Shankaracharya : Nirvana Hymn

This hymn to Nirvana, or the eternal bliss that appears with the extinction of separation and the realisation of Oneness, is usually called Nirvana Shatakam, the latter word being a term that refers to the form of six poetic stanzas. Shankaracharya speaks of Shiva not as one of many gods, but as the eternal essence of consciousness, beyond name and form. For more about the Advaita master Shankaracharya, see this post.

I am not the mind, the intellect, the ego or the memory,
I am not the ears, the skin, the nose or the eyes,
I am not space, not earth, not fire, water or wind,
I am the form of consciousness and bliss,
I am the eternal Shiva…

I am not the breath, nor the five elements,
I am not matter, nor the five sheaths of consciousness
Nor am I the speech, the hands, or the feet,
I am the form of consciousness and bliss,
I am the eternal Shiva…

There is no like or dislike in me, no greed or delusion,
I know not pride or jealousy,
I have no duty, no desire for wealth, lust or liberation,
I am the form of consciousness and bliss,
I am the eternal Shiva…

No virtue or vice, no pleasure or pain,
I need no mantras, no pilgrimage, no scriptures or rituals,
I am not the experienced, nor the experience itself,
I am the form of consciousness and bliss,
I am the eternal Shiva…

I have no fear of death, no caste or creed,
I have no father, no mother, for I was never born,
I am not a relative, nor a friend, nor a teacher nor a student,
I am the form of consciousness and bliss,
I am the eternal Shiva…

I am devoid of duality, my form is formlessness,
I exist everywhere, pervading all senses,
I am neither attached, neither free nor captive,
I am the form of consciousness and bliss,
I am the eternal Shiva…

2 Replies to “Shankaracharya : Nirvana Hymn”

  1. Alim Reijers

    Dear Pir Nawab,
    This words remind me of:
    .) Exodus 3:14: God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
    .) John 8:58: Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
    With Love, Alim

    Reply

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