What is Panchakshar Mantra? How did the (Om Namah Shivay) mantra originate? What does ‘Aum’ mean?

There is a description of the origin of the Panchakshar Mantra in Shivpuran, in which, on the request of Brahma and Vishnu, Lord Shiva, while introducing his form, has explained the origin and importance of the Panchakshar Mantra.

Lord Shiva says - In the past, I have shown my form through a mantra, which this world knows by the name of Omkar, that mantra is very beneficial and provides all the attainments.

Omkar (Om) first appeared from my mouth, man identifies my form by pronouncing it. My form is included in this mantra. By meditating on Omkar, one always meditates on me, that is, my devotees meditate on me only with the Omkar mantra.

'Aakar' appeared from my northern mouth, 'Ukar' from the western mouth, 'Makar' from the southern mouth, 'Chandra Bindu' appeared from the eastern mouth and 'Naad' appeared from the middle mouth. In this way, Omkar was created by the union of five elements and by the union of all these elements, a single letter named 'Om' was formed.

This mantra connects all the forms, names and Vedas of the world in a meaningful form, this mantra appears in female form as well as in male form i.e. reminds of both Shiva and Shakti and from this the Panchakshar Mantra was originated. Which reflects my form.

This mantra starts with the word ‘A’ and ends with the word ‘M’, thus this Pranav Mantra has come into light in the form of ‘Om Namah Shivay’ and this is called ‘Panchakshar Mantra’.

This Panchakshar Mantra has five differences or characteristics from the mother's varna. These five divisions are generally present in this mantra - Parameshwari, Jagadamba, Jagajanani, Adishakti, and Shiva form. Gayatri Mantra appeared from the Panchakshar Mantra (Om Namah Shivay). The entire Vedas appeared from Gayatri Mantra and crores of mantras emerged from those Vedas. Various tasks are accomplished through those mantras. But with this Pranav (Om) and Panchakshar mantra, all the desires are completely fulfilled.

By chanting this Panchakshar Mantra, both enjoyment and salvation are attained. All the mantras related to my physical form are beneficial and auspicious, providing Rajyoga and salvation, that is, by chanting this mantra, a person gets happiness and prosperity in this earth, after enjoying happiness and death, he gets salvation. That means he resides in Shivlok and does not take birth again in this world.

Verified from Puran.......

Writer :- krishna