ॐ नमः शिवाय
— Panchakshari Mantra · 5-syllable mantra (Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya) · Shiva Purana
ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि।
तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात्॥
— Shiva Gayatri Mantra
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्॥
— Mahamrityunjaya Mantra · Rigveda 7.59.12 · Yajurveda 3.60
"Om, I bow to Shiva — the five elements (Na=Earth, Ma=Water, Shi=Fire, Va=Air, Ya=Space) united in the Supreme."
"We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva, who is fragrant and who nourishes all beings. As the ripe cucumber is freed from its vine — may He liberate us from death for the sake of immortality."
Lord Shiva — Mahadeva — is the greatest deity of the Trimurti, the lord of all yogis, and the cosmic dancer (Nataraja) whose Tandava represents the eternal cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution. He is simultaneously Rudra (the fierce) and Shankara (the benevolent). His third eye symbolizes transcendental knowledge that burns away ignorance. His matted locks hold the Ganga, and the crescent moon adorns his head. Worshipping Shiva grants liberation (moksha), removes fear of death, and bestows divine grace upon the devotee.
