Nirvana Shatakam (Atma Shatakam) నిర్వాణ షట్కం (ఆత్మ షట్కం)

Q: What is the Nirvana Shatakam?

The Nirvana Shatakam (Atma Shatakam) is a six-verse hymn by Adi Shankaracharya on Advaita Vedanta, beginning "Mano Buddhi Ahankara Chittani Naham" and affirming "Chidananda Rupah Shivoham."

Q: What does "Shivoham" mean?

"Shivoham" means "I am Shiva" — the infinite Self of pure consciousness and bliss. The refrain affirms the seeker’s true identity as the boundless Atman.

Q: Who wrote the Nirvana Shatakam?

The Nirvana Shatakam was composed by Adi Shankaracharya, said to have uttered it in answer to his guru’s question "Who are you?"

Introduction to Nirvana Shatakam

The Nirvana Shatakam (నిర్వాణ షట్కం), also called the Atma Shatakam, is a sublime hymn of six verses by Adi Shankaracharya that distils the very heart of Advaita Vedanta. Beginning with "Mano Buddhi Ahankara Chittani Naham" — "I am not the mind, intellect, ego or memory" — each verse negates all that we mistake for the self, and ends with the soaring declaration "Chidananda Rupah, Shivoham, Shivoham" — "I am the form of consciousness and bliss; I am Shiva, I am Shiva."

Cherished by seekers across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the Nirvana Shatakam is both a meditation and a realisation — a hymn that points the mind beyond body, senses and thought to the boundless, ever-free Self.

This page presents the complete Nirvana Shatakam in Telugu script with English transliteration — all six verses of this timeless hymn of Self-knowledge.

Nirvana Shatakam: Telugu & English Lyrics

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॥ నిర్వాణ షట్కం (ఆత్మ షట్కం) ॥
(శ్రీ ఆది శంకరాచార్య)

మనోబుద్ధ్యహంకారచిత్తాని నాహం

న చ శ్రోత్రజిహ్వే న చ ఘ్రాణనేత్రే ।

న చ వ్యోమభూమిర్న తేజో న వాయుః

చిదానన్దరూపః శివోఽహం శివోఽహమ్ ॥౧॥

న చ ప్రాణసంజ్ఞో న వై పఞ్చవాయుః

న వా సప్తధాతుర్న వా పఞ్చకోశః ।

న వాక్పాణిపాదం న చోపస్థపాయూ

చిదానన్దరూపః శివోఽహం శివోఽహమ్ ॥౨॥

న మే ద్వేషరాగౌ న మే లోభమోహౌ

మదో నైవ మే నైవ మాత్సర్యభావః ।

న ధర్మో న చార్థో న కామో న మోక్షః

చిదానన్దరూపః శివోఽహం శివోఽహమ్ ॥౩॥

న పుణ్యం న పాపం న సౌఖ్యం న దుఃఖం

న మన్త్రో న తీర్థో న వేదా న యజ్ఞః ।

అహం భోజనం నైవ భోజ్యం న భోక్తా

చిదానన్దరూపః శివోఽహం శివోఽహమ్ ॥౪॥

న మే మృత్యుశఙ్కా న మే జాతిభేదః
(అథవా)
న మృత్యుర్న శఙ్కా న మే జాతిభేదః

పితా నైవ మే నైవ మాతా న జన్మ ।

న బన్ధుర్న మిత్రం గురుర్నైవ శిష్యః

చిదానన్దరూపః శివోఽహం శివోఽహమ్ ॥౫॥

అహం నిర్వికల్పో నిరాకారరూపః

విభుత్వాచ్చ సర్వత్ర సర్వేన్ద్రియాణామ్
(అథవా)
విభుర్వ్యాప్య సర్వత్ర సర్వేన్ద్రియాణామ్ ।

న చాసఙ్గతం నైవ ముక్తిర్న మేయః
(అథవా)
సదా మే సమత్వం న ముక్తిర్న బన్ధః

చిదానన్దరూపః శివోఽహం శివోఽహమ్ ॥౬॥

|| Nirvana Shatakam (Atma Shatakam) ||
(Sri Adi Shankaracharya)

Manobuddhyahankarachittani Naham

Na Cha Shrotrajihve Na Cha Ghrananetre |

Na Cha Vyomabhumirna Tejo Na Vayuh

Chidanandarupah Shivo'ham Shivo'ham ||1||

Na Cha Pranasanjno Na Vai Panchavayuh

Na Va Saptadhaturna Va Panchakoshah |

Na Vakpanipadam Na Chopasthapayu

Chidanandarupah Shivo'ham Shivo'ham ||2||

Na Me Dvesharagau Na Me Lobhamohau

Mado Naiva Me Naiva Matsaryabhavah |

Na Dharmo Na Chartho Na Kamo Na Mokshah

Chidanandarupah Shivo'ham Shivo'ham ||3||

Na Punyam Na Papam Na Saukhyam Na Duhkham

Na Mantro Na Tirtho Na Veda Na Yajnah |

Aham Bhojanam Naiva Bhojyam Na Bhokta

Chidanandarupah Shivo'ham Shivo'ham ||4||

Na Me Mrityushanka Na Me Jatibhedah
(athava)
Na Mrityurna Shanka Na Me Jatibhedah

Pita Naiva Me Naiva Mata Na Janma |

Na Bandhurna Mitram Gururnaiva Shishyah

Chidanandarupah Shivo'ham Shivo'ham ||5||

Aham Nirvikalpo Nirakararupah

Vibhutvachcha Sarvatra Sarvendriyanam
(athava)
Vibhurvyapya Sarvatra Sarvendriyanam |

Na Chasangatam Naiva Muktirna Meyah
(athava)
Sada Me Samatvam Na Muktirna Bandhah

Chidanandarupah Shivo'ham Shivo'ham ||6||

Significance of the Nirvana Shatakam

Tradition holds that when the young Shankara was asked "Who are you?" by his guru Govinda Bhagavatpada, he answered with these very verses — declaring that he was not the body, the mind, the elements or any limited thing, but the infinite consciousness that is Shiva itself.

Verse by verse the hymn removes every false identification — with the mind and senses, with the vital airs and body, with emotions, actions, and even with death and doubt — leaving only the pure "I am" of awareness: Chidananda Rupah Shivoham.

Benefits of Chanting Nirvana Shatakam

Reveals the True Self: Points directly to the Atman beyond body and mind
Calms the Mind: Its meditative negation brings deep stillness and freedom
Dispels Fear: Reveals the deathless, ever-free nature of the Self
Aid to Meditation: A cherished contemplation on the path of Self-knowledge
Inner Peace: Loosens identification with the fleeting and the limited

How to Chant Nirvana Shatakam

Recite slowly and meditatively, reflecting on the meaning of each negation
Ideal for the early morning or before meditation
Rest in the sense of "Shivoham" — "I am the Self" — after each verse
Beginners may follow the English transliteration and contemplate the meaning
Chant with a calm, one-pointed mind rather than for outward results

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Nirvana Shatakam?

The Nirvana Shatakam (also called Atma Shatakam) is a six-verse hymn by Adi Shankaracharya expressing the essence of Advaita Vedanta. Beginning "Mano Buddhi Ahankara Chittani Naham," each verse negates false identifications and affirms "Chidananda Rupah Shivoham" — "I am consciousness and bliss, I am Shiva."

What does "Shivoham" mean?

"Shivoham" means "I am Shiva" — not the deity in form, but the auspicious, infinite Self that is pure consciousness and bliss (Chidananda). The refrain "Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham" affirms the seeker’s true identity as the boundless Atman.

Who wrote the Nirvana Shatakam?

The Nirvana Shatakam was composed by Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th-century philosopher-saint of Advaita Vedanta. Tradition says he uttered these verses in answer to his guru’s question "Who are you?"

Is the Nirvana Shatakam available in Telugu script?

Yes. This page presents the complete Nirvana Shatakam in Telugu script (తెలుగు) along with English transliteration, so Telugu readers and beginners alike can recite it easily.