Atma-Shatakam / Nirvana Shatakam

Atma-Shatakam / Nirvana Shatakam
The Song of the Self
by AdiShankara788-820 CE
The great AdiShankara (first Shankaracharya) of the eighth century summarized the entirety of Advaita Vedanta (non-dualistic philosophy) in six stanzas. When a young boy of eight, while wandering in the Himalayas, seeking to find his guru, he encountered a sage who asked him, "Who are you?" The boy answered with these stanzas, which are known as "Nirvana Shatakam" or "AtmaShatakam." "Nirvana" is complete equanimity, peace, tranquility, freedom and joy. "Atma" is the True Self. The sage the boy was talking to was Swami GovindapadaAcharya, who was, indeed, the teacher he was looking for.

These few verses can be of tremendous value to progress in contemplation practices that lead to Self-Realization.

ChidanandaRupaShivohamShivoham

Mano BuddhiAhankaraChittaNinaham
NachaShrotraJihve Na Cha GhranaNetre
NachaVyomaBhoomir Na Tejo Na Vayu
ChidanandaRupaShivoham

Na Cha PranaSamjno Na VaiPanchaVayu
Na VaSaptadhatur Na VaPanchaKoshah
Na VakPaniPadau Na ChopasthaPayu
ChidanandaRupaShivohamShivoham

Na Me DveshaRagau Na Me LobhaMohau
MadoNaiva Me NaivaMatsaryaBhavah
Na Dharmo Na Chartho Na Kamo Na Mokshah
ChidanandaRupaShivohamShivoham

Na Punyam Na Papam Na Saukhyam Na Dukham
Na Mantro Na Teertham Na Vedo Na Yajnaha
AhamBhojanamNaivaBhojyam Na Bhokta
ChidanandaRupaShivohamShivoham

Na Me MrityuShanka Na Me JatiBhedah
Pita Naiva Me Naiva Mata Na Janma
Na Bandhur Na MitramGururNaivaShishyah
ChidanandaRupaShivohamShivoham

AhamNirvikalpoNirakaraRoopaha
VibhurVyapyaSarvatraSarvendriyanam
Sada Me Samatvam Na Muktir Na Bandhah
ChidanandaRupaShivohamShivoham
 

1)	I am not mind, nor intellect, nor ego,     nor the reflections of inner self (chitta). I am not the five senses. I am beyond that. I am not the ether, nor the earth,     nor the fire, nor the wind (the five elements). I am indeed,     That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,     love and pure consciousness.
2)	Neither can I be termed as energy (prana),     nor five types of breath (vayus),     nor the seven material essences,     nor the five coverings (pancha-kosha). Neither am I the five instruments of elimination,     procreation, motion, grasping, or speaking. I am indeed,     That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,     love and pure consciousness.
3)	I have no hatred or dislike,     nor affiliation or liking,     nor greed,     nor delusion,     nor pride or haughtiness,     nor feelings of envy or jealousy. I have no duty (dharma),     nor any money,     nor any desire (kama),     nor even liberation (moksha). I am indeed,     That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,     love and pure consciousness.
4)	I have neither merit (virtue),     nor demerit (vice). I do not commit sins or good deeds,     nor have happiness or sorrow,     pain or pleasure. I do not need mantras, holy places,     scriptures (Vedas), rituals or sacrifices (yagnas). I am none of the triad of     the observer or one who experiences,     the process of observing or experiencing,     or any object being observed or experienced. I am indeed,     That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,     love and pure consciousness.
5)	I do not have fear of death,     as I do not have death. I have no separation from my true self,     no doubt about my existence,     nor have I discrimination on the basis of birth. I have no father or mother,     nor did I have a birth. I am not the relative,     nor the friend,     nor the guru,     nor the disciple. I am indeed,     That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,     love and pure consciousness.
6)	I am all pervasive. I am without any attributes,     and without any form. I have neither attachment to the world,     nor to liberation (mukti). I have no wishes for anything     because I am everything,     everywhere,     every time,     always in equilibrium. I am indeed,     That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,     love and pure consciousness.