[ Translated by P. R. Ramachander ]

This is one of the rare stotras written by Adi Shankara Bhagavat Pada identifying himself with Lord Shiva and clearly explaining his theory of non-dualism. It is mellifluous and has remarkable tempo. There is a story that one of his disciples started saying Shivoham like the Acharya without understanding its significance. The Acharya visited the black smith’s house and happily drank one tumbler of molten iron and ordered the disciple to do so. Naturally he was not able to do it. The Acharya told him that as for himself  the  molten iron or ice cold water are not different because he has realized that he is no different from Lord Shiva, And till  the disciple  attains that state, there is no point in his repeating Shivoham i.e “I am Shiva”

1
                                            
Mano budhya ahankara chithaa ninaham,
Na cha srothra jihwe na cha graana nethrer,
Na cha vyoma bhoomir  na thejo na vayu,
Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham

Neither am I mind, nor intelligence ,
Nor ego, nor thought,
Nor am I  ears  or the tongue  or the nose or the eyes,
Nor am I earth or sky or air or the light,
But I am Shiva the all pervading happiness,
Yes, I am definitely Shiva.

2

Na cha praana samgno na vai pancha vaayur,
Na vaa saptha dhathur na va pancha kosa,
Na vak pani padam  na chopa stha payu,
Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham

Neither am I the  movement due to life,
Nor am I the five airs, nor am I the seven  elements,
Nor am I the five internal organs,
Nor am I voice or hands or feet or other organs,
But I am Shiva the all pervading happiness,
Yes, I am definitely Shiva

3

Na me dwesha raghou na me lobha mohou,
Madho naiva  me naiva matsarya bhava,
Na dharmo na cha artha na kamo na moksha,
Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham

I never do  have  enmity  or  friendship,
Neither do I have vigour nor feeling of competition,
Neither do I have assets, or money or  passion or  salvation,
But I am Shiva the all pervading happiness,
Yes, I am definitely Shiva

4

Na punyam na paapam na soukhyam na dukham,
Na manthro na theertham na veda na yagna,
Aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhoktha,
Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham

Never do I have  good deeds or sins or pleasure or sorrow,
Neither do I have holy chants or holy water or holy books or fire sacrifice,
I am neither food or the consumer who consumes food,
As I am Shiva the all pervading happiness,
Yes, I am definitely Shiva

5

Na mruthyur na sankha na me jathi bhedha,
Pitha naiva me naiva  matha na janma,
Na bhandhur na mithram gurur naiva sishya,
Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham

I do not have death or doubts  or distinction of caste,
I do not have either father or mother or even birth,
And I do not have relations  or friends or teacher or students,
As I am Shiva the all pervading happiness,
Yes, I am definitely Shiva

6

Aham nirvi kalpi nirakara roopi,
Vibhuthwascha  sarvathra sarvendriyanaam,
Na cha sangatham naiva mukthir na meya
Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham

I am one without doubts , I am without form,
Due to knowledge I do not have any relation with my organs,
And I am always redeemed,
And I am Shiva the all pervading happiness,
Yes, I am definitely Shiva