How many times to chant Om Namah Shivaya?
108 times — one mala. Why 108, how to keep count without losing the mantra, and what to do on a short day.
Deep Dive
The short answer
108 times. One mala — the string of 108 beads used for japa — is the count Om Namah Shivaya is traditionally chanted in, and it is the number to use if you only ever remember one. One mala of 108 is the standard daily count. Devotees going deeper do 1,008 (ten malas and eight beads) on Mondays, Pradosham, or Maha Shivaratri.
- 108 repetitions — one full mala — is the daily practice.
- 108 once a day, or 27 in the morning and 27 at night if a full mala will not fit.
- If even that will not fit today, 27 is a quarter mala and still counts. A short practice you actually do beats a long one you postpone.
Why 108
There is no single answer, and anyone who gives you one confidently is guessing. The number is old and over-explained: 27 nakshatras across four quarters; the ratio of the sun and moon's distances to their diameters, both roughly 108 times; 54 Sanskrit letters counted twice. What is certain is that the mala has 108 beads plus a larger meru bead, and that a count you never have to think about is what lets attention go somewhere else.
- The mala's 109th bead — the meru — is not counted; it marks where to turn back.
- You do not cross the meru. At the end of a round you reverse direction.
- The point of a fixed count is that you stop deciding when to stop.
What Om Namah Shivaya actually says
ॐ नमः शिवाय — “I bow to Shiva” — and, read inwardly, a bow to the stillness Shiva stands for. Five syllables (na-mah-shi-vā-ya), which is why it is called the Panchakshari mantra. With the leading Om it is six.
- Deity: Shiva.
- Traditional timing: Brahma muhurta — roughly 90 minutes before sunrise — is the classical slot. Monday is Shiva’s day, and Pradosham (the twilight of the 13th lunar day) is the traditional peak.
- Usual commitment: 21 or 40 unbroken days is the usual sadhana length before you judge the effect.
Keeping count without losing the mantra
This is the real difficulty, and it is why the count has a technology of its own. Holding a number in your head while repeating a phrase means you are doing two things, and the one that suffers is the mantra. Hand the counting to something else — beads under the thumb, or a counter that keeps the number while you keep the sound.
- Mala: thumb pulls each bead toward you on the repetition; index finger never touches it.
- Breath: one repetition per exhale gives you a pace you cannot rush.
- A counter or a repeat-set track: you look up at the end, not during.
- Whatever you use, do not check it mid-round. Checking is the interruption.
21-day shape
Counts matter less than continuity. The traditional instruction is to fix the count, the time and the seat, and then not renegotiate any of them for the length of the commitment.
- Days 1–3: half a mala, same time each day. You are building the slot, not the count.
- Days 4–14: the full 108. Same seat, same hour, no exceptions you would not make for a meeting.
- Days 15 onward: keep the count and lower the volume — whisper, then mental. Mental japa is the destination, not a shortcut.
- Missing a day does not reset anything. Skipping the same day twice does.
When a smaller count is the right one
A full mala is not always available, and forcing it produces a rushed, shallow round that teaches your body the wrong thing about the practice.
- Short on time: 27, done slowly, over a rushed 108.
- Chanting aloud and hoarse: drop to a whisper and keep the count.
- Agitated or lightheaded: slow by about 20% and breathe normally between repetitions.
- Illness or grief: the count can go to 3. Continuity is what you are protecting.
Key Takeaways
- 108 repetitions — one mala — is the count, and 27 is an honest quarter on a short day.
- Hand the counting to beads or a counter; holding the number in your head is what breaks the practice.
- Fix the count, the time and the seat, then stop renegotiating them for the length of the commitment.
Practise this on Mantra Repeater
The three things this post asks of you — a count you do not have to hold in your head, a sit that ends without you checking the clock, and a breath pace the mantra can ride on — are the three things the app does. Use them together with Om Namah Shivaya.
A complete session, start to finish: three minutes of breathwork, one mala of Om Namah Shivaya on the player, then five minutes of silent meditation. Mantra Repeater is free to start on the web, iOS and Android.
Mantra Options
- Om Namah Shivaya
- So Hum
- Om Shanti
- Om
Environment Setup
A seat you return to, a mala or a counter within reach, and Om Namah Shivaya chosen before you sit — deciding what to chant after sitting down is how a sit becomes a debate. Quiet corner, relaxed shoulders, and a timer so you can drop into the practice.
FAQs
How many times should Om Namah Shivaya be chanted?
One mala of 108 is the standard daily count. Devotees going deeper do 1,008 (ten malas and eight beads) on Mondays, Pradosham, or Maha Shivaratri.
What does Om Namah Shivaya mean?
ॐ नमः शिवाय — “I bow to Shiva” — and, read inwardly, a bow to the stillness Shiva stands for. Five syllables (na-mah-shi-vā-ya), which is why it is called the Panchakshari mantra. With the leading Om it is six.
Do I need a mala, or can I count another way?
A mala is traditional but not required. What matters is that you are not holding the number in your head — beads, a counter, or a repeat-set track all free the attention the mantra needs.
Does it have to be out loud?
No. Aloud, whispered and mental japa are all recognised, and mental is generally considered the deepest. Start aloud while the mantra is unfamiliar and let it quieten as the sit settles.
What time of day is best?
Brahma muhurta — roughly 90 minutes before sunrise — is the classical slot. Monday is Shiva’s day, and Pradosham (the twilight of the 13th lunar day) is the traditional peak.
How long before I notice anything?
The breath settles inside the first sit. The mantra starts arriving unprompted at around two weeks. Judge the practice at 40 days, which is the traditional container for exactly this reason.
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Chant it in your own voice
Record the mantra once, loop it hands-free, and let the app count the mala for you.