The five-syllable (panchakshara) mantra of Shiva — the heart of Shaiva practice, chanted in japa, during abhisheka, and throughout Maha Shivaratri night.
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Panchakshara Mantra
ॐ नमः शिवाय ॥
om namah shivaya
oṃ namaḥ śivāya
Om — salutations to Shiva, the auspicious one. The five sacred syllables that hold the whole of Shaiva devotion.
Kshama Prarthana (closing of Shiva worship)
करचरणकृतं वाक्कायजं कर्मजं वा
श्रवणनयनजं वा मानसं वापराधम् ।
विहितमविहितं वा सर्वमेतत्क्षमस्व
जय जय करुणाब्धे श्रीमहादेव शम्भो ॥
kara-carana-kritam vak-kayajam karmajam va
shravana-nayanajam va manasam vaparadham
vihitam avihitam va sarvam etat kshamasva
jaya jaya karunabdhe shri-mahadeva shambho
Whatever wrongs I have done — with hands or feet, speech or body, through deeds, hearing, sight or mind, knowingly or unknowingly — forgive it all. Victory, victory to you, ocean of compassion, great god Shambhu! (Traditionally recited at the close of Shiva worship.)
When it is recited: Daily japa (often 108 times), Mondays, Pradosh vrat, the month of Shravan and all night on Maha Shivaratri. Recited during rudrabhisheka with each offering.
Traditional significance: The five syllables na-ma-śi-vā-ya are traditionally linked to the five elements — earth, water, fire, air and space — so the mantra salutes Shiva as the ground of all creation. With Om it becomes the six-syllable form; both are used, with or without initiation, across every Shaiva tradition.
Questions
Should I chant “namaḥ śivāya” or “oṃ namaḥ śivāya”?
Both are traditional. The five-syllable form (namaḥ śivāya) is the Vedic panchakshara from Shri Rudram; prefixing Om makes the shadakshara (six-syllable) form used most widely in japa today. Follow your family or guru practice.
How many times is it chanted?
Commonly 108 times with a rudraksha mala, morning or evening. On Maha Shivaratri and Mondays of Shravan, devotees chant it continuously through the vigil.
Source: Shri Rudram (Yajur Veda) — namaḥ śivāya occurs in Rudram 8.1. Regional versions may vary — this text follows the version most widely used in community worship.