Experiencing Nirvana Shatkam - Session 2 of 6

 

In this video Vikas Varma provides an experience of the second verse of Nirvana Shatkam. Nirvaana Shatkam or Atma Shatkam by Sri Adi Shankaracharya Ji is by far the most profound piece on Self Realisation in the Indian Literature. It is a song about the Self, rendered by a young 8 year old Shankara. The song summarizes the idea of non-dualism in six (shatakam) verses. When Shankara was wandering in the Himalayan region in search of a spiritual guru, he chanced upon a sage by name Govinda Bhagawatpada. The sage asked the young Shankara – Who are you? In response to this question, Shankara responded with profound wisdom in six verses that came to be known as Atma Shatkam or Nirvaana Shatkam. He defines the Self using an analytical approach of elimination of what is definitely not. The Guru, Govinda Bhagawatpada accepts young Shankara as his disciple after this introduction by Shankara. In the second verse Adi Shankaracharya Ji minutely examines the anatomy and human physiology and denies that it constitutes the Self. He also discards the notion of the sheaths or coverings of the body to be the real Self. Na Cha Prana Samjno Na Vai Pancha Vayu Na Va Saptadhatur Na Va Pancha Koshah Na Vak Pani Padau Na Chopastha Payu Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham