Nirvana Shatakam

निर्वाण षट्कम् • निर्वाणषट्कम्

Stotram Atman (Self) / Shiva

About

Nirvana Shatakam, also known as Atma Shatakam, is a profound philosophical hymn of six verses composed by Adi Shankaracharya. It encapsulates the essence of Advaita Vedanta, describing the nature of the Self (Atman) as pure consciousness, beyond all limitations of body, mind, and ego. Each verse negates what the Self is NOT, culminating in the declaration 'I am Shiva' - pure consciousness and bliss.

Quick Reference

Author

Adi Shankaracharya

Language

Sanskrit

Verse Count

Source

Composed by Adi Shankaracharya

Benefits

Leads to Self-realization
Removes identification with body and mind
Grants liberation (Moksha)
Destroys ignorance and ego
Brings inner peace and detachment
Awakens spiritual consciousness
Helps in meditation and contemplation

When to Recite

Days	Daily, Particularly during meditation
Times	Morning, During meditation, Before sleep
Occasions	Guru Purnima, Shankaracharya Jayanti, During spiritual retreats
Recommended Count	Once or more during contemplation

Verses

Main Verse 1

मनोबुद्ध्यहंकार चित्तानि नाहं न च श्रोत्रजिह्वे न च घ्राणनेत्रे। न च व्योम भूमिर्न तेजो न वायुः चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम्॥

Mano Buddhi Ahankara Chittani Naham Na Cha Shrotra Jihve Na Cha Ghrana Netre | Na Cha Vyoma Bhumir Na Tejo Na Vayuh Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham ||

Main Verse 2

न च प्राणसंज्ञो न वै पञ्चवायुः न वा सप्तधातुः न वा पञ्चकोशः। न वाक्पाणिपादं न चोपस्थपायु चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम्॥

Na Cha Prana Samjno Na Vai Pancha Vayuh Na Va Sapta Dhatuh Na Va Pancha Koshah | Na Vak Pani Padam Na Chopastha Payu Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham ||

Main Verse 3

न मे द्वेषरागौ न मे लोभमोहौ मदो नैव मे नैव मात्सर्यभावः। न धर्मो न चार्थो न कामो न मोक्षः चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम्॥

Na Me Dvesha Ragau Na Me Lobha Mohau Mado Naiva Me Naiva Matsarya Bhavah | Na Dharmo Na Chartho Na Kamo Na Mokshah Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham ||

Main Verse 4

न पुण्यं न पापं न सौख्यं न दुःखं न मन्त्रो न तीर्थं न वेदा न यज्ञाः। अहं भोजनं नैव भोज्यं न भोक्ता चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम्॥

Na Punyam Na Papam Na Saukhyam Na Duhkham Na Mantro Na Tirtham Na Veda Na Yajnah | Aham Bhojanam Naiva Bhojyam Na Bhokta Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham ||

Main Verse 5

न मृत्युर्न शंका न मे जातिभेदः पिता नैव मे नैव माता न जन्म। न बन्धुर्न मित्रं गुरुर्नैव शिष्यः चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम्॥

Na Mrityur Na Shanka Na Me Jati Bhedah Pita Naiva Me Naiva Mata Na Janma | Na Bandhur Na Mitram Gurur Naiva Shishyah Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham ||

Main Verse 6 Closing

अहं निर्विकल्पो निराकाररूपो विभुत्वाच्च सर्वत्र सर्वेन्द्रियाणाम्। न चासंगतं नैव मुक्तिर्न मेयः चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम्॥

Aham Nirvikalpo Nirakara Rupo Vibhutvaccha Sarvatra Sarvendriyaanam | Na Chasangatam Naiva Muktir Na Meyah Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham ||