Nirvana Shatakam Mantra - Lyrics, Meaning, Benefits, Download

Learn everything about this Yoga mantra that is known to
destroy the ego and raise consciousness

Nirvana Shatakam mantra, written by Adi Shankaracharya over a thousand years ago, is one of the most powerful mantras to attain inner peace.

When someone asked him 'who are you?', he replied in the form of poetry, in which Adi Shankara says that he is Shivoham – the ultimate truth.

Adi Shankara himself recited these stotras for the first time just before his nirvana. Thus the name Nirvana Shatakam.

Nirvana means moksha, Shatakam means six.

Nirvana Shatakam by Mahakatha is also one of the mantras on the Ancient Chants from India - Volume 1 Album.

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Table of Contents

History of the mantra

In these stotras, written in his supreme state of realisation, Adi Shankara explains the state of wisdom and truth.

When Adi Shankara was in Kashi, he used to have his daily bath in the Ganga.

One day, on his way to the Ganga, his way was blocked by a Chandala (belonging to the untouchable caste) whose job was to burn the dead bodies.

Adi Shankara immediately asked him to go away.

The man, instead of moving away, asked Adi Shankara  `who are you?'

Adi Shankara knew that no ordinary man would ask him this question and he realised that the man in front of him was the Lord Kasinath Shiva himself.

Searching for an answer to the question `who are you?'

Adi Shankara went into a deep state of meditation.  

And being in the state of highest consciousness, he identified himself with the ultimate truth of life -- Shivoham. 

Shivoham means `I am Shiva'.  

He wrote down his answers then and there and read it out.

Adi Shankara mostly answered the question "who are you" by saying what/who is not he, instead of just saying who is he!

Adi Shankara was no ordinary soul to have attained the state of `Shivoham' at a very young age.

What lies between realities and false identification is the truth.  The truth, the ultimate truth is Shiva.

Lyrics of the Mantra

Mano buddhi ahankara chittani naaham
No cha shrotravjihve na cha ghraana netre
Na cha vyoma bhumir na tejo na vaayuhu
Chidananda rupah Shivo’ha

Na cha prana sangyo na vai pancha vayuhu
Na va sapta dhatur na va pancha koshah
Na vak pani-padam na chopastha payu
Chidandanda rupah Shivo’ham Shivo’ham

Na me dvesha ragau na me lobha mohau
Na me vai mado naiva matsarya bhavaha
Na dharma na chartho na kamo na mokshaha
Chidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham

Na punyam na papam na saukhyam na duhkham
Na mantra na tirtham na veda na yajnah
Aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhokfa
Chidananda rupah Shivo’ham Shivo’ham

Na me mytyu shanka na mejati bhedaha
Pita naiva me naiva mataa na janmaha
Na bandhur na mitram gurur naiva shishyaha
Chidananda rupah Shivo’ham Shivo’ham

Aham nirvikalpo nirakara rupo
Vibhut vatcha sarvatra sarvendriyanam
Na cha sangatham naiva muktir na meyaha
Chidananda rupah Shivo’ham Shivo’ham

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Meaning of the Mantra

Verse 1:
Mano buddhi ahankara chittani naaham
No cha shrotravjihve na cha ghraana netre
Na cha vyoma bhumir na tejo na vaayuhu
Chidananda rupah Shivo’ha
~
Meaning :

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

Verse 2:
Na cha prana sangyo na vai pancha vayuhu
Na va sapta dhatur na va pancha koshah
Na vak pani-padam na chopastha payu
Chidandanda rupah Shivo’ham Shivo’ham
~
Meaning :

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

Verse 3:
Na me dvesha ragau na me lobha mohau
Na me vai mado naiva matsarya bhavaha
Na dharma na chartho na kamo na mokshaha
Chidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham
~
Meaning :

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

Verse 4:
Na punyam na papam na saukhyam na duhkham
Na mantra na tirtham na veda na yajnah
Aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhokfa
Chidananda rupah Shivo’ham Shivo’ham
~
Meaning :

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

Verse 5:
Na me mytyu shanka na mejati bhedaha
Pita naiva me naiva mataa na janmaha
Na bandhur na mitram gurur naiva shishyaha
Chidananda rupah Shivo’ham Shivo’ham
~
Meaning :

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

Verse 6:
Aham nirvikalpo nirakara rupo
Vibhut vatcha sarvatra sarvendriyanam
Na cha sangatham naiva muktir na meyaha
Chidananda rupah Shivo’ham Shivo’ham
~
Meaning :

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

Benefits of listening to Nirvana Shatakam Mantra

The Nirvana Shatakam mantra holds several benefits for the mind of both the chanter and the listener.

Listening to this mantra along with meditation helps you in the following ways.

Benefit 1 - Positive vibes
Chanting and listening to Nirvana Shatakam once a day can produce extremely positive vibes around you

Benefit 2 - Negate anxiety and depression
Recite it to deal with anxiety and depression. It serves as the best medicine to get rid of these negative emotions

Benefit 3 - Emotional stability
You can achieve an eternal state of calmness even in stressful situations of life

Benefit 4 - Let go of jealousy and greed
You start getting rid of unwanted attachments

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