Chidananda Roopah Shivoham
Adi Shankaracharya was an 8th-century Indian Vedic scholar and teacher from Southern India. Adi Shankara was and is still considered the preeminent philosopher in the Advaita Vedanta tradition. He explains the essence of the Upanishads in the Nirvana Shatakam, composed of six slokas or verses (Shatakam) in Sanskrit about the eternal freedom (Nirvana) experienced by not being attached to anything. Using a negation method of Vedic analysis called Neti neti, meaning, "Not this, not that", he emphasizes the non-dual awareness of reality (nondualism), and that we all are indeed just a form of pure consciousness and bliss, as in the eternal Shiva.
Nirvana Shatakam (Atma Shatkam)
Mano Buddhy Ahankara Chittani Naaham Nacha Shrotra Jihve Na Cha Ghrana Netre Nacha Vyoma Bhoomir Na Tejo Na Vayuh Chidananda Roopah Shivoham Shivoham
Na Cha Prana Sangyo Na Vai Pancha Vayu Na Vaa Sapta dhatur Na Vaa Pancha Koshah Na Vak Pani Padam Na Chopastha Payu Chidananda Roopah Shivoham Shivoham
Na Me Dvesha Ragau Na Me Lobha Mohau Mado Naiva Me Naiva Maatsarya Bhavah Na Dharmo Na Chartho Na Kamo Na Mokshah Chidananda Roopah Shivoham Shivoham
Na Punyam Na Papam Na Saukhyam Na Dukham Na Mantro Na Teertham Na Veda Na Yajnaha Aham Bhojanam Naiva Bhojyam Na Bhokta Chidananda Roopah Shivoham Shivoham
Na Me Mrityu Shanka Na Me Jati Bhedah Pita Naiva Me Naiva Mata Na Janma Na Bandhur Na Mitram Gurur Naiva Shishyah Chidananda Roopah Shivoham Shivoham
Aham Nirvikalpo Nirakaara Roopah Vibhut Vyachya Sarvatra Sarvendriyanaam Na Cha Sangatam Naiva Muktir Na Meya Chidananda Roopah Shivoham Shivoham
English Translation:
The Song of the Self
I am not the mind, the intellect, the ego 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 Consciousness, I am Bliss, I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
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 Consciousness, I am Bliss, I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
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 Consciousness, I am Bliss, I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
No virtue or vice, no pleasure or pain. I need no mantras, no pilgrimage, no scriptures or rituals. I am not the experienced, nor the experience itself. I am Consciousness, I am Bliss, I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
I have no fear of death, no caste 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 Consciousness, I am Bliss, I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
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 Consciousness, I am Bliss, I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
