SHIVOHAM SHIVOHAM

Presenting Adi Sankara’s Nirvana Shatakam, which summarizes the basic teachings of Advaita Vedanta, or non-dualism. It was written around 788-820 CE. Immerse yourself in the depth and import of the words!

Mano buddhya-hankara chittani naham
Na cha shrotra jihve, na cha ghrana netre
Na cha vyoma bhumirna tejo na vayuhu
Chidananda rupah shivoham shivoham
I am not mind, nor intellect, nor ego, nor the reflections of inner self.
I am not the five senses. I am beyond that. I am not the ether, nor the earth,
nor the fire, nor the wind (i.e. the five elements).
I am indeed that eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva, love and pure consciousness.

Na cha prana sangno na vai pancha vayuh
Na va sapta dhatur na va pancha koshaha
Na vak pani padau na chopastha payoo
Chidananda rupah shivoham shivoham
Neither can I be termed as energy (praana), nor five types of breath (vaayu),
nor the seven material essences (dhaatu), nor the five coverings (panca-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.

Na me dvesha ragau na me lobha mohau
Mado naiva me naiva matsarya bhavah
Na dharmo na chartho na kamo na mokshah
Chidananda rupah shivoham shivoham
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 (kaama),
nor even liberation (moksha).
I am indeed that eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva, love and pure consciousness.

Na punyam na papam na saukhyam na dukham
Na mantro na tirtham na veda na yagnaha
Aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhokta
Chidananda rupah shivoham shivoham
I have neither virtue (punya), nor vice (paapa). I do not commit sins or good deeds,
nor have happiness or sorrow, pain or pleasure. I do not need mantras,
holy places, scriptures, rituals or sacrifices (yajna). 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.

Na me mrutyu shanka na me jati bhedah
Pita naiva me naiva mata na janma
Na bandhur na mitram gurur naiva shishyah
Chidananda rupah shivoham shivoham
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.

Aham nirvikalpo nirakara rupo
Vibhur vyapya sarvatra sarvendriyanam
Sada me samatvam na muktir na bandhah
Chidananda rupah shivoham shivoham
I am all pervasive. I am without any attributes, and without any form.
I have neither attachment to the world, nor to liberation.
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.

Here’s the youtube link to one version:

NB – the Sanskrit translation is not mine, and is from the net.

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