🕉️ Nirvana Shatakam (Atma Shatakam)

By Adi Shankaracharya | Advaita Vedanta

चिदानन्द रूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम्

Chidānanda Rūpaḥ Śivo'ham Śivo'ham

"I am of the nature of pure consciousness-bliss — I am Shiva, I am Shiva."

Nirvana Shatakam (Atma Shatakam) is Adi Shankaracharya's masterwork presenting the essence of Advaita Vedanta. Each verse uses the Neti Neti (not this, not this) method to reveal the true nature of the Self — pure consciousness-bliss, Shiva.

Verse 1

मनो बुद्ध्यहंकार चित्तानि नाहम्। न च श्रोत्र जिह्वे न च घ्राण नेत्रे। न च व्योम भूमिर् न तेजो न वायुः। चिदानन्द रूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम्॥

Mano Buddhyahaṃkāra Cittāni Nāham, Na Ca Śrotra Jihve Na Ca Ghrāṇa Netre; Na Ca Vyoma Bhūmir Na Tejo Na Vāyuḥ, Cidānanda Rūpaḥ Śivo'ham Śivo'ham.

Meaning: I am not the mind, intellect, ego, or consciousness. I am not the ears, tongue, nose, or eyes. I am not space, earth, fire, or air. I am of the nature of pure consciousness-bliss — I am Shiva, I am Shiva.

Verse 2

न च प्राण संज्ञो न वै पञ्चवायुः। न वा सप्तधातुर् न वा पञ्चकोशः। न वाक्पाणिपादौ न चोपस्थपायू। चिदानन्द रूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम्॥

Na Ca Prāṇa Saṃjño Na Vai Pañcavāyuḥ, Na Vā Saptadhātur Na Vā Pañcakośaḥ; Na Vākpāṇipādau Na Copasthapāyū, Cidānanda Rūpaḥ Śivo'ham Śivo'ham.

Meaning: I am not the five pranas or the five vital airs, not the seven dhatus or the five koshas. I am not the organs of speech, hands, feet, or the organs of reproduction and elimination. I am of the nature of pure consciousness-bliss — I am Shiva, I am Shiva.

Verse 3

न मे द्वेषरागौ न मे लोभमोहौ। मदो नैव मे नैव मात्सर्यभावः। न धर्मो न चार्थो न कामो न मोक्षः। चिदानन्द रूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम्॥

Na Me Dveṣarāgau Na Me Lobhamohau, Mado Naiva Me Naiva Mātsaryabhāvaḥ; Na Dharmo Na Cārtho Na Kāmo Na Mokṣaḥ, Cidānanda Rūpaḥ Śivo'ham Śivo'ham.

Meaning: I have neither aversion nor attachment, neither greed nor delusion. I have no arrogance or envy. I seek neither dharma nor wealth, neither desire nor liberation. I am of the nature of pure consciousness-bliss — I am Shiva, I am Shiva.

Verse 4

न पुण्यं न पापं न सौख्यं न दुःखम्। न मन्त्रो न तीर्थं न वेदा न यज्ञाः। अहं भोजनं नैव भोज्यं न भोक्ता। चिदानन्द रूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम्॥

Na Puṇyaṃ Na Pāpaṃ Na Saukhyaṃ Na Duḥkham, Na Mantro Na Tīrthaṃ Na Vedā Na Yajñāḥ; Ahaṃ Bhojanaṃ Naiva Bhojyaṃ Na Bhoktā, Cidānanda Rūpaḥ Śivo'ham Śivo'ham.

Meaning: I have no virtue or vice, no happiness or sorrow. I have no mantra, no pilgrimage, no Vedas, no sacrifice. I am neither food, nor the one who eats, nor the act of eating. I am of the nature of pure consciousness-bliss — I am Shiva, I am Shiva.

Verse 5

न मृत्युर् न शंका न मे जातिभेदः। पिता नैव मे नैव माता न जन्म। न बन्धुर् न मित्रं गुरुर्नैव शिष्यः। चिदानन्द रूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम्॥

Na Mṛtyur Na Śaṃkā Na Me Jātibhedaḥ, Pitā Naiva Me Naiva Mātā Na Janma; Na Bandhur Na Mitraṃ Gururnaiva Śiṣyaḥ, Cidānanda Rūpaḥ Śivo'ham Śivo'ham.

Meaning: I have no death, no doubt, no distinction of caste. I have no father, no mother, no birth. I have no kinsman, no friend, no guru, no disciple. I am of the nature of pure consciousness-bliss — I am Shiva, I am Shiva.

Verse 6

अहं निर्विकल्पो निराकाररूपो। विभुत्वाच्च सर्वत्र सर्वेन्द्रियाणाम्। न चासंगतं नैव मुक्तिर् न मेयः। चिदानन्द रूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम्॥

Ahaṃ Nirvikalpo Nirākārarūpo, Vibhutvācca Sarvatra Sarvendriyāṇām; Na Cāsaṃgataṃ Naiva Muktir Na Meyaḥ, Cidānanda Rūpaḥ Śivo'ham Śivo'ham.

Meaning: I am without alternatives, without form. I pervade everywhere through all the senses. I am neither bound nor seeking liberation, for I need no liberation. I am of the nature of pure consciousness-bliss — I am Shiva, I am Shiva.

📚 Advaita Vedanta Philosophy

Shankaracharya defines the Self via the "Neti Neti" (not this, not this) method. Whatever is changeable — body, mind, intellect, emotion — is not the Self. The Self is eternal, beyond qualities, pure consciousness-bliss identical with Shiva.

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