The lyrics of Atmastakam
by Singers of the Art of Living are a powerful declaration of
Self-realization, the realization of the Divine nature of oneself.
The song talks about how the singer is not his mind,
intellect, or ego, neither is he his senses, nor is he the elements
of nature like space, earth, fire, or air, and explains what he is. It is considered a mantra by some.
Atmastakam,
also called Atma
Shatkam /
Atma-Shatakam / Nirvana Shatakam
The Song of the Self
We know that “Shiva” is, among others, a term used for the power or force or energy of destruction and regeneration within the Universe, on all of its planes and levels (including in nature and in Man). As such He symbolizes one of the energies of the Hindu Trimurti, along with Brahmā: creative or (formative), Vishnu: preservative (or sustaining) energy.
However, “Shiva” is also a name applied to “Atman”, the Higher Self of each of us, just like “Brahman”1 The One Universal Self of All, pure eternal spirit, CONSCIOUSNESS ITSELF, is of course nameless, but no less an Initiate than the great Adi Shankaracharya – the main codifier and formulator of the Advaita Vedanta (non-duality, non-dualism) form of Hinduism – sometimes used “Shiva” as a synonym for “Atman.”
Shankaracharya wrote the Ten-Versed Hymn (Dasha Shloki), the first nine verses of which all end with the affirmation,
“I am simply Shiva the Self,
For this remains even in sleep,
After everything is taken out.”
That is true not only for him but for all of us. Whatever name we may apply to the highermost part of our being – whether Atman, Brahman, Shiva, Krishna, Christos, Buddha Nature, etc. – it is the Ultimate ONE.
He also wrote this similar hymn of six verses, Atmastakam where, again, the Atma states what It is not – none of the elements of the lower self, and what It IS – pure Consciousness-Bliss – Shiva, the Self (Shivoham).
This hymn has been beautifully put to music by the gifted musician and composer Craig Pruess.
Atmastakam – Singers of the Art of Living from Sacred Chants of Shiva
Lyrics
🔴Mano Buddhi Ahankara Chittani Naaham
Na Cha Shrotravjihve Na Cha Ghraana Netre
Na Cha Vyoma Bhumir Na Tejo Na Vaayuhu
Chidananda Rupah Shivo'ham Shivo'ham
I am neither the body, nor the reflections of the inner Self (chitta).
I am not the five senses.
Nor am I the ether, the earth, the fire, the air ;
I am the form of Consciousness and Bliss – Shiva, I am Shiva.
🔴Na Cha Prana Sangyo Na Vai Pancha Vayuhu
Na Va Sapta Dhatur Na Va Pancha Koshah
Na Vak Pani-Padam Na Chopastha Payu
Chidananda Rupah Shivo'ham Shivo'ham
I am neither the Prâna
energy (prāṇa),
Nor five types of breath (vāyus - Prāṇa,
Apāna, Vyāna, Udāna, Samāna),
Nor the seven material essences,
nor the five sheaths (pañca-kośa).
Neither am I the organ of
Speech, nor the organs for Holding (Hand), Movement (Feet) or
Excretion.
I
am the form of
Consciousness and Bliss – Shiva, I am Shiva.
🔴Na Me Dvesha Ragau Na Me Lobha Mohau
Mado Naiva Me Vai Na Matsarya Bhavaha
Na Dharmo Na Chartho Na Kamo Na Mokshaha
Chidananda Rupah Shivo'ham Shivo'ham
Neither egotism nor envy, neither Dharma nor Moksha;
I am neither desire nor object of desire ;
I am the form of Consciousnes and Bliss – Shiva, I am Shiva.
🔴Na Punyam Na Papam Na Saukhyam Na Duhkham
Na Mantro Na Tirtham Na Veda Na Yajnah
Aham Bhojanam Naiva Bhojyam Na Bhokta
Chidananda Rupah Shivo'ham Shivo'ham
I
am neither sin nor virtue, neither pleasure nor pain ;
I do not
need mantras, holy places, scriptures (Vedas), rituals or sacrifices
(yajñas).
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 the form of Consciousnes and Bliss – Shiva, I am Shiva.
🔴Na Me Mrityu Shanka Na Me Jati Bhedaha
Pita Naiva Me Naiva Mataa Na Janmaha
Na Bandhur Na Mitram Gurur Naiva Shishyaha
Chidananda Rupah Shivo'ham Shivo'ham
I have no father, nor mother, or even birth;
I am the form of Consciousnes and Bliss – Shiva, I am Shiva.
🔴Aham Nirvikalpo Nirakara Rupo
Vibhut Vatcha Sarvatra Sarvendriyanam
Na Cha Sangatham Naiva Muktir Na Meyaha
Chidananda Rupah Shivo'ham Shivo'ham
I am without form, without limit, beyond space, beyond time;
I am in everything; I am the basis of the universe ; everywhere am I.
I am the form of Consciousnes and Bliss – Shiva, I am Shiva.
Video Description
Overall Meaning – Craig Pruess
The lyrics of Atmastakam by Singers of the Art of Living are a powerful declaration of self-realization, the realization of the divine nature of oneself. The song talks about how the singer is not his mind, intellect, or ego, neither is he his senses, nor is he the elements of nature like space, earth, fire, or air. He is not his vital breath or the five sheaths of the body. Instead, he proclaims that he is the embodiment of pure consciousness and bliss (Chidananda Rupa Shivoham). The lyrics assert that the singer is not bound by any attachment or aversion, neither does he have any desire for worldly things nor the desire for liberation.
Further, the singer affirms that he is not bound by the cycle of birth and death, neither does he have any fear of death or any sense of caste, creed, or nationality. The singer declares that he is not influenced by the moods of the mind or any disturbance of the senses and is forever established in the pure state of consciousness. The song ends by proclaiming the divine nature of the Self and how it pervades every aspect of creation, and that the realization of this truth leads to ultimate liberation.
Overall, the lyrics of Atmastakam are a spiritual revelation of the true nature of the Self and its divine essence. It provides a beautiful statement of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy espoused by Adi Shankaracharya.
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1“This
Atman is Brahman” (Ayamātmā Brahma)
from Mandukya
Upanishad of the Atharva Veda.
“I am Brahman” (Aham
Brahmāsmi)
from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad of the Yajur Veda
