Panchakshari and Ashtakshari

You might have noticed while performing some of those Hindu rituals that the priests or pundits refer to Panchakshari Mantra sometimes and to Ashtakshari Mantra at other times.

So, you may like to know the meaning of these two phrases and the difference between these two versions of worshipping.

What is Panchakshari?

It is the combination of two small Sanskrit words: Pancha + Akshara.

Pancha in Sanskrit refers to the number 5.

Akshara refers to a single letter of the language. "Akshari" means that which contains letters.

So, Panchakshari means that which contains five letters.

Panchakshari Mantra is an utterance of a divine rhythmical phrase (consisting of five letters) that is recited to immerse oneself in the meditation and companionship of the Supreme Being.

Example for Panchakshari Mantra

One famous and most popular Panchakshari Mantra is that of Lord Shiva "Om Namashivaya". In this mantra, the panchakshari is "Namashivaya" and "Om" is the prefix to it. This mantra is always recited during the worship of Lord Shiva at all occasions.

What is Ashtakshari?

An "ashtakshari" is a word or phrase comprising eight letters. 

The word "Ashta" refers to the number 8.

So, Ashtakshari means the word or phrase consisting of eight letters.

Ashtakshari Mantra is a mantra or divine utterance that is made up of eight letters for worship or meditation purposes.

Example for Ashtakshari Mantra

The most popular Ashtakshari Mantra recited by the Vaishnava community is "Om Namo Narayanaya". It is spelled as "Om NamO NArAyanAya". 

The eight letters are "om + na + mo + na + ra + ya + na + ya".

This mantra is used for worshipping Lord Vishnu in his various forms.

Sri Rama Ashtottara - 108 Names of Lord Rama

Sri Rama Ashtottara is a form of worship performed by chanting the 108 Names of Lord Rama which glorify his supreme powers and virtues. It is also known as Sri Rama Ashtottara Shatanamavali because it contains 108 names and they are like a garland offered to Rama containing 108 flowers.

Ashtottara is the number of eight coming after some rounded number like 108 or 1008 etc. This particular form of the puja is termed as ashtottara shatanamavali puja meaning that Rama is worshiped with 8 more names after the 100 names.

The 108 names are to be recited while doing your puja; chanting each name separately and offering a flower to God at each name. If you do not have enough flowers to offer, even then, you can chant these names and offer flowers at gaps of each ten names or so.

It does not matter whether you offer flowers or not. It is your true devotion that counts. You can experience the thrill and joy of chanting these names and enjoy some extreme satisfaction which cannot be expressed in words.

Each name starts with "Om" and ends with "namaha".

"Om" is the underlying blissful sound of the universe that continuously keeps vibrating all through the atmosphere.

The word "namaha" is an expression of your act of showing reverence to God. You can keep both your palms together while saying "namaha" at each name or at intervals. Or, you may simply keep reciting the names and bow to the Lord at the end of all the names.

I am providing the meanings for each name (without giving the meaning for those affixes and suffixes of "Om" and "namaha") in the below-charted Table of names.

Points to Remember While Pronouncing the 108 Names of Rama

• I used the vowel articles twice to signify the need for prolonging of the stretch of that article like 'a' and 'e'.
• Double "a" should be stretched softly.
• Double "e" should be stretched like prolonging the vowel "i" in the word 'in'.
• Capital "E" is used to signify prolonged stretch for vowel "e" just like when you used 'e' in the middle of the word "where".
• The letter "d" is to be pronounced just like you pronounce the letter 't' in the word "there".
• The letter "t" is to be pronounced like the letter "t" in the word "with".
• The letter "N" or "L" when used in capital letters signify some special type of pronunciation which is very difficult to explain in words. It can be known only when a Hindu pronounces it.

108 Names of Lord Rama - Sri Rama Ashtottara Shatanamavali

Sl. No.	Names to be Recited	Meanings of the Names
001	Om SriRaamaaya namaha	The provider of Happiness by destroying sins
002	Om Raamabhadraaya namaha	One who cares and protects
003	Om Raamachandraaya namaha	The Gentle and Cool as the Moon
004	Om Shaaswataaya namaha	The Permanent One
005	Om RaajeevalOchanaaya namaha	Beautiful-eyed One
006	Om SreematE namaha	The most-wise and Revered One
007	Om RaajEndraaya namaha	The king of Lords
008	Om Raghupungavaaya namaha	The scion of Raghu clan or dynasty
009	Om Jaanakeevallabhaaya namaha	The consort of Janaki (Sita)
010	Om Jaitraaya namaha	The Victorious One
011	Om Jitaamitraaya namaha	The Conqueror of enemies
012	Om Janaardanaaya namaha	The Liberator of people from their miseries
013	Om Viswaamitrapriyaaya namaha	The Beloved of Viswaamitra sage
014	Om Daantaaya Namaha	The quality of Serenity
015	Om SharaNatraaNatatparaaya namaha	One who craves for and protects his devotees
016	Om Vaalipramadhanaaya namaha	The slayer of monkey king Vali
017	Om VaangminE namaha	The Wisdom Speaker
018	Om SatyavaachE namaha	The Speaker of Truth always
019	Om Satyavikramaaya namaha	One who is Truly Powerful
020	Om Satyavrataaya namaha	One involved in Truth Penance
021	Om Vratadharaaya namaha	One Determined to Penance
022	Om SadaaHanumanaashritaaya namaha	One who is sheltered by Hanuman always
023	Om KausalEyaaya namaha	The Son of Kausalya
024	Om KharadhwansinE namaha	The destroyer of demon Khara
025	Om Viraadhavadhapanditaaya namaha	The One who killed Viradha with wisdom
026	Om VibheeshaNaparitraatE namaha	One who offers protection to VibheeshaNa
027	Om HarakOdandakhandanaaya namaha	One who broke the bow of Shiva named ‘HarakOdanda’
028	Om SaptataaLaprabhEtrE namaha	One who pierced the Seven trees of “Taal” (Palm trees)
029	Om DashagreevasirOharaaya namaha	The slayer of ten-headed Ravana
030	Om Jaamadagnyamahaadarpa-daLanaaya namaha	The destroyer of Parasurama’s pride, son of sage Jamadagni
031	Om Taatakaantakaaya namaha	The destroyer of demon Tataki
032	Om VEdaantasaaraaya namaha	The Essence of Vedas
033	Om VEdaatmanE namaha	The Abode of Vedas
034	Om BhavarOgasyabhEshajaaya namaha	The remover of all earthly diseases and illness
035	Om DooshaNatrisirOhantrE namaha	One who killed the demons named Dushana and Trisira
036	Om TrimoortayE namaha	One who has Three Forms
037	Om TriguNaatmakaaya namaha	The source of Three Qualities
038	Om Trivikramaaya namaha	The Conqueror of Three Worlds
039	Om TrilOkaatmanE namaha	The Abode of all three worlds
040	Om PuNyachaaritrakeertanaaya namaha	The Subject of Hymns sung in praise of his Sanctity
041	Om TrilOkarakshakaaya namaha	The Protector of the Three Worlds
042	Om DhanvinE namaha	One who carries the Bow
043	Om DandakaaraNyavartanaaya namaha	One who treaded through DandakaaraNya forest
044	Om Ahalyaashaapashamanaaya namaha	One who relieved Ahalya from her curse
045	Om Pitrubhaktaaya namaha	The Worshipper of  His Father
046	Om Varapradaaya namaha	One who Bestows  Boons
047	Om JitEndriyaaya namaha	Conqueror of Senses
048	Om JitakrOdhaaya namaha	Conqueror of Anger
049	Om Jitamitraaya namaha                (it is ‘Jita + mitra’ not “Jita + amitra” here)	Winner of Friends (differs with the title at sl.no. 11)
050	Om JagadguravE namaha	The Teacher of the entire Universe
051	Om RukshavaanarasanghaatinE namaha	The Companion of Monkeys and Bears
052	Om Chitrakootasamaashrayaaya namaha	One who took shelter at Chitrakoot
053	Om JayantatraaNavaradaaya namaha	One who saved the life of Jayanta (son of Indra, harmed Sita in the form of a crow)
054	Om SumitraaputrasEvitaaya namaha	One who is served by Sumitra’s son Lakshmana)
055	Om SarvadEvaadidEvaaya namaha	One who is the Lord of all Lords
056	Om Mrutavaanarajeevanaaya namaha	One who blessed the dead monkeys with re-birth
057	Om MaayaamaareechahantrE namaha	The slayer of fake deer-shaped Maareecha
058	Om MahaadEvaaya namaha	The Supreme Lord
059	Om Mahaabhujaaya namaha	The Mighty-Armed
060	Om SarvadEvastutaaya namaha	One who is praised by all Gods
061	Om Soumyaaya namaha	The Gentle and Cool One
062	Om BrhmaNyaaya namaha	One who possesses the supreme qualities of Brahman
063	Om Munisamstutaaya namaha	One who is praised by all sages
064	Om MahaayOginE namaha	The Great Yogi
065	Om MahOdaaraaya namaha	Extremely Compassionate One
066	Om SugreevEpsitaraajyadaaya namaha	One who returned the kingdom deserved by Sugriva
067	Om sarvapuNyaadhikaphalaaya namaha	One who rewards good deeds abundantly
068	Om Smrutasarvaaghanaashanaaya namaha	One who destroys all sins by simply taking His Name
069	Om Aadipurushaaya namaha	The First or Primal Being
070	Om Paramapurushaaya namaha	The Supreme Being
071	Om Mahaapurushaaya namaha	The Greatest Being
072	Om PuNyOdayaaya namaha	The Embodiment of Sanctity
073	Om Dayaasaaraaya namaha	The Essence of Kindness
074	Om PuraaNapurushOttamaaya namaha	The Best of all Scriptural Heroes
075	Om Smitavaktraaya namaha	One with a Smiling Mouth or Face
076	Om MitabhaashiNE namaha	One who talks less
077	Om ApoorvabhaashiNE namaha	One who talks Uniquely
078	Om Raaghavaaya namaha	The descendant of Raghu Clan
079	Om AnantaguNagambheeraaya namaha	One who is Dignified due to His Abundant Virtues
080	Om DheerOdaattaguNOttamaaya namaha	One who is Excellent in Valor and Kindness
081	Om Maayaamaanushachaaritraaya namaha	One who incarnated as a Human Being using his illusion
082	Om MahaadEvaadipoojitaaya namaha	One who is worshiped by Mahadeva or Shiva and others
083	Om SEtukrutE namaha	One who built the bridge
084	Om JitavaaraashayE namaha	One who conquered the ocean
085	Om Sarvateerthamayaaya namaha	One who is the embodiment of all sacred places
086	Om HarayE namaha	Destroyer of all Sins
087	Om Shyaamaangayaaya namaha	The Dark-Skinned One
088	Om Sundaraaya namaha	The Beautiful One
089	Om Sooraaya namaha	The Brave
090	Om PeetavaasasE namaha	One who wears Yellow Clothes
091	Om Dhanurdharaaya namaha	One who holds a Bow
092	Om Sarvayajnaadhipaaya namaha	One who is the presiding deity of all yagna or sacrifices
093	Om YajvanE namaha	One who is the Yagna Himself
094	Om JaraamaraNavarjitaaya namaha	One who is free from the cycles of Birth, Old-Age, or Death
095	Om VibheeshaNaraajyapratishtaatrE namaha	One who established VibheeshaNa on the throne
096	Om SarvaavaguNavarjitaaya namaha	One who destroyed all bad qualities
097	Om ParamaatmanE namaha	The Supreme Soul
098	Om ParasmaibrahmaNE namaha	The Supreme God
099	Om Sachchidaanandavigrahaaya namaha	The One whose form is made up of true Knowledge and bliss
100	Om ParasmaijyOtishE namaha	The One with Eternal Radiance
101	Om ParamdhaamnE namaha	The Supreme Abode
102	Om Paraakaashaaya namaha	The Supreme Space
103	Om Paratparaaya namaha	The Greatest of all
104	Om ParEshaaya namaha	The Supreme Lord
105	Om Paaragaaya namaha	The Uplifter of helpless
106	Om Paaraaya namaha	The Ultimate
107	Om SarvadEvaatmakaaya namaha	One who dwells in all gods
108	Om Parasmai namaha	The Supreme Being