Chidandarupah Shivoham Shivoham

I'm Back :D

After the very tragic, unexpected and pointless end of my previous blog, I did not think I would write again for a very long time. But, its better late than never :).

I'd start off this blog by sharing with you the Nirvana Shatakam. It was written by Adi Shankaracharya in the eighth century. He summarized the entirety of Advaita Vedanta (non-dualistic philosophy) in six stanzas. (Not that I have read the Advaita Vedanta, but that is what google said when I searched for Nirvana Shatakam :D)



Manobudhyahankarachithaani naham
Na cha shrothrajihwe na cha ghraananetre |
Na cha vyomabhumirna tejo na vayuh
Chidanandarupah Shivoham Shivoham ||1||

I am not the mind, intellect, memory or ego. I am neither the ears nor tongue. I am not the nose or eyes, or the space, earth, fire or wing. I am the nature of consciousness and limitlessness. I am pure self.


Na cha praanasanyo na vai panchavaayuh
Na vaa saptadhatur na va panchakoshah |
Na vak panipadam na chopasthapayu
Chidanandarupah Shivoham Shivoham ||2||

I am not the life breath, nor am I the five pranas(life forces). I am not the seven constituents of the body, nor am I the five sheaths. I am not the organ of speech or hands and legs. I am neither the genital nor anus. I am the nature of consciousness and limitlessness. I am pure self.


Na me dwesharaghau na me lobhamohau
Madho naiva me naiva matsaryabhava |
Na dharmo na chartha na kamo na mokshah
Chidanandarupah Shivoham Shivoham ||3||

I do not have likes, dislikes, greed or delusion. I do not have pride or jealousy. I do not have persuit of Sharma, security, pleasures or freedom. I am the nature of consciousness and limitlessness. I am pure self.


Na punyam na paapam na soukhyam na dukham
Na mantro na tirtham na veda na yagya |
Aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhokta
Chidanandarupah Shivoham Shivoham ||4||

There is no sin, or goodness or happiness or sorrow for me. No mantra, holy place, Vedas or fire rituals exist for me, I am neither an experience, nor the object of experience no the experience. I am the nature of consciousness and limitlessness. I am pure self.


Na me mrtyushankha na me jati bhedha
Pita naiva me naiva matha na janma |
Na bhandhur na mitram gururnaiva shishyah
Chidanandarupah Shivoham Shivoham ||5||

There is no death or doubts or caste differences in me. There is no father, mother, or birth for me. There is no relative or friend or teacher or student for me. I am the nature of consciousness and limitlessness. I am pure self.


Aham nirvkalpo nirakararoopah
Vibhuthwascha sarvatra sarvendriyanaam |
Na chasangato naiva muktirna bandhah
Chidanandarupah Shivoham Shivoham ||6||

I am free of thoughts, and free of forms. I am connected to am sense organs as I pervade everywhere. There is no freedom or bondage in me. I am the nature of consciousness and limitlessness. I am pure self.


Isn’t it fascinating, that the Vedas, first lay down all the rules of conduct, the caste system, the norms of the society, the five fold path, and in the end wash away all of it in Advaita Vedanta. Truth is contradictory (and confusing). 
This is from where my journey begins and this is where it would end. This shloka is not something I fully understand. I mean, If I did, wouldn’t I be enlightened already?
I hope i am able to explore and discover myself more and more through this blog. Here I would be sharing my deepest of thoughts about certain things, to the latest gossip. From politics to philosophy. From certain things in the newspaper that catch my attention, to at times, even snippets from my own personal journal! (omg! Don’t you feel so lucky?)




Ps. All this makes me look like a complete Vedic scholar. The truth is, I owe this post to first of all, my grand father who tough me Sanskrit and introduced me to this Shloka. The Purna Vidya book, from where I copy pasted it, and Guruji who gave me the wisdom to understand what it means. (NO. I am not giving a thank you speech)
Pps. If u feel like, you can buy an Audio CD called Sumeru Sandhya by Rishi Nithyapragya. You’ll find this Shloka sung by him there in his absolutely mesmerizing voice. I seem to have realized that when u hear Shlokas being sung, or sing them, the meaning hits u right where it has to. Even if the mind doesn’t get it.