निर्वाण षट्कम् (आत्म षट्कम्) — Benefits & How to Chant
निर्वाण षट्कम् (आत्म षट्कम्)
Complete guide to chanting correctly for maximum benefit
Benefits of Chanting निर्वाण षट्कम् (आत्म षट्कम्)
Composed by Adi Shankaracharya, this is the supreme hymn of Advaita Vedanta
chanted to realise the Self (Atman) as pure consciousness-bliss, beyond body and mind.
By negating all that one is not ('neti neti') and affirming 'Shivoham' (I am Shiva), it steadies the mind in the awareness of the deathless, formless Self.
Recited for inner peace, fearlessness and detachment, dissolving identification with body, ego, and the pairs of pleasure and pain.
A favourite of seekers and meditators, recited at the start of meditation and study of Vedanta, and on Maha Shivaratri.
Chanted with Om Namah Shivaya and the Shiva stotras as a contemplation on the Self that is Shiva.
How to Chant निर्वाण षट्कम् (आत्म षट्कम्)
Instructions
Sit quietly in a meditative posture, settle the breath, and recite each verse slowly, dwelling on its meaning — negating identification with body, mind and ego, and resting in the refrain 'Chidananda-rupah Shivoham, Shivoham' (I am consciousness-bliss, I am Shiva). It is a contemplation as much as a chant.
Spiritual Significance
It is said that hearing these six verses, the sage Govinda Bhagavatpada recognised the boy Shankara as one already established in the Self and accepted him as his disciple; the hymn has since been the seeker's own answer to the question 'Who am I?'
Origin & History
Source: Composed by Adi Shankaracharya
Author: Adi Shankaracharya
Tradition holds that the young Shankara, in search of a master, was asked by the sage Govinda Bhagavatpada, 'Who are you?' In reply he sang these six verses, the Nirvana Shatkam — declaring that he was not the body, the senses, the mind or the ego, not bound by birth or death, but the formless Self, consciousness and bliss itself: 'Shivoham, Shivoham.' It stands as one of the clearest statements of Advaita Vedanta.