நம சிவாய எனும் திரு மந்திரம்Nama Sivaya enum Thiru Mandhiram — Lyrics & Meaning
A declarative praise song on the Panchakshara — the five-lettered sacred mantra 'Nama Sivaya' — as the divine mantra chanted by devas and sages, the Veda mantra praised by the four Vedas, and the root mantra (moola mantra) that rules the devotee through grace.
The Story Behind This Song
This is a declarative praise krithi on the Panchakshara itself — the five-lettered sacred mantra 'Nama Sivaya'. Unlike a personal surrender song, this composition names and celebrates the many aspects of the mantra: in five letters we praise the Lord; the devas and sages chant it as their Deva mantra; the four Vedas praise it as the Veda mantra; having created the machine-like world and given us the cunning mind, through grace the Lord releases us entirely and rules us as the root mantra (moola mantra). The song closes with joyful surrender: by your grace alone, we have come to take refuge at your feet, O Lord of the golden feet who dance in the great hall of Chidambaram.
Lyrics in Tamil & English Transliteration with Meaning
Meaning: (Pallavi) To attain the wondrous supreme state there is a beautifully formed mantra: in five letters we praise the Lord — the sacred mantra 'Nama Sivaya'.
Meaning: (Charanam 1) It is the divine mantra that the heaven-dwelling devas and the sages chant.
Meaning: (Pallavi returns) The sacred mantra 'Nama Sivaya'.
Meaning: (Charanam 2) It is the Vedic mantra praised by the four Vedas — the Siva-mantra 'Nama Sivaya'.
Meaning: (Pallavi returns) The sacred mantra 'Nama Sivaya'.
Meaning: (Charanam 3) Having created this machine-like world and given us the cunning mind, by your grace you release us entirely from it — O root mantra (moola mantra) that rules us!
Meaning: (Pallavi returns) The sacred mantra 'Nama Sivaya'.
Meaning: (Charanam 4) By your grace alone, we have joyously come to take refuge at your feet, O Lord. O golden feet that dance in the great hall of Chidambaram — grace us!
Meaning: (Final Pallavi) Nama Sivaya, Nama Sivaya, Nama Sivaya — the sacred mantra 'Nama Sivaya'.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the meaning of Nama Sivaya enum Thiru Mandhiram (நம சிவாய எனும் திரு மந்திரம்)?
- A declarative praise song on the Panchakshara — the five-lettered sacred mantra 'Nama Sivaya' — as the divine mantra chanted by devas and sages, the Veda mantra praised by the four Vedas, and the root mantra (moola mantra) that rules the devotee through grace.
- Who composed Nama Sivaya enum Thiru Mandhiram?
- Nama Sivaya enum Thiru Mandhiram (நம சிவாய எனும் திரு மந்திரம்) was composed and written by RG Madanagopal (இரா.கோ.மதன்கோபால்), a Tamil devotional composer. It is an original Tamil devotional song dedicated to Shiva (சிவன்).
- When should Nama Sivaya enum Thiru Mandhiram be sung?
- Nama Sivaya enum Thiru Mandhiram is most auspiciously sung on Mondays — the day traditionally associated with Shiva worship — and during shivaratri.
- Where can I find the lyrics of Nama Sivaya enum Thiru Mandhiram in Tamil?
- The full lyrics of Nama Sivaya enum Thiru Mandhiram in Tamil script (நம சிவாய எனும் திரு மந்திரம்), along with the English transliteration and verse-by-verse meaning, are available on this page above.