The Atmashatkam, also known as Nirvanashatkam , is a composition consisting of 6 verses or ślokas in Sanskrit, written by the Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara summarizing the basic teachings of Advaita Vedanta, or the Hindu teachings of non-dualism. It was written around 788-820 CE. It is said that when Ādi Śaṅkara was a young boy of eight and wandering near River Narmada, seeking to find his guru, he encountered the seer Govinda Bhagavatpada who asked him, "Who are you?". The boy answered with these stanzas, which are known as "Nirvāṇa Shatkam" or Ātma Shatkam". Swami Govindapada accepted Ādi Śaṅkara as his disciple. The verses are said to be valued to progress in contemplation practices that lead to Self-Realization. "Nirvāṇa" is complete equanimity, peace, tranquility, freedom and joy. "Ātma" is the True Self.
1) I am not mind, nor intellect, nor ego, nor the reflections of inner self. I am not the five senses. I am beyond that. I am not the seven elements or the five sheaths. I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, the auspicious, love and pure consciousness. . ನಾನು ಮಂಗಳಕರನಾದ ಚಿದಾನಂದ ರೂಪನು. 2) Neither can I be termed as energy, nor five types of breath, nor the seven materialessences, nor the five sheaths. Neither am I the organ of Speech, nor the organs for Holding, Movement or Excretion. I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, the auspicious, love and pure consciousness. , ಪಂಚ ವಾಯು ಕೂಡ ನಾನಲ್ಲ, ನಾನಲ್ಲ ಸಪ್ತ ಧಾತು, ಪಂಚ ಕೋಶ ನಾನಲ್ಲ, ಕೈ, ಕಾಲು, ಬಾಯಿ ಕೊಡ ನಾನಲ್ಲ. ನಾನು ಮಂಗಳಕರನಾದ 3) I have no hatred or dislike, nor affiliation or liking, nor greed, nor delusion, nor pride or haughtiness, nor feelings of envy or jealousy. I have no duty, nor any money, nor any desire, nor even liberation. I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, the auspicious, love and pure consciousness. I have neither merit, nor demerit. I do not commit sins or good deeds, nor have happiness or sorrow, pain or pleasure. I do not need mantras, holy places, scriptures, rituals or sacrifices. 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 indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, the auspicious, love and pure consciousness. 5) I do not have fear of death, as I do not have death. I have no separation from my true self, no doubt about my existence, nor have I discrimination on the basis of birth. I have no father or mother, nor did I have a birth. I am not the relative, nor the friend, nor the guru, nor the disciple. I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, the auspicious, love and pure consciousness. 6) I am all pervasive. I am without any attributes, and without any form. I have neither attachment to the world, nor to liberation. I have no wishes for anything because I am everything, everywhere, every time, always in equilibrium. I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, the auspicious, love and pure consciousness. This text has been transliterated from the sources at , , with some corrections made.
