Sunday, April 8, 2012

Nirvana Shatakam: Vedantic Meditation by Adi Shankaracharya

Nirvana Shatakam Vedantic Meditation

During the intensive yoga course I joined in 2011 at the Parmarth Niketan ashram in Rishikesh, I came across a profound and amazing stotra (hymn of praise) in Sanskrit. It is called Nirvana Shatakam (also known as Nirvana Shatkam, Atma Shatkam or Shivoham).

I was struck by the power of its words.  So much truth in each stanza. The first time I heard it I immediately thought with excitement, “This is pure Advaita Vedanta philosophy! A Vedantic meditation, a song for enlightenment.”

Chanting it made me shed some tears and I even felt goosebumps appear on my skin.