Nirvana Shatakam: Meaning, Healing Power & Significance
Nirvana Shatakam, also known as Atma Shatakam, is a six-verse Sanskrit hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya. This profound composition emphasizes the realization of the true self beyond physical and material existence. It is a powerful meditation mantra that helps seekers transcend their ego, attachments, and dualities of life.
About Nirvana Shatakam
Origins and Composition
Sri Adi Shankaracharya composed Nirvana Shatakam to describe the essence of the self (Atman) beyond worldly illusions. The hymn repeats the phrase "Shivoham, Shivoham" (I am Shiva), affirming the unity of the individual self with the supreme consciousness.
Significance of Nirvana Shatakam
Spiritual Enlightenment
Nirvana Shatakam is a gateway to self-inquiry and enlightenment. It is a fundamental hymn in Advaita Vedanta philosophy, guiding seekers towards realizing their true identity beyond the material world.
Sadhana & Meditation
Regular chanting of Nirvana Shatakam aids in deep meditation and spiritual awakening.
It removes the illusion of maya (worldly attachments) and helps in transcendence.
Practitioners experience inner peace, clarity, and detachment from suffering.
Lyrics of Nirvana Shatakam
Sanskrit (Devanagari) & English Transliteration
Verse 1
Sanskrit (Devanagari)
मनो बुद्ध्यहङ्कार चित्तानि नाहं |
न च श्रोत्रजिह्वे न च घ्राणनेत्रे |
न च व्योम भूमिर्न तेजो न वायुः |
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥१॥
English Transliteration
Mano Buddhi Ahankāra Chittāni Nāham |
Na Cha Śrotra-Jihve Na Cha Ghrāṇa Netre |
Na Cha Vyoma Bhūmir Na Tejo Na Vāyuḥ |
Chidānanda Rūpaḥ Śivo’ham Śivo’ham ॥1॥
Meaning in English
I am not the mind, nor the intellect or ego,
Nor the organs of hearing, taste, smell, or sight.
I am not space, nor earth, fire, or air.
I am the form of pure consciousness and bliss. I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
Verse 2
Sanskrit (Devanagari)
न च प्राणसंज्ञो न वै पञ्चवायुः |
न वा सप्तधातुः न वा पञ्चकोशः |
न वाक्पाणिपादं न चोपस्थपायु |
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥२॥
English Transliteration
Na Cha Prāṇa Sañjño Na Vai Pañca Vāyuḥ |
Na Vā Sapta Dhātuḥ Na Vā Pañca Kośaḥ |
Na Vāk Pāṇi Pādaṁ Na Chopastha Pāyū |
Chidānanda Rūpaḥ Śivo’ham Śivo’ham ॥2॥
Meaning in English
I am not the vital force, nor the five vital breaths,
Nor the seven bodily components, nor the five sheaths.
I am not speech, hands, feet, nor the organs of excretion.
I am the form of pure consciousness and bliss. I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
Verse 3
Sanskrit (Devanagari)
न मे द्वेषरागौ न मे लोभमोहौ |
मदो नैव मे नैव मात्सर्यभावः |
न धर्मो न चार्थो न कामो न मोक्षः |
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥३॥
English Transliteration
Na Me Dveṣa Rāgau Na Me Lobha Mohau |
Mado Naiva Me Naiva Mātsarya Bhāvaḥ |
Na Dharmaḥ Na Chārtho Na Kāmo Na Mokṣaḥ |
Chidānanda Rūpaḥ Śivo’ham Śivo’ham ॥3॥
Meaning in English
I have neither hatred nor attachment,
Neither greed nor delusion.
I have neither pride nor jealousy.
I do not belong to righteousness, wealth, desires, or liberation.
I am the form of pure consciousness and bliss. I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
Verse 4
Sanskrit (Devanagari)
न पुण्यं न पापं न सौख्यं न दुःखम् |
न मन्त्रो न तीर्थं न वेदा न यज्ञाः |
अहं भोजनं नैव भोज्यं न भोक्ता |
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥४॥
English Transliteration
Na Puṇyaṁ Na Pāpaṁ Na Saukhyaṁ Na Duḥkham |
Na Mantro Na Tīrthaṁ Na Vedā Na Yajñāḥ |
Ahaṁ Bhojanaṁ Naiva Bhojyaṁ Na Bhoktā |
Chidānanda Rūpaḥ Śivo’ham Śivo’ham ॥4॥
Meaning in English
I am not merit nor sin, neither happiness nor sorrow.
I am not mantra, pilgrimage, Vedas, or sacrifices.
I am neither the enjoyer nor the object of enjoyment, nor the act of enjoyment itself.
I am the form of pure consciousness and bliss. I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
Verse 5
Sanskrit (Devanagari)
न मृत्युर्न शङ्का न मे जातिभेदः |
पिता नैव मे नैव माता न जन्मः |
न बन्धुर्न मित्रं गुरुर्नैव शिष्यं |
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥५॥
English Transliteration
Na Me Mṛtyu Śaṅkā Na Me Jāti Bhedaḥ |
Pitā Naiva Me Naiva Mātā Na Janmaḥ |
Na Bandhur Na Mitraṁ Gurur Naiva Śiṣyaḥ |
Chidānanda Rūpaḥ Śivo’ham Śivo’ham ॥5॥
Meaning in English
I have no fear of death, nor any distinctions of caste.
I have neither father nor mother, nor was I ever born.
I have neither friend nor relative, neither guru nor disciple.
I am the form of pure consciousness and bliss. I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
Verse 6
Sanskrit (Devanagari)
अहं निर्विकल्पो निराकार रूपः |
विभुत्वाच्च सर्वत्र सर्वेन्द्रियाणाम् |
न चासङ्गतं नैव मुक्तिर्न मेयः |
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥६॥
English Transliteration
Ahaṁ Nirvikalpo Nirākāra Rūpaḥ |
Vibhutvācha Sarvatra Sarvendriyāṇām |
Na Chāsaṅgataṁ Naiva Muktir Na Meyāḥ |
Chidānanda Rūpaḥ Śivo’ham Śivo’ham ॥6॥
Meaning in English
I am without thoughts, formless in essence.
I exist in all things, beyond the senses.
I am neither attached nor free, nor am I knowable.
I am the form of pure consciousness and bliss. I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
How to Chant Nirvana Shatakam?
Chant in a peaceful place, preferably during early morning or before meditation.
Focus on the meaning of the verses while chanting.
Recite it 21 or 108 times for deeper impact.
Meditate on the essence of Shiva Consciousness while chanting.
Conclusion
Nirvana Shatakam is not just a hymn; it is a powerful tool for self-discovery, spiritual awakening, and inner healing. Whether you are seeking peace, enlightenment, or liberation, the chanting of this divine composition can guide you to realize your true nature as infinite, blissful consciousness.
