Shiva
Composed by the great philosopher and theologian Adi Shankaracharya, the 'Nirvana Shatkam' (also known as Atma Shatkam) is a profoundly powerful hymn of Advaita Vedanta. The word 'Nirvana' translates to liberation or ultimate peace, and 'Shatkam' means a composition of six verses.
In these six verses, Adi Shankaracharya beautifully captures the deepest truth of human existence. He reveals that we are not the physical body, the mind, the intellect, or the ego. We are completely free from the cycles of birth, death, attachment, and worldly bonds. Our true identity is that of pure consciousness and absolute bliss—we are Shiva (Shivoham). Reciting and meditating upon this stotram is believed to bring immense mental peace and guide one toward self-realization.
Nirvana Shatkam (Lyrics in English)
Mano buddhyahankara chittani naham
Na cha shrotrajihve na cha ghrananetre |
Na cha vyoma bhumirna tejo na vayuh
Chidanandarupah Shivoham Shivoham || 1 ||Na cha pranasamjno na vai panchavayuh
Na va saptadhatuh na va panchakoshah |
Na vakpanipadam na chopasthapayu
Chidanandarupah Shivoham Shivoham || 2 ||Na me dvesharagau na me lobhamohau
Mado naiva me naiva matsaryabhavah |
Na dharmo na chartho na kamo na mokshah
Chidanandarupah Shivoham Shivoham || 3 ||Na punyam na papam na saukhyam na duhkham
Na mantro na tirtham na veda na yajnah |
Aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhokta
Chidanandarupah Shivoham Shivoham || 4 ||Na mrityurna shanka na me jatibhedah
Pita naiva me naiva mata na janmah |
Na bandhurna mitram gururnaiva shishyam
Chidanandarupah Shivoham Shivoham || 5 ||Aham nirvikalpo nirakararupo
Vibhutvaccha sarvatra sarvendriyanam |
Na chasangatam naiva muktirna meyah
Chidanandarupah Shivoham Shivoham || 6 ||
Nirvana Shatkam English Meaning
Verse 1: I am neither the mind, nor the intellect, nor the ego, nor the memory. I am neither the ears, nor the tongue, nor the nose, nor the eyes. I am neither space, nor earth, nor fire, nor wind. I am the eternal form of pure consciousness and bliss; I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
Verse 2: I am neither the vital breath (Prana), nor the five vital airs. I am neither the seven elements of the body, nor the five sheaths (Koshas). I am neither the organ of speech, nor the hands, nor the feet, nor the organs of excretion. I am the eternal form of pure consciousness and bliss; I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
Verse 3: I have neither dislike nor attachment, neither greed nor delusion. I have no pride, nor any feeling of jealousy. I am not bound by Dharma (duty), Artha (wealth), Kama (desire), or Moksha (liberation). I am the eternal form of pure consciousness and bliss; I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
Verse 4: I have neither merit (virtue) nor sin. I have neither happiness nor sorrow. I have no need for mantras, pilgrimages, Vedas, or sacrifices (Yajnas). I am neither the food (experience), nor the one who is fed (the object of experience), nor the eater (the experiencer). I am the eternal form of pure consciousness and bliss; I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
Verse 5: I have no fear of death, nor do I have any doubt or distinction of caste. I have no father, no mother, nor was I ever born. I have no relatives, no friends, no guru, and no disciple. I am the eternal form of pure consciousness and bliss; I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
Verse 6: I am free from all doubts, distinctions, and forms. I am all-pervading and exist everywhere, within all senses. I am neither attached to anything, nor am I looking for liberation (because I am already free). I am the eternal form of pure consciousness and bliss; I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
Nirvan Ashtakam Sanskrit Lyrics
मनोबुद्ध्यहङ्कार चित्तानि नाहं
न च श्रोत्रजिह्वे न च घ्राणनेत्रे ।
न च व्योम भूमिर्न तेजो न वायुः
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम् ॥ 1 ॥न च प्राणसंज्ञो न वै पञ्चवायुः
न वा सप्तधातुः न वा पञ्चकोशः ।
न वाक्पाणिपादं न चोपस्थपायु
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम् ॥ 2 ॥न मे द्वेषरागौ न मे लोभमोहौ
मदो नैव मे नैव मात्सर्यभावः ।
न धर्मो न चार्थो न कामो न मोक्षः
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम् ॥ 3 ॥न पुण्यं न पापं न सौख्यं न दुःखं
न मन्त्रो न तीर्थं न वेदा न यज्ञाः ।
अहं भोजनं नैव भोज्यं न भोक्ता
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम् ॥ 4 ॥न मृत्युर्न शङ्का न मे जातिभेदः
पिता नैव मे नैव माता न जन्मः ।
न बन्धुर्न मित्रं गुरुर्नैव शिष्यं
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम् ॥ 5 ॥अहं निर्विकल्पो निराकाररूपो
विभुत्वाच्च सर्वत्र सर्वेन्द्रियाणाम् ।
न चासङ्गतं नैव मुक्तिर्न मेयः
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम् ॥ 6 ॥
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