

Traditionally, it is accepted to be a powerful healing mantra beneficial for all physical and mental ailments. It also keeps the devotee close to Shiva and within His protective global fellowship. When done correctly, it allegedly calms the mind and brings spiritual insight and knowledge. This mantra is associated with qualities of prayer, divine-love, grace, truth, and blissfulness. The guru whispers the mantra into the disciple’s right ear, along with instructions on how and when to chant it. This initiation is often part of a temple ritual, such as a puja, japa, homa (fire ceremony), dhyana or and while smearing vibhuti. Before this initiation which is called mantra diksha, the guru will usually require a period of study. It is freely sung and chanted by everyone, but it is most powerful when given by one's guru. Traditionally it is repeated 108 times a day while keeping count on a strand of rudraksha beads. This mantra is repeated verbally or mentally, drawing the mind in upon itself to Lord Shiva's infinite, all-pervasive presence. Traditional 108+1 Rudraksha mala used for chanting Om Namah Shivaya Mantra

The Tamil Saivaite hymn Tiruvacakam begins with the five letters 'Na' 'Ma' 'Śi' 'Vā' and 'Ya'.It is also referenced many times throughout the Śiva Purana as the "5 syllable Mantra" and "6 syllable mantra" when including Om.


In Siddha Shaivism and Shaiva Siddhanta Shaivism traditions, Namah Shivaya is considered as Pancha Bodha Tatva of Lord Shiva and his universal oneness of five elements: Namah Shivaya means "Adoration to Lord Shiva" this is preceded by the devotional syllable " Om". In the Rudrashtadhyayi, the mantra appears in the 5th chapter (also known as Namakam) verse 41. This mantra also appears in the Rudrashtadhyayi, a part of the Shukla Yajurveda. This means "Salutations unto Śiva the auspicious one, unto Śivatara the one than whom none more auspicious can exist". The mantra appears without the initial Om in the eighth hymn of Namakam(TS 4.5.8.1) as Namaḥ śivāya ca śivatarāya ca ( Sanskrit: नमः शिवाय च शिवतराय च). Name of both chapters are Namakam (chapter five) and Chamakam (chapter seven) respectively. Each chapter consist of eleven anuvaka or hymns. Shri Rudram hymn is taken from two chapters in fourth book of Taittiriya Samhita (TS 4.5, 4.7) of Krishna Yajurveda. This mantra is present in the Shri Rudram hymn which is part of the Krishna Yajurveda.
