Shiva
Shivoham — refrain of the Nirvana Shatakam
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम्
Cidānanda-rūpaḥ śivo'haṁ śivo'ham
Simple reading: Chi-daa-nan-da roo-pah shi-vo-ham shi-vo-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 not praise of another but recognition of oneself: 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.
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)