Nirvanashatakam chanted by Vani Devi

Vani Devi sings the hymn from the “Nirvanashatakam” during a satsang at the Yoga Vidya Ashram in Bad Meinberg. You can find the complete text in the Yoga Vidya Kirtan Booklet under number 404.

In the six stanzas on liberation by Jagadguru Shankaracharya, you can discover both what you are not and what your true nature is: namely, Being, Knowledge, and Bliss.

The Nirvanashatakam kirtan consists of six instructive verses on freedom - or Nirvana - written by Shankara (also Sankara or Shri Shankaracharya). In each verse, Shankara explains what we are not. We are not our body, we are not our intellect, we are not our thoughts, and we are not our prana. Instead, we are Sacchidananda (i.e., Satchidananda). Only Brahman, the Absolute, is real; everything else is a temporary dream, an illusion - Maya.

Lyrics:
Mano-buddhy-ahankara-chittani Naham
Na Cha Shrotra-jihve Na Cha Ghrana-netre /
Na Cha Vyoma-bhumir Na Tejo Na Vayuh
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham // 1 //

Na Cha Prana-sanjno Na Vai Pancha-vayuh
Na Va Sapta-dhatur Na Va Pancha-koshah /
Na Vak Pani-padau Na Chopastha-payu
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham // 2 //

Na Me Dvesha-ragau Na Me Lobha-mohau
Mado Naiva Me Naiva Matsarya-bhavah /
Na Dharmo Na Chartho Na Kamo Na Mokshaha
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham // 3 //

Na Punyam Na Papam Na Saukhyam Na Duhkham
Na Mantro Na Tirtham Na Veda Na Yajnah /
Aham Bhojanam Naiva Bhojyam Na Bhokta
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham // 4 //

Na Me Nrityu-shanka Na Me Jati-bhedaha
Pita Naiva Me Naiva Mata Cha Janma /
Na Bandhur Na Mitram Gurur Naiva Shishyaha
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham // 5 //

Aham Nirvikalpo Nirakara-rupo
Vibhutvach Cha Sarvatra Sarvendriyanam /
Sada Me Samatvam Na Muktir Na Bandhaha
Chidanandarupah Shivoham Shivoham // 6 //