Nirvana Shatakam (Shivoham Shivoham) — Lyrics with Meaning
Nirvana Shatakam, also called Atma Shatakam, is a six-verse composition by Adi Shankaracharya. Tradition says young Shankar spoke it when his guru Govindapada asked, 'Who are you?' It declares that I am not the body, mind or senses — I am Shiv, pure awareness and bliss.
Manobuddhyahankarachittani naham na cha shrotrajihve na cha ghrananetre | Na cha vyoma bhumirna tejo na vayuh chidanandarupah shivoham shivoham ||1||
Na cha pranasanjno na vai panchavayuh na va saptadhaturna va panchakoshah | Na vakpanipadam na chopasthapayu chidanandarupah shivoham shivoham ||2||
Na me dvesharagau na me lobhamohau mado naiva me naiva matsaryabhavah | Na dharmo na chartho na kamo na mokshah chidanandarupah shivoham shivoham ||3||
Na punyam na papam na saukhyam na duhkham na mantro na tirtham na veda na yajnah | Aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhokta chidanandarupah shivoham shivoham ||4||
Na me mrityushanka na me jatibhedah pita naiva me naiva mata na janma | Na bandhurna mitram gururnaiva shishyah chidanandarupah shivoham shivoham ||5||
Aham nirvikalpo nirakararupo vibhutvachcha sarvatra sarvendriyanam | Na chasangatam naiva muktirna meyah chidanandarupah shivoham shivoham ||6||
Meaning
Verse 1
Manobuddhyahankarachittani naham na cha shrotrajihve na cha ghrananetre | Na cha vyoma bhumirna tejo na vayuh chidanandarupah shivoham shivoham ||1||
I am not the mind, intellect, ego or memory; not the ears, tongue, nose or eyes; not space, earth, fire or air. I am awareness and bliss — I am Shiv, I am Shiv.
Verse 2
Na cha pranasanjno na vai panchavayuh na va saptadhaturna va panchakoshah | Na vakpanipadam na chopasthapayu chidanandarupah shivoham shivoham ||2||
I am not the life-breath, nor the five vital airs, nor the seven tissues of the body, nor the five sheaths; not speech, hands, feet or any other organ of action. I am awareness and bliss — I am Shiv.
Verse 3
Na me dvesharagau na me lobhamohau mado naiva me naiva matsaryabhavah | Na dharmo na chartho na kamo na mokshah chidanandarupah shivoham shivoham ||3||
I have no hatred or attachment, no greed or delusion, no pride or envy. I am beyond even the four goals — duty, wealth, desire and liberation. I am awareness and bliss — I am Shiv.
Verse 4
Na punyam na papam na saukhyam na duhkham na mantro na tirtham na veda na yajnah | Aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhokta chidanandarupah shivoham shivoham ||4||
I am neither merit nor sin, neither pleasure nor pain; not mantra, pilgrimage, Veda or sacrifice. I am not the act of eating, nor what is eaten, nor the eater. I am awareness and bliss — I am Shiv.
Verse 5
Na me mrityushanka na me jatibhedah pita naiva me naiva mata na janma | Na bandhurna mitram gururnaiva shishyah chidanandarupah shivoham shivoham ||5||
I have no fear of death and no distinction of birth. I have no father, no mother, and was never born. I have no relative, friend, teacher or disciple. I am awareness and bliss — I am Shiv.
Verse 6
Aham nirvikalpo nirakararupo vibhutvachcha sarvatra sarvendriyanam | Na chasangatam naiva muktirna meyah chidanandarupah shivoham shivoham ||6||
I am free of all doubt and without form. Being all-pervading, I am everywhere, in all the senses. I am not bound, I need no liberation, and I cannot be measured. I am awareness and bliss — I am Shiv.
Meanings written in simple language by the KathaMantra team.
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Frequently asked questions
Who wrote the Nirvana Shatakam?
Adi Shankaracharya. Tradition says that on the banks of the Narmada, when his guru Govindapada asked young Shankar 'Who are you?', he answered with these six verses.
What does 'Shivoham' mean?
'Shivoham' means 'I am Shiv'. It expresses the Advaita Vedanta teaching that our true self is not the body or mind but pure awareness, which is not separate from Shiv.
When should it be recited or heard?
Before or after meditation, in the morning or at night with a calm mind. It is also widely sung on Mahashivratri. Reading it slowly while understanding the meaning is best.