Hymns in honor of Lord Shiva are sung with great vehemence and devotion. It is believed that one who utters the name of Lord Shiva is freed from all earthly sufferings. Quite ideally therefore devotees repeat the Panchakshara Mantra, Om Namah Shivaya. The utterance of the hymns of Lord Shiva liberates one from the cycle of birth and death and finally he reaches the abode of Shiva.
Shree Shivpanchakshar Stotra
( The `Five Letter`s Hymn) Nagcndraharaya Trilochaaya Bhasmangaragaya Maheshwaraya Nityaya Shuddhaya Digambaraya Tasmai ` Na Karaya namah Shivalya
He whose neck is garlanded by snakes, who has three eyes, the ash only smudges his body, he who is unclad- "I bow to Him, the pious, indestructible Lord Shiva in the form of `Na`".
Mandakini Salila chandan charchitaya Nandishwar pramathnath maheshwaraya Mandar puspa bahupushpasu supoojitaye Tasmai `Ma` karaye Namah Shivaya
He who is daubed with Ganga water and sandalwood paste; who has been worshipped with Mandar and other resplendent flowers; that Lord of Nandi and other confederates, the Grand Lord Shiva- "I bow to him in his `Ma` form"
Shivaya Gauri vandana bjavrinda Sooryaya Dakshadwarnashkaya Shru Neelkanthaya Vrishadwajaya Tasmai `Shi` karaya Namah Shivaya
Who is of auspicious form; who represents the rising sun to bloom the lotus flower like the face of Parvati ji, who is the slayer of Daksha. Whose flag bears the bull symbol- "I bow to that blue-throated Lord Shiva in his `Shi` form".
Vashishtha, kumbhodhava Gautamarya Munccndra devarchita shekharaya Chandrarka Vaishwanar Lochanaya Tasmai kva karaya Namah Shivaya
He who has been worshipped by the High sages like Vashishtha, Agastya and Gautama besides the other gods including Indra; whose eyes are the moon, the sun and the fire- "I bow to that Lord Shiva in his `va` form".
Yakshaswaroopaya Jatadharaya Pinakhastaya sanatanaya Dwivyaya Dcvaya Digambaraya Tasmai `Ya` karaya Namah Shivaya
He who has adopted the appearance of Yaksha, who has long lock-like hair, whose hand brandishes a bow called pinak, who is the Divine Eternal Man- "I bow to the unclad Deity Lord Shiva in his `Ya`` form".
Panchaksharmidam punyam pathechhivasannidhau Shivlokanavapnoti Shiven sah modite
He who recites these verses, elevating five letters of the Incantation of the Lord, before the Lord, he obtains the status of Lord Shiva and lives ever ecstatically with Lord Shiva.
