Lessons from Adi Shankaracharya

When a young eight year old boy, Adi Shankaracharya, while wandering in Himalayas, met a sage who asked him, “Who are you?”
The boy answered with these verses, which are known as ‘Nirvana Shatakam’ or ‘Atma Shatakam’


Mano Buddhi Ahankaara Chittani Naaham
Na Cha Shrotra Jihve Na Cha Ghraana Netre
Na Cha Vyoma Bhumir Na Tejo Na Vaayuhu
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham

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 absolute bliss, the eternal Shiva


Na Cha Praana Sangyo Na Vai Pancha Vaayuhu
Na Va Sapta Dhaatur Na Va Pancha Koshah
Na Vak Pani-Padau Na Chopastha Paayu
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham

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 absolute bliss, the eternal Shiva


Na Me Dvesha Raagau Na Me Lobha Mohau
Mado Naiva Me Naiva Maatsarya Bhaavah
Na Dharmo Na Chaartho Na Kaamo Na Mokshah
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham

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 absolute bliss, the eternal Shiva
 
Na Punyam Na Paapam Na Saukhyam Na Dukham
Na Mantro Na Tirtham Na Vedaah Na Yajnah
Aham Bhojanam Naiva Bhojyam Na Bhoktaa
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham

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 absolute bliss, the eternal Shiva


Na Mrityur Na Shanka Na Me Jaati Bhedah
Pitaa Naiva Me Naiva Maataa Na Janma
Na Bandhur Na Mitram Guru Naiva Shishyah
Chidananda Rupah Shivo’ham Shivo’ham

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 learner
I am the form of consciousness and bliss,
I am the absolute bliss, the eternal Shiva


Aham Nirvikalpo Nirakaara Rupo
Vibhutvaatcha Sarvatra Sarvendriyaanaam
Na Cha Sangathan Naiva Muktir Na Meyah
Chidananda Rupah Shivo’ham Shivo’ham

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 absolute bliss, the eternal Shiva