SIVA PANCHAKSHARA STOTRAM WITH TELUGU LYRICS AND MEANING With Acknowledgements Vedanta Bharati and Shruti Bode for its Audio. The Panchakshara literally means "five letters" in Sanskrit and refers to the five holy letters 'Na', 'Ma ','Si','Va', 'Ya'. This is prayer to Lord Shiva, and is associated with Shiva's Mantra Om Namah Shivaya , of which Namah Shivaya is also called the Panchakshari Mantra. The holy word chant to worship him is made of five letters and is popularly called Panchakshara- Na Ma Si Va Ya. According to Hindu traditions, the human body is considered to be made up of five elements and these holy letters represent these elements. Na Consecrates Prithvi Tatva, Ma does the same with Jal Tatva (Water factor) Shi energizes Agni Tatva (Fire element) Va energizes Vayu Tatva (Air factor) and finally Ya energizes Akash Tatva (Sky/Space element). In this popular Stotra, each of these holy letters is considered as representing Shiva and the Lord is praised for his great qualities. The great Shri Adi Sankaracharya (considered an incarnation of Shiva Himself) is the author of this stotra.