निर्वाण षट्कम् (आत्म षट्कम्) — Word-by-Word Meaning
निर्वाण षट्कम् (आत्म षट्कम्)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
चिदानन्दरूपः
Chidananda-rupah
Of the very nature of consciousness (chit) and bliss (ananda)
शिवोऽहम्
Shivoham
'I am Shiva' — I am the auspicious, pure Self (the refrain of every verse)
मनोबुद्ध्यहंकार
Mano-buddhy-ahankara
Mind, intellect and ego — the inner instruments the Self is not
निर्विकल्पः
Nirvikalpa
Without thought-constructs or division; the undivided Absolute
पञ्चकोशः
Pancha-kosha
The five sheaths (food, breath, mind, intellect, bliss) that veil the Self
Complete Translation
I am not the mind, the intellect, the ego or the memory; nor the ears or the tongue, nor the nose or the eyes; nor space, earth, fire or air. I am the form of consciousness and bliss — I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
I am not the vital breath (prana), nor the five airs; nor the seven bodily elements (dhatus), nor the five sheaths (koshas); nor speech, hands, feet, or the organs of procreation and excretion. I am the form of consciousness and bliss — I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
I have no aversion or attachment, no greed or delusion; no pride, nor any feeling of envy; I am beyond dharma (duty), artha (wealth), kama (desire) and moksha (liberation). I am the form of consciousness and bliss — I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
I am neither merit nor sin, neither pleasure nor pain; neither sacred chant, nor holy place, nor Vedas, nor sacrifice; I am neither the eating, nor the food, nor the eater. I am the form of consciousness and bliss — I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
I have no fear of death, nor any distinction of caste; I have no father, no mother, indeed no birth; no kinsman, no friend, no teacher and no disciple. I am the form of consciousness and bliss — I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
I am without thought or change (nirvikalpa), of formless nature; pervading all, present within all the senses everywhere; I am neither bound nor liberated, nor a thing to be known. I am the form of consciousness and bliss — I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
Origin & History
Source: Composed by Adi Shankaracharya
Author: Adi Shankaracharya
Period: 8th century CE
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nirvana Shatkam?▼
The Nirvana Shatkam (also called Atma Shatkam) is a six-verse hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya, the great teacher of Advaita Vedanta. Each verse negates identification with body, mind, emotions and circumstance, and ends with the affirmation 'Chidananda-rupah Shivoham' — 'I am consciousness-bliss, I am Shiva.'
What does 'Shivoham' mean?▼
'Shivoham' means 'I am Shiva' — not the personal deity alone, but the pure, auspicious, formless Self (Atman) that is one with the Absolute. The refrain affirms that one's true nature is consciousness and bliss, untouched by the body, mind and the world.
Who wrote the Nirvana Shatkam and why?▼
It was composed by Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE). Tradition says that as a boy seeking a guru, when asked 'Who are you?', he answered with these six verses — declaring that he was not the body or mind but the eternal Self, consciousness-bliss itself.
When should the Nirvana Shatkam be chanted?▼
It is chanted in the quiet of early morning, at the beginning of meditation, before the study of Vedanta, and on Maha Shivaratri. More than a ritual chant, it is a contemplation to be recited slowly while reflecting on the meaning of each verse.
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