For whom to use “om” and for whom to use “sri”

Question

We use "om" to some gods like for example, we say "om namah shivaiah", "om namo vaasu devaiah" Also we use "sri" as "sri vigneshwara", "sri vishnu", "sri rama", "sri krishna" etc.

But I never heard of "sri shiva".

Are there any rules to use "om" and "sri" to gods.

I think we use "sri" to the gods in human form (born on earth) like "sri rama", "sri krishna" (but we wont use "om rama", "om krishna" etc.) but now a days we are hearing "sri vigneshwara" and "sri vishnu" also, are they correct?

If we use "sri" for god in human form (born on earth), then is it correct to say "sri vigneshwara", "sri vishnu" etc

Also "kreem" will be used only to asuraas?

Answer 1

"श्री" literally is used as a form of salutation, as the examples you state. It is also used to signify a start as a form of respect. श्री is often used in beginning of the name and as far as I know there is nothing wrong in saying श्री विष्णू etc. The use depends on what you are doing.

In "ॐ नमः शिवाय" om is used as a beeja matra. Every god has a beeja or the mantra in specific uses certain beeja which are like seeds for e.g. the om: ॐ, Kreem: क्रीं, Shreem: श्रीं, Hroum: ह्रौं, Hreem: ह्रीं etc.

In general shree is used for god in human form is not true. It is also used for others like sarpa, yakshas etc. Shree is more used as a salutation and is a signature of good (शुभ चिंतक). Shree is also used for titles like "shree surya sidhanta", "shree Ganpati Atharvashirsha" etc.

I have no idea why shree is not used before shiva. But for diffrent names of Shiva specifically "mahesh", "mahadev" I have seen people saying shree before them. A reason might be shiva also means auspicious and pure and shree is itself a signifier of auspiciousality hence why would three be shree before shiva?

Edit: I found shree shiva in translation of shiv kavacham in marathi. Thing to be noted is that the translations differ as well as in the original sanskrit shiv kavach "shree shiv" is not present. The meaning of line is " shree shiva takes the form of rushbha and moves towards the earth".

Answer 2

DIRECT ANSWER:

Aum is to be used always before all the Gods.

Shree is The Respect title for addressing us to the Gods.

Kreem is not necessarily for Asuras as far as I am concerned.

Aum is the Embodiement sound of the Unmanifest. Omkara is both Shiva both Vishnu and related to all the Devas.

Shree is usually put as Higher the consideration of That Swaroopa or Deva is. Shree Ganesha and Shree Hanuman Are the Examples also Of course Shree Shiva may exist but usually I have heard:

Shiva is Sada Shiva Param Ishwara Such as Shakti is Para Shakti In many mantras and stotrams.

While I have heard:

Shree Ganeshaya Namaha Or

Shree Guru Charana Sarooja Rajanija In the first Doha of Hanuman Chalisa, referring to Hanuman as Shree.

But until now Shree Shiva in the mantras, shlokas or shatakams in Sanskrit it is more rare.

The majority of these dedications to Shiva involves synonims or other names of Him by using Sada Shivaya as to refer to Him respectfully.

But by using logic, one can state Shree Shiva could be used as to address to Shiva.

While we can consider Shree Vishnu as like Shreeman Narayana Shree Vishnu

Shree Pratyagiri also, which is a Form of Maa Lakshmi when Vishnu became Narashima.

OTHER HINTS:

Kreem, Klim, Gloum etc are all Syllables to call for a Quality Task associated with Devas or Gods.

Examples in Chamundaye Vicche mantra

Because She destroyed Chamunda Asuras we chant Om Aim Hreem Klim Chamundaye Vicche, which Syllables after AUM, do refer to what She do and perform in that situation, repeated into similar situations.

Other and most beautiful example is Shiva Maha Kalabhairava Stotram " Yam Yam Yam Yaksha Roopa "in which any each one of the syllables call for a task and a quality and a ability of Sada Shiva. See the link below

Also Na Ma Shi Va Ya itself do refer to Elements.

The beejas = seeds sounds do associates with all the chakras too.

Macro and Micro Cosmo Balanced through Devotion Bhakti to the Gods.

Sources: https://www.templepurohit.com/mantras-slokas-stotras/lord-shiva-mantras-slokas-stotram/maha-kala-bhairava-stotram/

This answer from another user: https://hinduism.stackexchange.com/a/19446/22667