Mantras for Maha Shivratriमहाशिवरात्रि
VedicMantra
Om Namah Shivaya — the Panchakshara
The five-syllable Shiva mantra. The phrase occurs in the Shri Rudram of the Krishna Yajurveda.
Krishna Yajurveda, Taittiriya Samhita 4.5.8 (Shri Rudram, Namakam)Shiva5 syllables
VedicMantra
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
The Tryambaka verse of the Rigveda, addressed to Rudra — a prayer for release, likening it to a ripe fruit loosening from its stem.
Rigveda 7.59.12Shiva32 syllables
VedicSukta (hymn)
Namaste Rudra Manyava — opening of the Shri Rudram
The first line of the Shri Rudram, the central Vedic hymn to Rudra — Taittiriya Samhita 4.5.1.
Krishna Yajurveda, Taittiriya Samhita 4.5.1Shiva