Best Shiva mantras for healing

We list some of the best Shiva mantras for healing your mind, body, and spirit through the power of meditation.

Oct 23, 2024
Today I’ll be sharing with you four of the most powerful and best Shiva mantras for healing all physical, mental, and spiritual sufferings.
These mantras, when chanted properly, can transform your life for the better.

Listen to the best Shiva mantras for healing

Here's a list of mantras that you can listen to right now. These are Shiva mantras perfect for healing.
If you would like to read up on each of these mantras, and why they're great for healing, please scroll below as the mantras play in the background.

Who is Shiva?

Of the Trimurthis (trinity of gods) who are believed to be at the source of all known existence, the most feared one is Shiva, the blue-necked God of destruction, the one with the all-seeing third eye.
Paradoxically, the divine name that stands for destruction also stands for unwavering peace and enlightenment.
Shiva is an embodiment of still waters that run deep – the quiet, meditative caveman who sits in penance atop a mountain range far away from the world, can if perturbed, wake up with a wrath so unfathomable, that no worldly object or being, however big or small, would withstand it.
And just as this wrath destroys all evil, it does so to protect the good.

Best Shiva Mantras Guide

Lord Shiva’s name, therefore, is a shield against all that is an obstacle in the path of goodness.
Any Shiva mantra in Sanskrit can be recited in peaceful contemplation, as well as in powerful, aggressive rhythms.
The mantras we record at Mahakatha are more for deep immersion in oneself. The mantra does not overpower your mind. In fact, it is a catalyst for the intention that you want for your mantra meditation.
Let's look at some of the healing mantras of Shiva.

Shivashtakam – Shiva Salutations for Peace Of Mind

This mantra is a humble call for the blessings of Shiva. The mantra is said to be worded artfully by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the ancient scholar, in order to tune into his infinite peace and strength.
The eight verses are eight salutations to Shiva, each describing features of his divine being and his powers to rid the world of every obstacle and suffering.

When to chant Shivashtakam?

It is said that the best time to recite the Shivashtakam or meditate to is early morning.
After the morning bath, the disciple should preferably wear white clothes while sitting down to meditate with this stotram, as white clothes radiate calmness and humility outwards and within.

What are the benefits of chanting Shivashtakam?

If chanted regularly and with undivided focus, this Sanskrit Shiva mantra is known to have healing effects on the disciple’s life.
The chant alleviates suffering, brings an end to trials and tribulations, and establishes inner peace, making it the most powerful Shiva mantra for success and contentment.
As a result of its effect, chanting the Shivashtakam can bless the life of the chanter with abundant health and happiness, while also opening up the path to prosperity.

Panchakshari Mantra: Shiva’s Power In 5 Syllables

The literal meaning of Panchakshari is ‘five letters'. This refers to the syllables Na Mah Shi Va Ya.
And according to the school of Hinduism, these five syllables are more than just a holy chant.
It is believed that they represent the five basic elements or Tattvas that the body is composed of – Na stands for the earth or the Prithvi Tattva, Ma stands for the water or the Jal Tattva, Shi invigorates the fire or the Agni Tattva, Va is associated with air or the Vayu Tattva and Ya denotes space or the Akasha Tattva.
Adi Shankaracharya composed the Panchakshari stotram with 5 verses that correspond to each syllable. Each verse offers praise to Shiva and seeks his blessing with a salutation.
At the end of the stotram, it is chanted that any devout disciple who recites it with a pure heart is in closeness with Shiva and will be freed from the endless circle of life and path to attain Moksha or salvation.

When to chant Panchakshari Stotram?

The Panchakshari stotram is best chanted in the morning, immediately after having a bath, but can be beneficial when chanted any time during the day. It is a great daily mantra, both for mindful contemplation and for tuning in to the peace of mind.

What are the benefits of Panchakshari Stotram?

Since the stotram channelizes focus to the basic five elements of the body, chanting it regularly is said to have a curative effect on the body and the mind of the disciple. The stotram keeps diseases, unhappiness, and fatigue in check.
It also rejuvenates the chakras of the human body with each syllable and verse.
According to Hinduism, the Panchakshari stotram is also said to bestow ultimate liberation for the disciple, to realize his purpose, and live a full life.

What is the difference between Panchakshari Mantra and Panchakshari Stotram?

Panchakshari refers to the five syllables Na Mah Shi Va Ya.
The Panchakshari mantra is a one-line chant, with only the word ‘Om' recited before the syllables.
A stotram is a form of praise or stuti for the deity in the format of a mantra. Hence, the Panchakshari stotram is a longer chant, in which the eight verses are dedicated to singing the praise of Lord Shiva.

Om Namah Shivaya: For Mindful Meditation

How to chant Om Namah Shivaya?

Om Namah Shivaya is to be chanted with complete focus without any distractions. The intent is to tune into the infinite peace and enlightenment of Lord Shiva.
Owing to its healing power, it is traditionally repeated or heard 108 times a day, with a chain of rudraksha beads or the jap mala to assist with the counting.
The mantra can be universally chanted before the beginning of any auspicious event, in situations of fear, uncertainty, and ill health.

What are the benefits of chanting Om Namah Shivaya?

Om Namaha Shivaya engages the five core elements of the human body, rejuvenating it and removing all impurities and illnesses.
Beyond healing, the mantra is a form of prayer for happiness, harmony, truth, and spiritual awakening.
Scholars and gurus have believed for centuries that the chant is nothing less than therapeutic for the body and the mind.

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra – Mantra to Conquer Fear

The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is the mantra for overcoming fear and cultivating courage.
Mrityunjaya translates to ‘the one who defeats death'. The mantra is also known as the Trayambakam mantra, which stands for ‘the mantra of the three-eyed One.'
Om tryambakam yajāmahe sugandhim puṣṭivardhanam
urvā rukamiv bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya mā'mṛtāt
I invoke you, the One with the third eye that can see beyond what mankind can see. I pray for you to protect my good life. I pray for you to relieve me from the grip of death or harm and allow my soul to live for eternity.
For years, this mantra was regarded as a secret mantra, carefully preserved in the wisdom of a few learned.
Legends have it that the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra had the ability to restore life itself, bringing back the fatally diseased from the claws of death.

When to chant the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra?

This mantra is immensely powerful and can be chanted when one foresees danger or harm to oneself.
This can also be chanted with the intent of praying for a loved one who may be in fear or faced with any form of illness or danger.
Apart from these situations, the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra can also be chanted or listened to as a daily mantra.

What are the benefits of chanting the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra?

The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is like a protective shield – offering strong defense against fear, illness, harm, or untimely death.

The power of Shiva Mantras for healing

The power of destruction is also the god of grace and serenity. Chanting his name has had lasting healing effects on people who need it the most.
When chanted with complete devotion, it can bring longevity, alleviate suffering and empower the soul to overcome fear with courage.
But ancient Indian scriptures include hundreds of other mantras that channel the blessings of Lord Shiva.
Some of the most popular Shiva Mantras are:
  • For removal of obstacles: Bho Shambho Shiva Shambo Swayambho
  • For removal of negativity: Har Har Bole Namah Shivaay – Mantra to remove negativity
  • For success and prosperity: Mahadeva Shiva Shambho
I chant and meditate to Shiva mantras, especially when I am feeling distracted or when I am faced with an unexpected situation and fear begins to creep in.
In my experience, Shiva mantras have a very ‘grounding’ effect.
They can guide the mind to focus and cut off distractions and fear as no other mantras can.
I hope you share a similar experience when you listen to the Shiva mantras I have chanted for you.