NIRVANA SHATAKAM - निर्वाणषटकम्
By Sri Adi Shankaracharya
Nirvana Shatakam (निर्वाणषट्कम्, Nirvāṇaṣaṭkam), composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, around 788-820 CE, is one of the most well known among Sanskrit chants through which he declares his own direct and intimate experience of the bliss of Realisation. Also known as 'Atmashatkam' (आत्मषट्कम्, ātmaṣaṭkam), Nirvanashatkam is a composition consisting of six fold śloka (and hence the name Ṣaṭ-ka to mean six-fold) summarizing the basic teachings of Advaita Vedanta, or the Hindu teachings of non-dualism. 'Nirvāṇa' is complete equanimity, peace, tranquility, freedom and joy. 'Ātma' is the True Self.
The story goes as, this great saint, Ādi Śaṅkara was a young boy of eight was wandering in search of a Guru, a True Master near River Narmada. He meets Seer Govinda Bhagavatpada, who asked him: “Who are you?”. In response, Shankara spontaneously composed these six verses in reply. Swami Govindapada accepted Ādi Śaṅkara as his disciple. It was indeed Sri Govindapada who was the Guru for whom Adi Shankara was wandering and searching for. The verses are said to be valued to progress in contemplation practices that lead to Self-Realisation.
Mano Budhyahankaara Chittani Naaham
Na Cha Shrotra Jihve Na Cha Ghraana Netre
Na Cha Vyoma Bhumih Na Tejo Na Vayuh
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Meaning:
I am not mind, nor intellect, nor ego, nor the reflections of inner self.
Neither am I the organs of Hearing (Ears), nor that of Tasting (Tongue), Smelling (Nose) or Seeing (Eyes)
Neither am I the Sky (Vyoma), nor the Earth
(Bhumih), Neither the Fire (Tejo), nor the Air (Vayu)
I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness;
I am Shiva, I am Shiva, The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.
Na Cha Praana Sanjno Na Vai Panchavaayuh
Na Vaa Saptadhaatuh Na Va Panchakoshah
Na Vaak Paani Paadau Na Chopasthapaayuh
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Meaning:
Neither am I the Vital Breath, nor the Five Vital Airs (Prana, Apana, Vyana, Udana and Samana)
Neither am I the Seven Ingredients of the Body (plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow/ nerve and reproductive tissue), nor the Five Sheaths of the Body (Annamaya, Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijnanamaya, Anandamaya Kosha’s)
Neither am I the organ of Speech, nor the organs for Holding (Hand), Movement (Feet) or Excretion or Reproduction
I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness;
I am Shiva, I am Shiva, The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.
Na Me Dvesharaagau Na Me Lobhamohau
Mado Naiva Me Naiva Maatsarya Bhaavah
Na Dharmo Na Chaartho Na Kaamo Na Mokshah
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Meaning:
Neither do I have Hatred, nor Attachment, Neither Greed nor Infatuation
Neither do I have Pride, nor Feelings of Envy and Jealousy
I am Not within the bounds of Dharma (Righteousness), Artha (Wealth), Kama (Desire) and Moksha (Liberation) (the four Purusharthas of life)
I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness;
I am Shiva, I am Shiva, The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.
Na Punyam Na Paapam Na Saukhyam Na Dukham
Na Mantro Na Tirtham Na Vedaa Na Yajnaah
Aham Bhojanam Naiv Bhojyam Na Bhoktaa
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Meaning:
Neither am I bound by Merits nor Sins, neither by Worldly Joys nor by Sorrows
Neither am I bound by Sacred Hymns nor by Sacred Places, neither by Sacred Scriptures nor by Sacrifies
I am Neither Enjoyment (Experience), nor an object to be Enjoyed (Experienced), nor the Enjoyer (Experiencer)
I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness;
I am Shiva, I am Shiva, The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.
Na Mrityushanka Na Me Jaatibhedah
Pitaa Naiva Me Naiva Maataa Na Janma
Na Bandhurna Mitram Guru Naiva Shishyah
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Meaning:
Neither am I bound by Death and its Fear, nor by the rules of Caste and its Distinctions
Neither do I have Father and Mother,
nor do I have Birth
Neither do I have Relations nor Friends, I am neither a Teacher nor a Disciple
I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness;
I am Shiva, I am Shiva, The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.
Aham Nirvikalpo Niraakaara Rupah
Vibhurvyaapya Sarvatra Sarvendriyaanaam
Sada Me Samatvam Na Muktirna Bandhah
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Meaning:
I am Without any Variation, and Without any Form
I am Present Everywhere as the underlying Substratum of everything, and behind all Sense Organs
Neither do I get Attached to anything, nor get Freed from anything
I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness;
I am Shiva, I am Shiva, The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.