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Shankaraachaarya-2
(1) Maneesh Panchakam,
(2) Aatm Shatakam or Nirvaan Shatakam,
(3) Kanakdhaaraa Stotra,
(4) Kaupeen Panchakam,
(5) Saundarya Laharee,
(6) Bhaj Govindam, (7)
Dakshin Moorti Stotra,
Nirvaan Shatakam or Aatm Shatakam
Shatakam means a bunch of 6 verses, usually of 4 lines
each. This is also called Aatm Shatkam. This was the first test for Aadi Shankar. When he was
in search of his Guru leaving behind his mother Aaryambaa at Kalaadi, he came to the banks of river
Narmadaa, which was inundated with floods. He had to cross it, but how? Bowing to it, he collected
all the water of the river in his Kamandal, and then the river was just without a drop of water. Now
he could cross it. When he was about to cross the river bed, he was stopped by another sage who was
looking all the happenings (he was none other than his sought after Guru Shree Govinda Bhagavatpaad
(whose Guru was Goudaapaad - Shankarachaaraya Chandrasekarendira Saraswatee in his Deyvethin Kural
says Gauda means Tiger and hence Gaudaoada originated from Bangaal - he was the one to write Kaarikaa
for Maandookya Upanishad - the smallest of the 108 Upanishad which reveals A-Dwait - The maker is the
made), he asks who are you? The answer for his Guru's question is Nirvaan Shatakam. Nir means
"without" and Vaanam means "cover" and hence Nirvaanam means without cover this
shows that when you remove all the covers you have on you. When I remover all the covers I find that
I am birthless deathless Braahman - Shiv.
Shankar was only 8 years old at that time. Nirvaan
Shatakam is precisely a crash course of "A-Dwait Vedaant". Even though these verses are
the declarations of a man of Realization, chanting them and reflecting deeply on them as the highest
state to be experienced could be an invaluable "Sadhanaa" for any seeker of liberation.
Mano Buddhi-ahankaar Chitaani Naaham
Na Cha Shrotra Jihve Na Cha Ghraana Netre
Na Cha Vyom Bhoomir Na Tejo Na Vaayuh
Chidaanand Roopah Shivoham Shivoham
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I am not the mind, intellect, ego, or memory. (the 4 aspects of Antah Karan)
Nor am I the ears, tongue, nose, eyes (and skin)-(the 5 organs of perception)
I am not the space, earth, fire, air (and water)-(the 5 elements)
I am all Auspiciousness, I am Shiv. |
Na Cha Praan Sangyo Na Vai Panch Vaayuh
Na Va Sapt Dhaatur Na Va Pancha Koshah
Na Vaak Paani Paadau Na Chopasth Paayuh
Chidaanand Roopah Shivoham Shivoham |
I am not the Praan, I am not the 5 vital airs.
I am not the 7 materials, not the 5 sheaths,
Not the organ of speech, nor hand, nor leg,
And not the genital organ, nor the anus.
I am of the nature of pure Knowledge and Bliss |
Na Me Dwesh Raagau Na Me Lobh Mohau
Mado Naiv Me Naiv Maatsarya Bhaavah
Na Dharmo Na Chaartho Na Kaamo Na Mokshah
Chidaanand Roopah Shivoham Shivoham |
I have neither hatred nor liking, I have neither greed nor delusion,
I have indeed neither pride nor jealousy, I have no duty (to perform), nor any wealth (to acquire),
I have no craving (for pleasure), I am not being bound (for liberation),
I am of the nature of Pure Consciousness and Bliss,
I am all Auspiciousness, I am Shiv. |
Na Punyam Na Paapam Na Saukhyam Na Dukham
Na Mantro Na Teertham Na Vedo Na Yagyah
Aham Bhojanam Naiva Bhojyam Na Bhoktaa
Chidaanand Roopah Shivoham Shivoham |
I have neither virtue nor vice, nor pleasure, nor pain,
nor the sacred chant of Mantras nor pilgrimage,
nor the scriptures, nor the sacrificial rituals,
I am neither the act of enjoying, nor the enjoyable object, nor the enjoyer,
I am pure Knowledge and Bliss, I am all Auspiciousness I am Shiv. |
Na Me Mrityu Shankaa Na Me Jaati Bhedah
Pita Naiv Me Naiv Maataa Na Janmaa
Na Bandhur Na Mitram Gurur Naiva Shishyah
Chidaanand Roopah Shivoham Shivoham
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I have no fear of death, nor have I any distinction of caste,
I have neither father, nor mother, nor even birth,
Nor relation, nor friend, no teacher, no disciple,
I am pure Knowledge and Bliss, I am all Auspiciousness, |
Aham Nirvikalpo Niraakaar Roopah
Vibhur Vyaapya Sarvatra Sarvendriyaanaam
Sadaa Me Samatwam Na Muktir Na Bandhah
Chidaanand Roopah Shivoham Shivoham |
I am devoid of dualities, and I am formless,
I exist everywhere, pervading all the senses,
always I am the same, I have neither freedom nor bondage,
I am pure Knowledge and Bliss, I am Auspiciousness, I am Shiv. |
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