Atma-Shatakam / Nirvana Shatakam - The Song of the Self.

Sanskrit Version:

manobuddhyahamkāra cittāni nāham
NA ca śrotrajihve na ca ghrānanetre
na ca vioma bhūmir na tejo na vāyuh
cidānandarūpah śivo’ham śivo’ham

na ca pranasajño na vai pamcavāyuh
na vā saptadhātur na vā pamcakośah
na vākpānipādam na copasthapāyu
cidānandarūpah śivo’ham śivo’ham

na me dveşarāgau na me lobhamohau
mado naiva me naiva mātsaryabhāvah
na dharmo na cārtho na kāmo na mokşah
cidānandarūpah śivo’ham śivo’ham

na punyam na pāpam na saukhyam na dukhyam
na mantro na tīrtham na vedā na yajña
aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhoktā
cidānandarūpah śivo’ham śivo’ham

na me mṛtyuśamkā na me jātibhedah
pitā naiva me naiva mātā na janmah
na bandhur na mitram gurunaiva śişyah
cidānandarūpah śivo’ham śivo’ham

aham nirvikalpo nirākāra rūpo
vibhutvāca sarvatra sarvemdriyānam
na cāsangata naiva muktir na meyah
cidānandarūpah śivo’ham śivo’ham

English Translation:

1)I am not mind, nor intellect, nor ego, nor the reflections of inner self. I am not the five senses. I am beyond that. I am not the ether, nor the earth, nor the fire, nor the wind (i.e. the five elements). I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva, love and pure consciousness.

2) Neither can I be termed as energy (Praana), nor five types of breath (Vaayu), nor the seven material essences (dhaatu), nor the five coverings (panca-kosha). Neither am I the five instruments of elimination, procreation, motion, grasping, or speaking. I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva, love and pure consciousness.

3) I have no hatred or dislike, nor affiliation or liking, nor greed, nor delusion, nor pride or haughtiness, nor feelings of envy or jealousy. I have no duty (dharma), nor any money, nor any desire (refer: kama), nor even liberation (refer: moksha). I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva, love and pure consciousness.

4) I have neither virtue (punya), nor vice (paapa). I do not commit sins or good deeds, nor have happiness or sorrow, pain or pleasure. I do not need mantras, holy places, scriptures, rituals or sacrifices (yajna). I am none of the triad of the observer or one who experiences, the process of observing or experiencing, or any object being observed or experienced. I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva, love and pure consciousness.

5) I do not have fear of death, as I do not have death. I have no separation from my true self, no doubt about my existence, nor have I discrimination on the basis of birth. I have no father or mother, nor did I have a birth. I am not the relative, nor the friend, nor the guru, nor the disciple. I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva, love and pure consciousness.

6) I am all pervasive. I am without any attributes, and without any form. I have neither attachment to the world, nor to liberation. I have no wishes for anything because I am everything, everywhere, every time, always in equilibrium. I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva, love and pure consciousness.

I would add to this beautiful and ancient hymn a verse that speaks to all of us working today to make the world a more peaceful place. To those serving others and those who we serve:

I am not homelessness, I am not trauma, nor am I addiction.
I am not depression, nor anxiety, nor sleeplessness.
I am not sadness, nor fear, nor am I frustration. I am not invisible.
I am, indeed, that eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva, love and pure consciousness.