Nirvana Shatakam (or Atma Shatakam) by Adi Shankara – Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham

Nirvana Shatakam, also known as Atma Shatakam, is a composition consisting of six shlokas (and hence the name Sat-ka to mean six-fold) written by Adi Shankara, summarizing the basic spiritual teachings of Advaita Vedanta, or the Hindu teachings of nondualism.

This hymn is considered as synonymous with the path of brahmacharya.

Adi Shankara was a theologian and philosopher from India who centralized the doctrine of non-dualism, Advaita Vedanta.

The speaker of the poem is nominally Lord Shiva, but it is commonly seen as a statement by a knowing person of identity with Brahman or Lord Shiva. It was written around 788-820 CE.

It is said that when Adi Shankara was a young boy of 8 years and wandering near River Narmada, seeking to find his spiritual teacher, he encountered the seer Gaudapada who asked him, „Who are you?.”

Adi Shankara replied with these stanzas, which are known as „Atma Satkam” or „Nirvaṇa Satkam”. This chant is held at great value for the progress in meditative practices that lead to Self-Realization.

Nirvana Shatakam (or Atma Shatakam) Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham complete lyrics with translation in English:

Shloka 1

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.

I am not the mind, the ego, the intellect or the memory,

I am not the ears, the skin, the nose or the eyes,

I am not space, not earth, not fire, water or wind,

I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, love and pure consciousness,

I am the eternal Lord Shiva.

Shloka 2

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 breath, nor the five elements,

I am not matter, nor the five sheaths of consciousness

Nor am I the speech, the hands, or the feet,

I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, love and pure consciousness,

I am the eternal Lord Shiva.

Shloka 3

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.

There is no like or dislike in me, no greed or delusion,

I know not pride or jealousy,

I have no duty, no desire for wealth, lust or liberation,

I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, love and pure consciousness,

I am the eternal Lord Shiva.

Shloka 4

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.

No virtue or vice, no pleasure or pain,

I need no mantras, no scriptures, no pilgrimage or rituals,

I am not the experienced, nor the experience itself,

I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, love and pure consciousness,

I am the eternal Lord Shiva.

Shloka 5

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 have no caste, no fear of death or creed,

I have no father, no mother, for I was never born,

I am not a relative, nor a friend, nor a teacher nor a student,

I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, love and pure consciousness,

I am the eternal Lord Shiva.

READ MORE: Mantras for Positive Energy

Shloka 6

aham nirvikalpo nirakara rupo

vibhut vatcha sarvatra sarvendriyanam

na cha sangatham naiva muktir na meyaha

chidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham.

I am devoid of duality, my form is formlessness,

I exist everywhere, pervading all senses,

I am neither attached, neither free nor captive,

I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, love and pure consciousness,

I am the eternal Lord Shiva.

Listen to more sacred hymns on insightstate, such as – Kundalini Mantras, or Om Shrim Shriyei Namaha Mantra.