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b'Its translation is "salutations (namas) to Shiva", proceeded by the devotional syllable "Om". The syllable "ya" at the end of the mantra denotes an offering. Thus the mantra Om Namah Shivaya actually means " I offer to Shiva a respectful invocation of His Name", and not merely "I respectfully invoke His Name". Om Namah Shivaya mantra is sung by devotees in prayers and recited by yogis in meditation. It is associated with qualities of prayer, divine-love, grace, truth, and blissfulness.'