What does Om Namah Shivaya mean?
Om Namah Shivaya means "I bow to Shiv ji." "Namah" means "I bow" and "Shivaya" means "to Shiva," whose name means "the kind and good one." It is one of the shortest and most loved mantras in Hindu tradition, and children can say it anytime to feel calm and close to God.
The mantra, word by word
ॐ नमः शिवाय
om namaḥ śivāya
| Word | Meaning for kids |
|---|---|
| Om | The first and most sacred sound, the sound of all creation |
| Namah | I bow, with love and respect |
| Shivaya | To Shiv ji, the kind and good one |
Without Om, the five syllables na-ma-śi-vā-ya are called the Panchakshara mantra, "the five-syllable mantra." Many families teach that the five syllables stand for the five elements: earth, water, fire, air and sky.
Where does Om Namah Shivaya come from?
The words namaḥ śivāya appear in the Shri Rudram, a hymn to Shiv ji in the Krishna Yajurveda (Taittiriya Samhita 4.5). The Shiva Purana praises the five-syllable mantra as the simplest way to remember Shiv ji, open to everyone.
Who is Shiv ji? A picture for children
Shiv ji lives on snowy Mount Kailash with Parvati Maa, Ganesh ji and Kartikeya ji. Children can spot him by:
- A crescent moon in his hair, and the river Ganga flowing from it.
- A third eye on his forehead.
- A trishul (trident) and a little damaru drum.
- A snake curled gently around his neck.
- A blue throat, which is why he is called Neelkanth.
- Nandi, the bull, who carries him.
Shiv ji is also called Bholenath, "the simple-hearted lord," because he is easy to please and loves everyone who calls him sincerely.
How to chant Om Namah Shivaya with your child
- Sit comfortably and close your eyes.
- Breathe in slowly. As you breathe out, say "Om Namah Shivaya" softly.
- Repeat 5 or 11 times for young children. Older children can try 108 times on a mala.
- Notice how you feel. Ask, "Do you feel calmer?"
It works beautifully at bedtime, before a test, or when a child is upset. Many families also chant it on Mondays, which are dedicated to Shiv ji, and on Mahashivratri.
Questions parents ask
Can children chant Om Namah Shivaya anytime? Yes. It is traditionally considered open to everyone, at any time, with no special rules. Saying it with love matters more than how many times.
Why is Shiv ji's throat blue? When the devas and asuras churned the ocean of milk, a terrible poison rose up that could have harmed the whole world. Shiv ji drank it to protect everyone, and Parvati Maa held it in his throat, which turned blue. That is why he is called Neelkanth, "the blue-throated one." (Source: Bhagavata Purana, Book 8, Chapter 7.)
Is Om Namah Shivaya only for Shaiva families? No. Families of every tradition chant it. Hindu tradition sees Shiv ji, Vishnu ji and Devi as forms of the one divine.
Learn it on Pratham Pranam
Hear Om Namah Shivaya, slowly and calmly, with its meaning, in Mantra Shala on Pratham Pranam.