திருஞானசம்பந்தரின் திருவைந்தெழுத்துப் பதிகங்கள்

Thirugnanasambandhar's Panchachara Mantra Hymns

Abstract

This article explores the spiritual and theological significance of the sacred five letters mantra, also known as the Panchachara mantra or the five-letter mantra (Na–Ma–Shi–Va–Ya), within the framework of Shaiva Siddhanta. Recognized as both a sound embodiment of divinity and a symbolic representation of Lord Shiva as the Shivalinga, this mantra is revered as the essence of the four Vedas and their ultimate meaning. Central to this study is the contribution of Thirugnanasambandhar, the child saint from Thiruthonipuram. He received divine wisdom from Goddess Umayammai and composed the first three Thirumurais, embedding the divine name—the sacred five letters - within his hymns.The article critically examines the sacred five letters padhigangal of Thirugnanasambandhar through various dimensions, including the mantra’s hidden scriptural meanings, its structural significance as five sacred syllables, and its devotional application through the Thiruppanchachara Tirupathigam and the Thirunamachivaya Tirupathigam. Further sections elaborate on the correct method of recitation and the spiritual uses of the mantra in daily practice. By analyzing these aspects, the article aims to highlight the centrality of the sacred five letters in the devotional and philosophical thought of Shaiva Siddhanta. The study concludes by reaffirming the enduring spiritual value of Thirugnanasambandhar’s hymns in preserving and promoting Vedic wisdom through the name of Shiva.