One of the holiest and most potent chants devoted to Lord Shiva is the Shiva Panchakshara Mantra. The five syllables that make up this mantra, "Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya," are called Panchakshara (Pancha = five, Akshara = letters). It is said that each syllable awakens the devotee's divine consciousness and has profound spiritual and cosmic meaning. Chanting