Sacred Shiva Mantras

1. Om Tryambakam Yajamahe

Tryambakam yajamahe meaning: “We worship the three-eyed One (Lord Shiva),”

• Tryambakam Meaning- Tryambakam is “the three-eyed one,” refers to the god Lord Shiva. The third eye represents the spirituality of wisdom as well as inner sight.

• Yajamahe is “we worship” or “we offer our devotion.”

2. Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam

“Who permeates and nourishes all beings and increases their well-being.”

• Sugandhim translate to “fragrant” or “spiritually aromatic,” which refers to the divine essence which spreads across the entire universe.

• Pushtivardhanam refers to “who nourishes and strengthens,” both spiritually and physically.

3. Urvarukamiva Bandhanan

“Like a cucumber from its stalk, may I be liberated from bondage (of death).”

• Urvarukamiva meaning– Urvarukamiva refers to “like a ripe cucumber” (which naturally splits away with the vine).

• Bandhanan signifies “from bondage,” signifying the bonds and suffering that exist in the physical world.

4. Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat

“Free me from the fear of death, but not from immortality (spiritual existence).”

• Mrityor refers to “from death.”

• Mukshiya means “liberate” or “free.”

• Maamritat means “not from immortality.” It refers to the desire to remain in divine love after escaping the cycles of rebirth and death.

Truth, Auspiciousness, Beauty

Satyam is the absolute eternal truth, the unity of all existence, our true Self of pure consciousness that includes and transcends all name and form, time, space and karma.

Shivam is what is supremely auspicious and fulfilling, in which there is complete peace and tranquility beyond all disturbance, sorrow and death.

Sundaram is ultimate beauty, bliss, happiness, contentment and delight, in which we find a Divine light and presence in all.  True Beauty is an inner consciousness of bliss (Ananda) where the mind reflects our radiant cosmic inner Being. Beauty unveils the dynamism of creativity, aligned with a higher mysticism, idealism, harmony and wisdom.

When our hearts, minds and expressions are in sync with the cosmic rhythms, we draw our awareness into the bliss and beauty of Mother Earth and Mother Nature extending into the unknowable Vast beyond. A contemplative heart lures the Divine into all our experiences from the ground to the sky.

Discovering Sundaram

Cultivate your ‘inner eye’ to see the saundarya or presence of beauty in everything in nature around you. Meditate outside in nature open to the sky and atmosphere. Awaken the innocent child within you to connect to the freedom of life’s Lila or Divine play beyond the constraints of the mind.

The Yogic perspective of ‘Beauty’ means Awakening Your Yoga Shakti, The Inner Power of Yoga, highlighting the feminine nature, energy and grace behind the universe. The key to this transformation rests in awakening an ‘Inner Beauty’ in whatever we do, as an expression of the Divine Ananda. Deeper Beauty reflects a rich inner experience of life well lived, where we learn to consecrate the sacred Shakti, awakening its intrinsic force as a continuous flow of divine grace into all that we do.

The transformative movement of time is the key player taking us into a sojourn in our deeper truth, where beauty and bliss endure within us beyond all outer appearances. Through accepting the movement of Nature, one realizes that beauty is not merely about one’s appearance through body or face. Beauty manifests in one’s spirit through our expression, thoughts, temperament and kindness – our behavior overall and how we relate to others.

Beauty and Time

Human life follows the rhythms and cycles of nature through the days, months, seasons and stages of our lives, each which has its own place, beauty and wisdom.  Birth, growth, decay and death are part of  a mystical process where we are guided by our inner Being beyond time as measured by biological years. Beauty must light up the sparkle in our eyes, where humor rings through our laughter. We should not forget the beauty of the autumn leaves as we take our pilgrimage in the realm of time.

Why should we be embarrassed by our happiness in life? And if there is pain, shouldn’t we help heal it instead of camouflaging it? We can experience it with kindness as part of life, but move beyond it through life’s search for transcendence.

The gentle furrows between our eyebrows is a sign of character, where a deeper wisdom comes from thoughtful contemplation. Beauty turns our inner world into forays of intelligence from learning life’s many lessons, gentle or harsh. Being obsessed with looking youthful through artificial means only hurts our inner spirit. Being afraid of aging is like crushing the spirit of evolution. Our grandmothers held a depth in their characters, despite the age lines which marked their character of spirit.

The Eternal Presence

Natural beauty reflects one’s attitude in life, a sparkle of fire in one’s eyes, a gentle and kind temperament to all. As we age, our character reflects more and more on our faces, where love and kindness mark their luminosity and beauty, intimating a deeper wisdom born of intelligence and compassion, the wisdom of eternity, not the fear of time!

The movement of life constantly enriches our existence, empowering our thoughts, expressions and emotions to exude the  sweet bliss of its divine journey. So why should we hide behind the vagaries of the outer trappings which obscure our inner truth. Embrace aging as a beautiful expression of life’s mystical journey.

Look into the mirror and embrace your inner light behind your visible form, or else you will always look into the mirror with fear and anxiety and watch that calendar on the wall as determining the movement of your life.

We need to embrace our Svashakti, our own inner power of beauty and grace that pervades all that we see. Eternal youthfulness is resting in the eternal presence of Being in which every moment is ever new through all of nature. Our inner light can take us beyond death and sorrow, if we let it illuminate our inner Self.

The Devata of Beauty, Sundareshvara is Shiva Mahadeva and his consort Parvati as Sundareshvari. If we remember the Ananda that is Shiva and Shakti united within and around us, then Satyam and Shivam, Truth and Auspiciousness with always be with us.

1.1: (I meditate on Him) Who is the Lord of the Living Beings (Pashus), Who destroys our Sins, and Who is the Transcendental God,

1.2: Who wears the Hide of the best of Elephants, and Who is Himself the Best,

1.3: From Whose Matted Hairs is spurting out the holy Waters of the great River Ganga,

1.4: On that Mahadeva only (with one-pointed Mind) I Meditate, the One Who is the Enemy of Smara (Kamadeva, representing desires).

2.1: (I meditate on Him) Who is the Great Lord (Mahesha), Who is the Lord of the Devas (Suresha) and Who removes the Afflictions of the Devas,

2.2: Who is the All-Pervading Lord of the Universe (Vishwanatha) and Whose Body is adorned with Sacred Ashes (Vibhuti),

2.3: Whose Unique Eyes consists of the Triad of the Moon (Indu), Sun (Arka) and Fire (Vahni),

2.4: I Extol that Ever-Blissful Lord Who has Five Faces (Pancha Vaktra).

3.1: (I meditate on Him) Who is the Lord of the (Kailasha) Mountain (Girisha), Who is the Lord of the Celestial Attendants (Ganesha) and in Whose Throat is Blue-Colored (due to Poison),

3.2: Who is mounted on the king of Bulls (Nandi), and Whose Forms are innumerable,

3.3: Who is Existence Itself shining as the underlying Consciousness (Prakasha) (internally), and Whose Body is Adorned with Sacred Ashes (externally),

3.4: Who is the Consort of Devi Bhavani; I Worship that Lord with Five Faces (Pancha Vaktra).

4.1: O Shambhu (Giver of Happiness), the Beloved of Shivaa (Devi Parvati); O the One with the Half-Moon on His Head,

4.2: O the Great Master (Maheshana) holding the Trident (in His Hand) and bearing the Matted Hairs (on His Head),

4.3: You are the One Who pervades the entire Universe; And Whose Form is the Universe Itself (Vishwarupa),

4.4: Be Pleased with us, be Pleased with us, O Lord, Whose Form is the Fullness (of Consciousness); (Be Pleased with us and make us merge in Your Fullness).

5.1: (I meditate on Him) Who is the One Transcendental Consciousness which is the Primeval Seed of the Universe,

5.2: Who is without any Desire (Attaching Him to anything) (Niriha), Who is without any Form (Binding Him to anything) (Nirakara), and Who is known by meditating on the Omkara,

5.3: From Whom is Created the Universe, by Whom is Sustained the Universe,

5.4: I Worship that Lord, in Whom finally the whole Universe Merges.

6.1: Neither by Earth (Bhumi), nor by Water (Apah), neither by Fire (Vahni), nor by Wind (Vayu), ...

6.2: ... neither also by Space is His presence limited; Similarly neither by Lassitude (Tandra), nor by Sleep (Nidra) (can He be realized),

6.3: Neither by Summer (Grishma), nor by Winter (Shita) (is He constrained); Similarly neither by Place (Desha), nor by Dress (Vesha) (can He be restrained),

6.4: And nor of Whom there is an (exclusive) Image (Murti); I Extol that Trimurti (the Cosmic presence behind Creation, Sustenance and Dissolution).

Then Who is He? The next verse tells about that.

7.1: He is without Birth (i.e. He did not have a beginning) (Aja), He is Eternal (i.e. He is eternally existing) (Shasvata) and He is the Primal Cause behind all the Causes (Karana Karananam),

7.2: He is Auspicious (Shivaa), He is One (without a second) (Kevalam), He is the (internal) manifesting Light (of Consciousness) (Bhasaka) behind all the (external) manifesting Lights (of Appearances),

7.3: He is Turiya (Super-Conscious state), beyond all Ignorance, and without any Beginning and End,

7.4: I take Refuge in that Transcendental Purity, Who is beyond all Dualities.

8.1: Salutations to You, Salutations to You, O the All-Pervading One (Vibhu), Whose Form is the whole Universe (Vishwamurti),

8.2: Salutations to You, Salutations to You, O the One Who is the embodiment of the Bliss of Consciousness (Cidananda),

8.3: Salutations to You, Salutations to You, Who is attained by Tapas (Penance) and Yoga,

8.4: Salutations to You, Salutations to You, Who is attained by the Knowledge of the Shrutis (Vedas).

9.1: O Lord (Prabhu), O the One with Trident in His Hand (Shulapani), O the All-Pervading One (Vibhu), O the Lord of the Universe (Vishwanatha),

9.2: O the great God (Mahadeva), O the One Who causes Happiness to All (Shambhu), O the great Lord (Mahesha), the One with Three Eyes (Trinetra),

9.3: The Beloved of Devi Parvati (Shivaa Kanta), an embodiment of Peace (Shanta), the One Who was an Enemy of Kama (Smarari) and Tripura (Purari),

9.4: O Lord, Apart from You there is no Other (for me) to be Wished for, Venerated and Considered (for Worship).

10.1: O Shambhu, O Mahesha, O the Compassionate One (Karunamaya) with Trident in Hand (Shulapani),

10.2: O the Consort of Gauri (Gauripati), the Lord of All Beings (Pashupati) Who severe their Bondages (Pashupasha Nashi),

10.3: O the Lord of Kashi (Kashipati); By Your Compassion (and Will), this Universe, You alone ...

10.4: ... Destroy, Protect and Create, O You are the Maheshwara (the Great God).

11.1: From You the whole Universe comes into being, O Deva; Existence (Itself comes into being), O Smarari,

11.2: (And then) In You abides the whole Universe (after coming into being), O gracious Vishwanatha,

11.3: (Finally) In You goes this whole Universe during Dissolution (Laya), O Lord of this Universe,

11.4: You Who are of the nature of Linga (symbolized by Linga) (Lingatmaka), You Who take away Afflictions (Hara); You Who are of the form of the World with all its Moving and Non-Moving beings (Caracara Vishwarupin); I ever Meditate on You.

In this divine mantra, we call Lord Shiva by names like Mrityunjay, Ishaan, Pinakine, Trayambak, Har, Maheshwara. Lord Shiva is called Har because they take suffering from devotee's life. They called Maheshwara because they are great God, the God of gods, the controller of the universe.

Lord Shiva is God who stays in all animals. They are also called as "Pashupati" which show that they are Lord of all creatures. We are all animals or "Pashu" and our God is Lord Shiva who controls us, spreads mercy on us. They are Lord of all of us. We are atman or soul when Lord Shiva is Paramatma who is the greatest soul.

Oh Lord Shiva, you are the one who has conquered death and are responsible for destruction of the Universe to let life again prevail on earth. Oh lord, you are Neelkantha as you have a blue throat. We pay obeisance to you lord with are hands folded in namaskar.

Benefit : This Shiva Mantra has the power to dispel fear and boost a person’s inner potential and strength.

Ode to the Supreme One to cleanse the body, mind and soul of all the stress, rejection, failure, depression and other negative forces that one faces.

Benefit : Divine vibrations that are generated during the chanting of this mantra ward off all the negative and evil forces and create a powerful protective shield against diseases, sorrows, fears etc.

1: Pure White like Camphor, an Incarnation of Compassion,

2: The Essence of Worldly Existence, Whose Garland is the King of Serpents,

3: Always Dwelling inside the Lotus of the Heart.

4: I Bow to Shiva and Shakti Together.

I bow to Shiva. Shiva is the supreme reality, the inner Self. It is the name given to consciousness that dwells in all.

1.1: Neither am I the Mind, nor the Intelligence or Ego,

1.2: Neither am I the organs of Hearing (Ears), nor that of Tasting (Tongue), Smelling (Nose) or Seeing (Eyes),

1.3: Neither am I the Sky, nor the Earth, Neither the Fire nor the Air,

1.4: I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness; I am Shiva, I am Shiva,

The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.

2.1: Neither am I the Vital Breath, nor the Five Vital Airs,

2.2: Neither am I the Seven Ingredients (of the Body), nor the Five Sheaths (of the Body),

2.3: Neither am I the organ of Speech, nor the organs for Holding ( Hand ), Movement ( Feet ) or Excretion,

2.4: I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness; I am Shiva, I am Shiva,

The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.

3.1: Neither do I have Hatred, nor Attachment, Neither Greed nor Infatuation,

3.2: Neither do I have Pride, nor Feelings of Envy and Jealousy,

3.3 I am Not within the bounds of Dharma (Righteousness), Artha (Wealth), Kama (Desire) and Moksha (Liberation) (the four Purusarthas of life),

3.4: I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness; I am Shiva, I am Shiva,

The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.

4.1: Neither am I bound by Merits nor Sins, neither by Worldly Joys nor by Sorrows,

4.2: Neither am I bound by Sacred Hymns nor by Sacred Places, neither by Sacred Scriptures nor by Sacrifies,

4.3: I am Neither Enjoyment (Experience), nor an object to be Enjoyed (Experienced), nor the Enjoyer (Experiencer),

4.4: I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness; I am Shiva, I am Shiva,

The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.

5.1: Neither am I bound by Death and its Fear, nor by the rules of Caste and its Distinctions,

5.2: Neither do I have Father and Mother, nor do I have Birth,

5.3: Neither do I have Relations nor Friends, neither Spiritual Teacher nor Disciple,

5.4: I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness; I am Shiva, I am Shiva,

The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.

6.1: I am Without any Variation, and Without any Form,

6.2: I am Present Everywhere as the underlying Substratum of everything, and behind all Sense Organs,

6.3: Neither do I get Attached to anything, nor get Freed from anything,

6.4: I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness; I am Shiva, I am Shiva,

The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.

Om: A sacred syllable representing the cosmic sound of creation and the ultimate reality in Hinduism. 

Namah: "Salutations" or "I bow down". 

Parvati Pataye: "To the husband of Parvati". 

Har Har Mahadev: "All glories to Lord Shiva" or "Hail Lord Shiva".