Nirvana Shatkam by Lipsika, Ramya
Nirvana Shatakam by Lipsika & Ramya:
firstly, The Atmashatkam, also known as Nirvanashatkam is a devotional composition consisting of 6 verses or ślokas in Sanskrit, written by the Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara summarizing the basic teachings of Advaita Vedanta, or the Hindu teachings of non-dualism. It was written around 788-820 CE.
Ādi Śaṅkara was a young boy of eight and wandering near River Narmada, seeking to find his guru, he encountered the seer Govinda Bhagavatpada who asked him, “Who are you?”. The boy answered with these stanzas, which are known as “Nirvāṇa Shatkam” or Ātma Shatkam”. However, Swami Govindapada accepted Ādi Śaṅkara as his disciple. The verses are said to be valued to progress in contemplation practices that lead to Self-Realization.
“Nirvāṇa” is complete equanimity, peace, tranquility, freedom and joy. “Ātma” is the True Self.
First of all, Nirvana Shatakam starts with…
Mano budhyahankara chithaa ninaham,
Na cha srothra jihwe na cha graana nethrer,
Na cha vyoma bhoomir na thejo na vayu,
Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham
…….
……and ends with
aham nirvikalpo nirakara rupo
vibhut vatcha sarvatra sarvendriyanam
na cha sangatham naiva muktir na meyaha
chidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham
(Ref Sankaracharya.org website )
Nirvana Shatakam by Lipsika & Ramya Video
However, Nirvana Shatakam, composed by Adi Shankaracharya over a thousand years ago, is one of the most well known among Sanskrit chants.
Sadhguru looks at the significance of the chant and explores what is being conveyed through it.
Sadhguru: Nirvana means “formless.”
First oa all, The Nirvana Shatakam is towards this – you don’t want to be either this or that. If you don’t want to be this nor that, then what do you want to be? Your mind cannot understand this because your mind always wants to be something. If I say, “I don’t want to be this; I don’t want to be that,” you would think, “Oh something super!” Not super. “Oh, so emptiness?” Not emptiness. “Nothingness?” Not nothingness.
That’s what is being conveyed through this chant.
In conclusion, Nirvana Shatakam means the formless. This is in own words. However, you can explain your version in comment section or contact us page.
Go back to Nitya Slokas Page.
