Sunday, April 22, 2018

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.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

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