Powerful Lord Shiva Chants and Mantras

For thousands of years, people have known and realized the power of the ‘mantras’. In Vedic times, warriors used the power of these mantras to create desired effects on the opposite army. In addition to this, the mantras can help influence behavior in positive ways.

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What are Mantras

In simple language, Mantras are the sacred syllables or phrases (mostly in the Sanskrit language), which are repeated to produce a powerful effect. These mantras have a spiritual significance and are believed to have a profound effect on our day-to-day lives.

Benefits of Chanting Mantras

When these mantras are chanted with the right intention, the energy behind these mantras permeate the subconscious mind and brings it closer to the universe. The vibrations produced during the chanting stimulate and balance the chakras (energy centres of the body).

Lord Shiva

Shiva, meaning auspicious, is one of the main deities of Hinduism. Believed to be one of three gods among the ‘tridevs’ (trinity of gods), Shiva is one of the most revered gods. While Lord Brahma is believed to be the creator and Lord Vishnu, the preserver, Lord Shiva is believed to be the destroyer of the evil.

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Benefits of Chanting Shiva Mantras

Compared to all other mantras, the Shiv Mantras are believed to be very powerful. Chanting Shiva Mantra invokes Lord Shiva to remove all the obstacles and destroy enemies from your path.

The Shiv mantras and Shiv Strotas are believed even to have the ability to defy untimely death. That’s why ‘Shiv Mantras’ are also called ‘Raksha Kawach’ (shield of protection). They have immense power to heal. The Mahamrityunjaya mantra is chanted for protection from untimely death, fears, and misdeeds.

Shiva Chants and Mantras

There are several shlokas, chants, and mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva. Each mantra has its own unique significance and is very powerful.

According to Hindu mythology, there are many Shiva mantras to chant. Given below are 6 of the most powerful mantras. If someone chants these mantras sincerely with proper devotion, it pleases Lord Shiva and he gives the desired results. All these 6 mantras, mentioned below, are very simple, can be remembered and chanted easily.

1. Shiva Moola Mantra

ॐ नमः शिवाय !

Om Namah Shivaay!

Meaning of the Mantra: Hey! Lord Shiva, I bow to you. I bow to the peaceful one who is the embodiment of the entire universe.

Significance of the Mantra: Also called the ‘Panchakshari Shiva Strota’, this is the most common and mool (basic) mantra of Lord Shiva, who is the supreme god here. This mantra is used for protection and security. Being the simplest one, this mantra is can be chanted anytime and anywhere, while performing Rudrabhishek or any other ritual related to Lord Shiva.

2. Shiva Gayatri Mantra

ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि

तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात् !

Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Mahadevaya Dhimahi,

Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat !

Meaning of the Mantra: I pray to the mightiest of the Gods, the ideal Purusha, Mahadev. I pray to God to bless me with the intellect and illuminate my path with the light of knowledge.

Significance of the Mantra: As per Hindu mythology, the Shiva Gayatri Mantra is believed to be very powerful. This sacred mantra can be chanted daily in the morning time. This mantra pleases Lord Shiva and is believed to have the power to fulfil all your wishes and give you peace of mind.

3. Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिंम् पुष्टिवर्धनम् ।

उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात् ।।

Om tryambakam yajamahe sugandhim puṣṭi-vardhanam ǀ

urvarukam-iva bandhanān mṛtyormukṣīya māmṛitāt ǁ

Meaning of the Mantra: O three-eyed Lord, One who can see everything that what others cannot see. Hey, god of gods, I invite you to come and bless me with good vasanas. And when my final time comes to depart this world (The time of death), I would want to leave my body without any hesitations of leaving worldly attachments.

Significance of the Mantra: This is a very powerful mantra and sacred mantra. Being a very sacred mantra, it cannot be chanted anytime. ‘Mrityunjaya’ means “victory over the death”. This has a very specific significance. This mantra is used for a person, who wants to remove the fear of untimely death and overcome other forms of physical suffering. In such cases, it is very powerful and useful.

Legends Associated with this Mantra:

There are several legends associated with this mantra. The first legend is associated with Rishi Markandeya. At the time of his birth, his father, sage Mrikandu, was told about the premature death of his child. The astrologer advised the child to worship Lord Shiva and get victory over death. It was then, the mantra was revealed unto him.

The second legend is associated with the guru of the demons, Shukracharya. Lord Shiva, himself, revealed this mantra to him and referred to it as ‘Sanjeevani Vidya’ or the art of resurrection.

4. Rudra Mantra

ॐ नमो भगवते रुद्राय

Om Namo Bhagavate Rudraya

Meaning of the Mantra: I bow to the holy one, to the Rudra i.e. Lord Shiva.

Significance of the Mantra:

Rudra is one of the ancient forms of Lord Shiva. The word “Rudra’ comes from the Sanskrit language and means ‘the wild one’. Lord Shiva in his Rudra form was the god of the storm and had a fiery face.

The Rudra Gayatri mantra is very useful and powerful to fulfill your desires. Mantra is the best way to please Lord Shiva and get his blessings. By chanting this mantra, you get Rudra’s blessing.

5. Shiva Yajur Mantra

कर्पूरगौरं करुणावतारं, संसारसारम् भुजगेन्द्रहारम् ।

सदावसन्तं हृदयारविन्दे भवं भवानीसहितं नमामि ॥

Karpur Gauram Karunavataram,

Sansara Saram Bhujagendra Haram |

Sada Vasantam Hridayaaravinde,

Bhavam Bhavani Sahitam Namami ||

Meaning of the Mantra: Hey Lord Shiva, I bow to you. You are the essence of the world and are pure like the ‘shwet kapoor’ (white camphor). You are the epitome of compassion in this universe. Within you, you have the essence of existence and you wear the King of serpents as a garland. You always reside in the heart that’s like a lotus. I bow to you and your consort Bhavani (Maan Parvati), who always accompanies you.

Significance of the Mantra: This mantra is chanted at the end of every ritual, at the time of aarti. It hails Lord Shiva as the Supreme Being and describes his looks and qualities.

6. Shiv Dhyaana Mantra

करचरण कृतं वाक्कायजं कर्मजं वा ।

श्रवणनयनजं वा मानसं वापराधं ।

विहितमविहितं वा सर्वमेतत्क्षमस्व ।

जय जय करुणाब्धे श्रीमहादेव शम्भो ॥

“Karcharankritam Vaa Kaayjam Karmjam Vaa

Shravannayanjam Vaa Maansam Vaa Paradham

Vihitam Vihitam Vaa Sarv Metat Kshamasva

Jay Jay Karunaabdhe Shree Mahadev Shambho”

Meaning of the Mantra: Oh lord of mercy, Please forgive all my sins performed consciously or unconsciously. I request you to pardon the sinful actions committed by my hands and feet, or produced by my words spoken or deeds done. Please pardon the sinful acts committed by my senses like ears and eyes or sinful thoughts that entered my mind. Please forgive me for all sins committed while performing my duties as well as the action not explicitly prescribed. Please forgive me for all my sins. Victory to you, Mahadev, Shambho, you are the ocean of compassion

Significance of the Mantra: This shloka is a bedtime prayer to God that seeks forgiveness from Lord Shiva for any sin that you may have done along the course of work and life, knowingly or unknowingly. By your grace, we have completed one more day of our life. So, in order to thank Lord Shiva, who is the lord of mercy and compassion, and ask for his mercy.