What do the common mantra 'Om Namah Shivay' actually mean

[paul linus]

'Om Namah Shivay' mantra means 'I bow down to Shiva.' During Mahashivratri people worship Shiva Lingam. In Shiva Purana it is called as Rudra Abhisheka. 'Rudra' is another epithet of Lord Shiva and 'Abhisheka' means worship. Worshipers bathed the Lingham with milk, honey, yogurt, rose water and sandalwood paste. During the worship people chant the mantra.

 

[jitendra05]

Before the creation of the universe, there was void and vibrationless existence. Then out of this void, Om vibration came out and creation of universe start. The Namah Shivaya represents
Na – Earth
Mah – Water
Shi – Fire
Va – Air
Ya – Sky or ether

Truly, it means to bow down to Shiva.