibration intensity.
Table: Pancha-tattva mantra
| Tattva | ṣaḍākṣarī | transliteration | pañcākṣarī | transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ākāśa | ॐ विष्णवे नमः | om viṣṇave namaḥ | विष्णवे नमः | viṣṇave namaḥ |
| Vāyu | ॐ शिवाय नमः | om śivāya namaḥ | शिवाय नमः | śivāya namaḥ |
| Jala | ॐ दुर्गायै नमः | om durgāyai namaḥ | दुर्गायै नमः | durgāyai namaḥ |
| Agni | ॐ सूर्याय नमः | om sūryāya namaḥ | सूर्याय नमः | sūryāya namaḥ |
| Pṛthvi | ॐ गणाय नमः | om gaṇāya namaḥ | गणाय नमः | gaṇāya namaḥ |
Prasiddha Mantra[edit]
It is often used in Hindu mantras like Om Namah Shivaya नमः शिवाय namaḥ śivāya
Understanding Mantra[edit]
Swami Parmarthananda-ji teaches[1] Among the 14 sciences (four Vedas, Six Vedangas, Puranas, Dharmashastras, Mimamsa and nyaya), the Vedas are considered to be the greatest science. And in the Vedas, the 11 sections of Sri Rudram is considered to be the most sacred. Sri Rudram occurs in Krishna Yajur Veda. There are seven chapters in this Veda and Sri Rudram occurs in the fourth or middle chapter. So if Krishna Yajur Veda is like a garland, Sri Rudram is like a pendant in the middle. There are two important and well known Mantras in Sri Rudram. Panchakshari Mantra and Mrithunjaya Mantra.The essence of this mantra can be found in the middle portion - namasivaya, i.e., Siva. (In fact, Siva occurs not only in the middle of Panchakshari mantra but also in the middle of Sri Rudram itself). 'Nama' means salutations. 'Siva' means auspiciousness. Siva, the name is considered to be the most auspicious. The meaning of the mantra is - 'The one who eliminates all in-auspiciousness, to that auspicious one, I offer my prostrations'. Chanting the Panchakshari mantra gives many benefits.
The Panchakshari mantra is also known as sharana-gati mantra. Sharana-gati means surrender. We surrender to the Lord. This means we surrender to the order of the law of the Lord - the universal law of dharma and the universal law of karma. Every time we chant namasivaya, we surrender to the law of karma meaning whatever happens in our lives will take place according to the law of karma alone. So we must never refuse or resist to accept karma phalam or the fruit or result of our actions. Whatever happens in our lives is Siva prasadam or Iswara prasadam. Vibudhi is not to be looked upon as useless ash and pongal is not to be looked at with relish. We must accept both with the same attitude - that it is Iswara prasadam. There must be no dwesha (hatred, aversion) towards vibudhi and no raga (liking, attachment)) towards pongal. We welcome everything we encounter in life.
Welcoming experiences in one thing. Accommodating experiences is another thing, particularly with respect to family. We must accept our family members—husband, wife, children, etc. -- as they are. If our child is slow or dull or retarded, we accept it as Iswara prasadam. The acceptance of everything as karma phalam is saranagati. The result is shanti or peace.
References[edit]
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