Sivopasana

OVERVIEW

Sivopaasana mantras are part of the mahanārayaṇa upaniṣad, which comprises the 10th (and final) chapter of the taittirīya āraṇyaka. They constitute mantra nos. 16-25 of this chapter.

These are set of Mantrams related to the

1. Installing / consecrating the Shiva linga
2. Prayers to the pancha mukhas (five faces) of Lord Shiva
3. Mantras of salutation to Lord Shiva and the Shiva tattwa

The first mantra is an offering to the Lord almighty that is responsible for the creation, sustenance and dissolution. These contain 22 salutations to the Lord Shiva (and the Shiva linga) as the One responsible for the dissolution and creation beyond that.The second set of five mantras (mantras 2-6) is a set of the salutations to each of the five faces – pancha mukhas of Lord Shiva and detailing the underlying nature / tattwa behind each of these. The sequence of the mantras is to the mukha of Lord Shiva facing West, North, South, East and Upwards respectively.
The third set of four mantras (mantras 7-10) is a set of salutations to the spiritual aspect of Lord Shiva (Rudra-tattwa) by describing various attributes of the Lord.