 Legend has it that the holy river Ganges (or Ganga) is in fact a representation of Lord Shiva's long hair.Some texts refer to the five letters as the forms of Shiva - Na-gendra (one who wears a garland of snakes), Ma-ndakini Salila (one who is bathed by the water of the Ganges), Shi (the supreme Lord), Va-shishta (one who is praised by the sages like Vashishta), and Ya-ksha (one who takes the form of Yaksha).The Om Namah Shivaya mantra or chant consists of six syllables - om, na, mah, shi, vaa, ya.