Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Ayyappa

Sri Shastru Panchakshara Stotram.

'Panchakshara' indicates the 5 (Pancha) most sacred letters (Akshara) Na, Ma, Shi, Va, Ya - collectively called the Panchakshari Mantra, used to propitiate Lord Shiva. These 5 letters indicate the 5 basic elements which all living beings are made of:

Na - Prithvi or the earth,

Ma - Jal or water,

Shi - Agni or fire,

Va - Vayu or air,

Ya - Akash or the sky.

The Shiva Panchakshara Stotra is the most well known prayer in this format, composed by Adi Sankara. Given below is the meaning of each verse of the Sri Dharma Shastru Panchakshara Stotra, in praise of Lord Dharma Sastha:

1: Oh embodiment of Om (Omkara Murti), destroyer of difficulties & bad qualities (Aartighna), Oh Lord (Deva), Oh son of Vishnu & Shiva (Hariharatmaja), Oh dweller of Sabari Peetha, Oh Sastha, I bow down respectfully to you (Sasthaaram Pranamamyaham).

2: The one with a face as luminous & bright as the moon (Nakshatra natha vadana - Nakshatra natha meaning the moon, lord of the stars), Oh Lord of the 3 worlds (Natha Tribhuvanaavana), the one to whom the Universe bows down, O Sastha, I bow down respectfully to you.

3: The one who is as beautiful as Manmatha, the Lord of love (Manmathayuta Saundaryam), the one who is worshipped by the Bhutaganas (attendants of Lord Shiva), the one who revels in playing with wild animals (Mrugaya Rasikam), to that Sastha, I bow down respectfully.

4: Oh bestower of auspiciousness (Shiva Pradayina), Oh Lord of your devotees (Bhakta Daivatam), Oh child of the Pandya king (Pandya Balaka),The one who milked the tigress (Shardula Dugdha Hartaaram - Shardula/Tiger, Dugdha/Milk), Oh Sastha, I bow down respectfully to you.

5: The one seated on the king of the jungle (Varanendra Samaarudham, Varana meaning forest, Aarudha meaning 'to be seated), the protector of the universe (Vishwa traana), the object of devotion of all (parayanam), the one who holds a cane (Vethra) in His lotus like hands (Udbhasi Karambhoja), to that Sastha, I bow down respectfully.

6: The one who is venerated by the Yakshas (Yakshina Abhimata), the one who is attended to by His consorts Purna & Pushkala (Purna Pushkala Parisevitam), the one who readily grants boons (Kshipra Prasadaka), to that Sastha I bow down respectfully.

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa