ஓம் சிவாய நமOm Sivaya Nama — Lyrics & Meaning
A meditation on the Panchakshara mantra 'Om Sivaya Nama' as the rare medicine that removes karma. Built around the mantra as a returning pallavi that weaves between charanams of personal surrender and a closing plea to Thiru Neelakandar to cleanse the world of evil.
The Story Behind This Song
This song is a Panchakshara mantra krithi — the five-lettered Shiva mantra 'Om Sivaya Nama' itself forms the pallavi, returning between each charanam as a breath of remembrance. The mantra is called 'aru marundhu' (rare medicine) that removes the fruit of karma. The anupallavi makes the vow: whatever sufferings come, I will never forget the Name. The charanams describe the mantra's power (sorrow vanishes like lightning when uttered), the devotee's personal surrender (though scorched in the furnace of birth, I took refuge at your feet and received the cool shade of your grace), and a closing lament and plea to Thiru Neelakandar — this world is stained and worries only about money; come once, destroy the wicked, and restore beauty to the cosmos.
Lyrics in Tamil & English Transliteration with Meaning
Meaning: (Pallavi) Om Sivaya Nama, Om Sivaya Nama — the Name of Shiva is the rare medicine, the sacred Name that removes the fruit of our karma.
Meaning: (Anupallavi) Whatever sufferings may come, daily, without ever forgetting, I shall hold your Name in my remembrance.
Meaning: (Pallavi returns) Om Sivaya Nama, Om Sivaya Nama.
Meaning: (Charanam 1) O Siddha! When I think of you and with a joyful mind utter the Shiva name, by the greatness of your sacred Name, sorrow vanishes like a flash of lightning.
Meaning: (Pallavi returns) Om Sivaya Nama, Om Sivaya Nama.
Meaning: (Charanam 2) Though I have lain scorched in the furnace of birth, with body aching, I sought your feet and took refuge — and you gave me the cool shade of your grace.
Meaning: (Pallavi returns) Om Sivaya Nama, Om Sivaya Nama.
Meaning: (Charanam 3) In this world, every worry is only for the sake of mere coin. This stained and fallen earth has become the very symbol of humanity's condition.
Meaning: (Charanam 3 continued) Come just once and behold this world, O Lord! Drive away the wicked, and restore the universe to beauty — O Thiru Neelakandar!
Meaning: (Final Pallavi) Om Sivaya Nama, Om Sivaya Nama, Om Sivaya Nama — the mantra sustains and fades.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the meaning of Om Sivaya Nama (ஓம் சிவாய நம)?
- A meditation on the Panchakshara mantra 'Om Sivaya Nama' as the rare medicine that removes karma. Built around the mantra as a returning pallavi that weaves between charanams of personal surrender and a closing plea to Thiru Neelakandar to cleanse the world of evil.
- Who composed Om Sivaya Nama?
- Om Sivaya Nama (ஓம் சிவாய நம) 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 Om Sivaya Nama be sung?
- Om Sivaya Nama is most auspiciously sung on Mondays — the day traditionally associated with Shiva worship — and during shivaratri.
- Where can I find the lyrics of Om Sivaya Nama in Tamil?
- The full lyrics of Om Sivaya Nama in Tamil script (ஓம் சிவாய நம), along with the English transliteration and verse-by-verse meaning, are available on this page above.