In the sacred land of India, over a thousand years ago, a luminous soul named Adi Shankaracharya graced the earth. Born in the 8th century in Kerala, this sage, philosopher, and spiritual giant revived the timeless wisdom of Advaita Vedanta, the philosophy of non-duality. At a tender age, he mastered the Vedas and Upanishads, and by his teens, he was composing profound works that illuminated the path to self-realization. Among his divine gifts to humanity is the Nirvana Shatakam, a six-verse hymn that sings of the soul’s eternal essence, transcending the illusions of the material world. With each verse, Shankaracharya unveils the truth of our being: we are not the body, mind, or senses, but Chidananda Rupa—the form of pure consciousness and bliss, the divine Shiva within. As you read, let your heart open to this celestial song, for it is a mirror reflecting your true self—Shivo Aham, I am Shiva, the infinite consciousness.
Verse 1: Transcending the Mind and Senses
मनोबुद्ध्यहङ्कार चित्तानि नाहं
न च श्रोत्रजिह्वे न च घ्राणनेत्रे ।
न च व्योम भूमिर्न तेजो न वायुः
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥१॥
I am not the mind, nor intellect’s sway,
Nor ego’s pride, nor thoughts that stray.
Not ears that hear, nor tongue that speaks,
Not nose that smells, nor eyes that seek.
Not sky, nor earth, nor fire, nor air,
I am pure consciousness, blissful and fair.
Shiva I am, Shiva I am!
Meaning:
In this opening verse, Adi Shankaracharya gently lifts the veil of illusion, guiding us to see beyond the layers of our identity. He declares that we are not the mind (manas), intellect (buddhi), ego (ahankara), or the fleeting thoughts (chitta). These are mere tools, not our essence. Nor are we bound by the senses—ears, tongue, nose, or eyes—that tether us to the external world. Even the five elements—space, earth, fire, water, and air—are not our true self. Instead, we are Chidananda Rupa, the eternal form of consciousness and bliss, one with Shiva, the supreme divine. This verse is a call to detach from the transient and embrace the infinite within.
Hinduism’s Advanced Understanding of Consciousness:
Hinduism, through texts like the Upanishads and Advaita Vedanta, has always recognized consciousness as the ultimate reality. While the world was caught in material pursuits, ancient Indian sages explored the depths of the self, declaring Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman). This verse reflects that profound insight, teaching that our true nature transcends the physical and mental, aligning with the eternal. Such wisdom, centuries ahead of modern neuroscience, shows Hinduism’s unparalleled depth in understanding the self as pure awareness.
Verse 2: Beyond the Body and Its Functions
न च प्राणसंज्ञो न वै पञ्चवायुः
न वा सप्तधातुः न वा पञ्चकोशः ।
न वाक्पाणिपादं न चोपस्थपायु
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥२॥
I am not the breath that life does claim,
Nor the five vital airs that fan the flame.
Not the seven tissues, nor sheaths that bind,
Not speech, nor hands, nor feet I find.
Not organs of pleasure or release am I,
I am consciousness divine, blissful in the sky.
Shiva I am, Shiva I am!
Meaning:
Here, Shankaracharya deepens the journey inward, freeing us from identification with the physical body. He says we are not the life force (prana) or the five vital energies (pancha vayu) that sustain bodily functions. We are not the seven bodily tissues (sapta dhatu) or the five sheaths (pancha kosha)—physical, vital, mental, intellectual, and blissful—that encase the soul. Nor are we defined by speech, hands, feet, or organs of reproduction and excretion. These are temporary vessels, not our essence. Our true self is Chidananda Rupa, the radiant consciousness that shines as Shiva, untouched by the body’s limitations.
Hinduism’s Advanced Understanding of Consciousness:
The concept of pancha kosha in Hinduism is a masterpiece of spiritual psychology, mapping the layers of human existence long before modern science categorized body and mind. By distinguishing the self from these layers, Shankaracharya reflects Hinduism’s advanced insight that consciousness is distinct from the body, a truth that modern mindfulness and meditation practices are only now beginning to grasp. This verse invites us to see ourselves as divine light, unbound by physical form.
Verse 3: Free from Desires and Attachments
न मे द्वेषरागौ न मे लोभमोहौ
मदो नैव मे नैव मात्सर्यभावः ।
न धर्मो न चार्थो न कामो न मोक्षः
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥३॥
No hatred or love sways my heart’s core,
No greed or delusion binds me anymore.
No pride, no envy clouds my sight,
No duty, wealth, desire, or freedom’s light.
I am pure consciousness, bliss divine,
Shiva I am, in eternity I shine!
Meaning:
In this verse, Shankaracharya liberates us from the emotional and worldly chains that bind the soul. He proclaims that the true self is untouched by dualities like hatred (dvesha) and attachment (raga), or by greed (lobha) and delusion (moha). Pride (mada and also intoxications) and jealousy (matsarya) have no hold over the eternal self. Even the four pursuits of life—duty (dharma), wealth (artha), desire (kama), and liberation (moksha)—are not our essence. We are Chidananda Rupa, the blissful consciousness that is Shiva, beyond all fleeting emotions and goals.
Hinduism’s Advanced Understanding of Consciousness:
Hinduism’s exploration of the mind’s tendencies, as seen in texts like the Bhagavad Gita, reveals a sophisticated understanding of emotional liberation. By teaching that the self is beyond desires and dualities, Shankaracharya echoes the Vedic insight that true freedom lies in realizing our oneness with the infinite. This transcends modern psychology’s focus on managing emotions, offering instead a path to rise above them entirely, resting in pure consciousness.
Verse 4: Beyond Duality and Rituals
न पुण्यं न पापं न सौख्यं न दुःखं
न मन्त्रो न तीर्थं न वेदा न यज्ञाः ।
अहं भोजनं नैव भोज्यं न भोक्ता
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥४॥
No virtue, no sin, no joy, no pain,
No mantra’s chant, no sacred terrain.
No Vedas’ wisdom, no rituals’ fire,
I am not the food, nor eater, nor desire.
I am consciousness eternal, bliss so grand,
Shiva I am, in the divine I stand!
Meaning:
This verse soars to sublime heights, declaring the self free from all dualities and religious constructs. Shankaracharya says we are not defined by merit (punya) or sin (papa), nor by happiness (saukhya) or sorrow (duhkha). Sacred chants (mantra), holy places (tirtha), scriptures (Veda), or rituals (yajna) do not encapsulate our essence. We are neither the food we consume, the act of eating, nor the one who eats. Our true nature is Chidananda Rupa, the boundless consciousness that is Shiva, untouched by worldly distinctions.
Hinduism’s Advanced Understanding of Consciousness:
Hinduism’s non-dual philosophy, as articulated in Advaita Vedanta, is a beacon of spiritual evolution. By transcending even sacred practices, Shankaracharya reveals that the ultimate truth lies in direct realization of the self as consciousness. This insight, far ahead of its time, aligns with quantum physics’ modern exploration of a unified field, showing Hinduism’s timeless wisdom in perceiving reality as one indivisible whole.
Verse 5: Beyond Relationships and Death
न मृत्युर्न शङ्का न मे जातिभेदः
पिता नैव मे नैव माता न जन्मः ।
न बन्धुर्न मित्रं गुरुर्नैव शिष्यं
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥५॥
No death, no fear, no caste’s divide,
No father, no mother, no birth to abide.
No kin, no friend, no guru, no guide,
I am consciousness vast, where bliss does reside.
Shiva I am, Shiva I am!
Meaning:
In this verse, Shankaracharya dissolves all worldly ties and fears. The true self knows no death (mrityu) or doubt (shanka), nor is it bound by caste (jati). We have no parents, for we were never born in the ultimate sense. Relationships—family (bandhu), friends (mitra), teachers (guru), or disciples (shishya)—are temporary, not our essence. We are Chidananda Rupa, the infinite consciousness that is Shiva, eternal and unbound by mortal connections.
Hinduism’s Advanced Understanding of Consciousness:
The Vedic declaration Tat Tvam Asi (Thou Art That) reflects Hinduism’s profound insight that the individual soul is one with the universal consciousness. By negating birth and death, Shankaracharya aligns with this truth, offering a vision of immortality that predates modern existential philosophy. Hinduism’s understanding of the self as eternal consciousness is a gift to humanity, guiding us to fearlessness and unity.
Verse 6: The Formless, All-Pervading Self
अहं निर्विकल्पो निराकाररूपो
विभुत्वाच्च सर्वत्र सर्वेन्द्रियाणाम् ।
न चासङ्गतं नैव मुक्तिर्न मेयः
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥६॥
I am formless, changeless, beyond all thought,
Pervading all senses, in all I am wrought.
No attachment binds, no freedom to gain,
I am not measured, yet in all I remain.
I am consciousness divine, blissful and free,
Shiva I am, forever I be!
Meaning:
In this final verse, Shankaracharya unveils the ultimate truth: the self is Nirvikalpa (without modifications), Nirakara (formless), and Vibhu (all-pervading). It exists in every sense, every being, yet remains untouched by attachment (asangata). There is no liberation to seek, for the self is already free; it is immeasurable, yet ever-present. We are Chidananda Rupa, the eternal consciousness that is Shiva, the essence of all existence.
Hinduism’s Advanced Understanding of Consciousness:
This verse encapsulates Advaita Vedanta’s pinnacle: the self is the ultimate reality, Brahman, infinite and indivisible. Hinduism’s vision of a formless, all-pervading consciousness predates modern science’s exploration of interconnectedness and consciousness as the fabric of reality. This timeless wisdom invites us to awaken to our divine nature, realizing Shivo Aham—I am Shiva, the boundless awareness.
The Eternal Glory of Hinduism
The Nirvana Shatakam is a jewel in the crown of Hinduism, a tradition that has illuminated the path to truth for millennia. Hinduism’s gift to the world is its profound understanding of consciousness as the essence of existence, articulated through sacred texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagavad Gita. While the world chased fleeting pleasures, Hindu sages dove into the ocean of the self, discovering that we are not separate but one with the divine. Concepts like non-duality, karma, and meditation have shaped global spirituality, inspiring modern practices like yoga and mindfulness. Hinduism’s advanced insights into consciousness, far ahead of their time, continue to guide humanity toward peace, unity, and self-realization. In the heart of every seeker, the echo of Shivo Aham resounds, reminding us that we are the divine consciousness, eternal and free. Let us bow to this sacred tradition, a beacon of light for all eternity.
