Shiva
Shivoham — refrain of the Nirvana Shatakam
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम्
Simple reading
Chi-daa-nan-da roo-pah shi-vo-ham shi-vo-ham
Cidānanda-rūpaḥ śivo'haṁ śivo'ham
About this mantra
The refrain of the Nirvāṇa Ṣaṭkam, six verses attributed to Adi Shankara. Every verse ends on this line, so it is heard six times in the poem, and on its own as a jaap.
Meaning
I am of the nature of consciousness and bliss: I am Shiva, I am Shiva. This is recognition of oneself, not praise of another. After the Nirvana Shatakam has denied every label, not mind, not body, not caste, not fear, this refrain is what remains standing. Repeating it, the reciter practises subtraction until only awareness and joy are left claiming the name.
Learn it by heart
Say the first line until it comes without reading, then add the next line and say both, until the whole mantra comes on its own.
Whole mantra
This mantra is a single line. Learn it whole, then add it to your review deck so it comes back for a check.
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम्
Cidānanda-rūpaḥ śivo'haṁ śivo'ham
0not said yet
Aim for eleven. Stop reading as soon as the whole mantra comes on its own.
Progress stays on this device.
When to recite it
For the quiet after practice: recited at the close of meditation, on retreat days, and whenever identity feels shaken; Shivratri's late prahars traditionally hold it.
Word by word
- चित्cit
- pure consciousness
- आनन्दānanda
- bliss
- रूपःrūpaḥ
- whose very form is
- शिवोऽहम्śivo'ham
- I am Shiva
Source: Nirvāṇa Ṣaṭkam (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya)