Dashashloki (Nirvana Dashakam)
Dashashloki (Nirvana Dashakam) in English · English
Origin & Story
Ascribed to Adi Shankaracharya · Adi Shankaracharya · Classical
The Dashashloki (Nirvana Dashakam) is traditionally ascribed to Adi Shankaracharya. Adi Shankaracharya’s ten verses of the highest non-dual truth — "I am not earth nor water, fire nor air nor space… I am Shiva alone, the one auspicious Reality, pure consciousness and bliss."
✦ As told in scripture
It is said that to recite the Dashashloki (Nirvana Dashakam) with a sincere and devoted heart is to draw near to the grace of the divine, which never forsakes those who lovingly call upon it.
The Mantra
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oṃ tat sat| bhujaṅgaprayāta | || atha daśaślokī || na bhūmirna toyaṃ na tejo na vāyuḥ na khaṃ nendriyaṃ vā na teṣāṃ samūhaḥ | anekāntikatvāt suṣuptyekasiddhaḥ (anaikāntikatvāt) tadeko'vaśiṣṭaḥ śivaḥ kevalo'ham || 1|| na mātā pitā vā na devā na lokā na vedā na yajñā na tīrthaṃ bruvanti | suṣuptau nirastātiśūnyātmakatvāt tadeko'vaśiṣṭaḥ śivaḥ kevalo'ham || 3|| na cordhvaṃ na cādho na cāntarna bāhyaṃ na madhyaṃ na tiryaṅ na pūrvā'parā dik | viyadvyāpakatvādakhaṇḍaikarūpaḥ tadeko'vaśiṣṭaḥ śivaḥ kevalo'ham || 5|| na śāstā na śāstraṃ na śiṣyo na śikṣā na ca tvaṃ na cāhaṃ na cāyaṃ prapañcaḥ | svarūpāvabodho vikalpāsahiṣṇuḥ tadeko'vaśiṣṭaḥ śivaḥ kevalo'ham || 7|| api vyāpakatvāt hitattvaprayogāt (vyāpakatvāddhitattva) svataḥ siddhabhāvādananyāśrayatvāt | jagat tucchametat samastaṃ tadanyat tadeko'vaśiṣṭaḥ śivaḥ kevalo'ham || 9|| || iti śrīmad śaṃkarācāryaviracitaṃ daśaślokī athavā nirvāṇadaśakastotraṃ samāptaṃ ||
Meaning:Adi Shankaracharya’s ten verses of the highest non-dual truth — "I am not earth nor water, fire nor air nor space… I am Shiva alone, the one auspicious Reality, pure consciousness and bliss."
Benefits of Chanting Dashashloki (Nirvana Dashakam)
Recitation of the Dashashloki (Nirvana Dashakam) is held to bring the grace, blessings and protection of the deity.
Cultivates devotion, calms the mind and steadies the heart in the Lord’s remembrance.
Most auspicious on Mondays, and during Maha Shivaratri and Shravan.
A treasured Sanskrit hymn, suitable for daily recitation with faith.
How to Chant Dashashloki (Nirvana Dashakam)
Bathe and sit facing east or north before an image of the deity. Light a lamp and recite the Dashashloki (Nirvana Dashakam) slowly and with devotion. It may be chanted daily, or especially on Mondays and during Maha Shivaratri and Shravan.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Read the full Dashashloki (Nirvana Dashakam) with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts