I Am Shiva, Shiva Am I

Mind, intellect ego, nor echoes they spell, Nor sense of hearing, speech, nor of smell, Nor am I earth, fire, air, nor yet space, I’m Shiva, awareness and bliss. Nor vital Life-force, nor five breath fields, Seven essences, nor five body shields, No limbs of action make what me is, I’m Shiva, awareness and bliss. Likes nor dislikes, I’ve greed, nor fantasy, Pride nor conceit, envy nor jealousy, Nor any pursuits of life do I miss, I’m Shiva, awareness and bliss. Happiness nor sorrows, virtue nor vice, Chants, pilgrimage, Vedas nor sacrifice, Food nor fondness, nor one that relishes, I’m Shiva, awareness and bliss. I’ve Death nor doubt, nor faith in wombs of worth, Father nor mother nor I’ve any birth, Kin, friend, guru nor disciples on earth, I’m Shiva, awareness and bliss. One alone, shape nor size, nor form any, Pervasive, rife everywhere, in senses, I’ve freedom, nor bondage, peace, poise is me, I’m Shiva, awareness and bliss. __________________________________________________ From aatma shatakam or nirvaana shatakam, six verses on atman, written by Shankaracharya of 8th century CE. Transliteration of the Sanskrit text is given here: manah-buddhi-ahamkara-chittani na aham, na cha kshotra-jihve na cha ghrana-netre | na cha vyoma bhumih na teja vayuh chit-ananada rupah shivah aham shivah aham ||1 || na cha prana-sanjnyah na vai pancha-vayuh, na va sapta-dhatuh na va pancha-koshah | na vak pani-padau na cha upastha-payu chit-ananada rupah shivah aham shivah aham ||2 || na me dvesha-ragau na me lobha-mohau, madah na eva me na eva matsarya bhavah | na dharmah na cha arthah na kamah na mokshah, chit-ananada rupah shivah aham shivah aham ||3 || na punyam na papam na saukhyam na duhkham, na mantrah na tirtham na vedah na yajnyah | aham bhojanam na eva bhojyam na bhoktah chit-ananada rupah shivah aham shivah aham ||4 || na me mrtyu-shanka na me jati bhedah, pita na eva me na eva mata na janma | na bandhuh na mitram guruh na eva shishyah chit-ananada rupah shivah aham shivah aham ||5 || aham nir-vikalpah nir-akara-rupah, vibhuh vyapya sarvatra sarva indriyanam | sada me samatvam na muktih na bandhah, chit-ananada rupah shivah aham shivah aham ||6 || Translations |05.08.2021|