Nirvana Shatakam, composed by Adi Shankaracharya, is one of the most profound spiritual hymns in Advaita Vedanta. It consists of six verses (shatakam) that reveal the essence of self-realization. Through each verse, Adi Shankaracharya negates identification with the body, mind, senses, and worldly attachments, and instead affirms the eternal truth: “Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham” – I am pure consciousness and bliss, I am Shiva.” This stotra is often recited by seekers of truth, yogis, and devotees of Lord Shiva, as it inspires detachment, inner peace, and realization of the non-dual self (Atman). By chanting Nirvana Shatakam, one transcends ego, material attachments, and false identity, moving closer to the eternal truth of existence.
✨ Nirvana Shatakam is not just a hymn; it is a declaration of the liberated soul.
Translation of Nirvana Shatakam
मनो बुद्ध्यहंकार चित्तानि नाहं
न च श्रोत्रजिह्वे न च घ्राणनेत्रे ।
न च व्योम भूमिर् न तेजो न वायुः
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥ १ ॥
I am not the mind, intellect, ego, or memory.
I am not the senses of hearing, taste, smell, or sight.
I am not the elements of space, earth, fire, or air.
I am the eternal consciousness and bliss – I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
न च प्राणसंज्ञो न वै पञ्चवायुः
न वा सप्तधातुः न वा पञ्चकोशः ।
न वाक्पाणिपादौ न चोपस्थपायू
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥ २ ॥
I am not breath, nor the five vital airs.
I am not the seven components of the body, nor the five sheaths.
I am not speech, hands, feet, or organs of action.
I am the eternal consciousness and bliss – I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
न मे द्वेषरागौ न मे लोभमोहौ
मदो नैव मे नैव मात्सर्यभावः ।
न धर्मो न चार्थो न कामो न मोक्षः
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥ ३ ॥
I have no likes or dislikes, no greed or delusion.
I have no pride or jealousy.
I am beyond dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (desire), or moksha (liberation).
I am the eternal consciousness and bliss – I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
न पुण्यं न पापं न सौख्यं न दुःखं
न मन्त्रं न तीर्थं न वेदा न यज्ञाः ।
अहं भोजनं नैव भोज्यं न भोक्ता
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥ ४ ॥
I am not merit or sin, not happiness or sorrow.
I am not mantras, pilgrimages, scriptures, or rituals.
I am neither the act of eating, the food, nor the eater.
I am the eternal consciousness and bliss – I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
न मृत्युर्न शंका न मे जातिभेदः
पिता नैव मे नैव माता न जन्म ।
न बन्धुर् न मित्रं गुरुर्नैव शिष्यः
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥ ५ ॥
I have no fear of death, no distinction of caste.
I have no father or mother, nor birth.
I have no relation, friend, teacher, or disciple.
I am the eternal consciousness and bliss – I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
अहं निर्विकल्पो निराकाररूपो
विभुत्वाच्च सर्वत्र सर्वेन्द्रियाणाम् ।
न चासंगतं नैव मुक्तिर्न मेयः
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥ ६ ॥
I am beyond duality, I have no form.
I exist everywhere, beyond all senses.
I am unattached, beyond liberation and bondage.
I am the eternal consciousness and bliss – I am Shiva, I am Shiva.