Nirvana Shatakam- English Translation and Meaning with Sanskrit Lyrics

Adi Shankaracharya

मनोबुद्ध्यहङ्कार चित्तानि नाहं
न च श्रोत्रजिह्वे न च घ्राणनेत्रे ।
न च व्योम भूमिर्न तेजो न वायुः
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥१॥

mano buddhi ahankara chittani naaham
na cha shrotravjihve na cha ghraana netre
na cha vyoma bhumir na tejo na vaayuhu
chidananda rupah shivo'ham shivo'ham ||1||

I am not the mind, nor the intellect or ego,
 nor the organs of hearing or tasting,
nor the organs of smelling or seeing
I am not the sky, nor earth or fire, nor air
I am the Consciousness, I am Shiva, I am Shiva ||1||

न च प्राणसंज्ञो न वै पञ्चवायुः
न वा सप्तधातुः न वा पञ्चकोशः ।
न वाक्पाणिपादं न चोपस्थपायु
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥२॥

na cha prana sangyo na vai pancha vayuhu
na va sapta dhatur na va pancha koshah
na vak pani-padam na chopastha payu
chidananda rupah shivo'ham shivo'ham

I am not the vital force, nor the five vital air,
nor the seven essential ingredient, nor the five sheaths of body
I am not organs of speech, nor the organs of holding, movement or excretion
 I am the Consciousness, I am Shiva, I am Shiva ||2||

न मे द्वेषरागौ न मे लोभमोहौ
मदो नैव मे नैव मात्सर्यभावः ।
न धर्मो न चार्थो न कामो न मोक्षः
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥३॥

na me dvesha ragau na me lobha mohau
na me vai mado naiva matsarya bhavaha
na dharmo na chartho na kamo na mokshaha
chidananda rupah shivo'ham shivo'ham ||3||

I do not have hatred nor attachment, nor greed or Infatuation,
nor I have pride, nor the feeling of jealousy,
I am not within bounds of dharma(righteousness), artha(wealth),
kama(desires), moksha(liberation),
I am the Consciousness, I am Shiva, I am Shiva ||3||

न पुण्यं न पापं न सौख्यं न दुःखं
न मन्त्रो न तीर्थं न वेदा न यज्ञाः ।
अहं भोजनं नैव भोज्यं न भोक्ता
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥४॥

na punyam na papam na saukhyam na duhkham
na mantro na tirtham na veda na yajnah
aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhokta
chidananda rupah shivo'ham shivo'ham ||4||

I am not bound by good deeds, nor bad deeds, nor happiness or sadness,
nor I am bound by sacred hymns, nor religious places, nor vedas or sacrifices,
I am not the Experience (of enjoyment), nor an object to be enjoyed, nor the enjoyer,
I am the Consciousness, I am Shiva, I am Shiva ||4|| 

न मृत्युर्न शङ्का न मे जातिभेदः
पिता नैव मे नैव माता न जन्मः ।
न बन्धुर्न मित्रं गुरुर्नैव शिष्यं
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥५॥

na me mrtyu shanka na mejati bhedaha
pita naiva me naiva mataa na janmaha
na bandhur na mitram gurur naiva shishyaha
chidananda rupah shivo'ham shivo'ham

I am not bound  by death and it's fear, nor by the caste or creed
I do not have father nor mother, nor do I have birth
I do not have relations or friends, nor guru or disciples,
I am the Consciousness, I am Shiva, I am Shiva ||5||

अहं निर्विकल्पो निराकाररूपो
विभुत्वाच्च सर्वत्र सर्वेन्द्रियाणाम् ।
न चासङ्गतं नैव मुक्तिर्न मेयः
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥६॥

aham nirvikalpo nirakara rupo
vibhut vatcha sarvatra sarvendriyanam
na cha sangatham naiva muktir na meyaha
chidananda rupah shivo'ham shivo'ham ||6||

I am without any variations nor do I have forms,
I am omnipresent, I am present everywhere, pervading all senses,
I do not get attached to anything, nor get freed from anything,
I am the Consciousness, I am Shiva, I am Shiva ||6||

Read Nirvana Shatakam In Sanskrit Lyrics

Read Ram Stuti with in English Translation and Descriptive Meaning

Read Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam in Sanskrit with English Translation and Meaning

 

The Profound Wisdom of Nirvana Shatakam: A Journey to Self-Realization

Introduction

The Nirvana Shatakam, also known as the Atma Shatakam, is a revered six-verse Sanskrit hymn composed by the 8th-century Indian philosopher Adi Shankaracharya. This timeless piece of literature beautifully encapsulates the essence of Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy. In this blog, we will explore the profound teachings embedded within the verses of Nirvana Shatakam and their relevance in our modern-day quest for self-realization and inner peace.

Verse 1: Beyond Body and Mind

"I am not the mind, intellect, ego, or memory. I am not the ears, skin, nose, or eyes. I am not the five elements: space, air, fire, water, and earth. I am pure consciousness, pure bliss, and always auspicious."

The opening verse of the Nirvana Shatakam immediately challenges our conventional understanding of self. It categorically denies the identification with the physical body and mental faculties, reminding us that our true essence transcends these limitations. The verse emphasizes the importance of recognizing oneself as pure consciousness (Chidananda Rupa) and eternal bliss (Shivoham Shivoham).

Verse 2: Beyond Emotions and Attachments

"I am not the prana (life force), nor the five vital airs. I am not the seven constituents of the body, nor the five sheaths. I am not the organs of speech, nor the hands, nor the feet. I am pure consciousness, pure bliss, and always auspicious."

In the second verse, Adi Shankaracharya continues to dismantle the layers of false identification. Here, the text refutes our association with emotions, attachments, and the various components that constitute the human body. By stripping away these layers, the verse guides us to a deeper understanding that our true self is beyond physical and emotional constructs, residing in the realm of pure consciousness.

Verse 3: Beyond Desires and Worldly Attachments

"I have no aversion or attachment, nor greed, nor delusion. I have neither pride nor envy. I have no duty, no desire for wealth, no longing for liberation. I am pure consciousness, pure bliss, and always auspicious."

The third verse addresses the root of human suffering: desires and attachments. By negating the presence of aversion, attachment, greed, and pride, the text highlights the state of equanimity achieved through self-realization. This verse teaches us that liberation is not a goal to be attained through external means but an intrinsic state of being that unfolds naturally when we let go of our ego-driven desires.

Verse 4: Beyond Sin and Virtue

"I have no merits or sins, no joy or sorrow. I have no sacred chants, no pilgrimage, no scriptures. I am neither the food nor the eater, nor the act of eating. I am pure consciousness, pure bliss, and always auspicious."

In this verse, the Nirvana Shatakam transcends the dualistic notions of good and evil, sin and virtue. Adi Shankaracharya emphasizes that the true self is beyond these moral constructs. By identifying as pure consciousness, the verse invites us to rise above the dichotomies of life and embrace a state of inner harmony and peace.

Verse 5: Beyond Death and Immortality

"I have no fear of death, no caste or creed. I have no father, no mother, for I was never born. I am not the relative, the friend, nor the guru. I am pure consciousness, pure bliss, and always auspicious."

The fifth verse delves into the existential aspect of human life. By denying the fear of death and the constraints of social identities, the text liberates us from the shackles of mortality. The verse encourages us to perceive ourselves as eternal beings, untouched by the temporal phenomena of birth and death, and beyond societal roles and relationships.

Verse 6: The Essence of Non-Duality

"I am without form, without limitations. I am beyond time, space, and causation. I am the witness of all phenomena, I am ever detached and ever-present. I am pure consciousness, pure bliss, and always auspicious."

The concluding verse of the Nirvana Shatakam encapsulates the essence of Advaita Vedanta: the realization of one's true self as formless, limitless, and beyond the confines of time and space. This ultimate state of being is characterized by detachment and witnessing all phenomena without attachment or judgment. It is the realization of the self as pure consciousness (Chidananda Rupa) and eternal bliss (Shivoham Shivoham).

Conclusion

The Nirvana Shatakam offers profound insights into the nature of self and reality. By systematically deconstructing the layers of false identification, it guides us towards the realization of our true essence as pure consciousness and eternal bliss. In a world constantly driven by material pursuits and fleeting pleasures, the teachings of Nirvana Shatakam serve as a beacon of light, reminding us of the timeless wisdom that lies within.

Embracing these teachings in our daily lives can lead to a profound transformation, fostering inner peace, equanimity, and a deeper connection with the universal consciousness. As we embark on this journey of self-discovery, let us remember the immortal words of Adi Shankaracharya: "I am pure consciousness, pure bliss, and always auspicious."