SHIVOHAM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoKKf4zMlQs

Shivom Shivom Shivoham Shivaswarupoham
Nityoham shuddhoham buddhoham muktoham
Nityoham shuddhoham buddhoham muktoham
Shivoham Shivoham Shivaswarupoham

Shiva = the pure unbounded all-pervading consciousness (the transcendental self, the Absolute), Aham = I am, Shiva + Aham = Shivoham, swarup = the true form, nitya = eternal, shuddha = pure, buddha = intelligent, mukta = free.
“I am Shiva (the pure unbounded consciousness). I am the unbounded consciousness. I am the very form of the unbounded consciousness.
I am eternal. I am pure. I am intelligent. I am free.
I am eternal. I am pure. I am intelligent. I am free.
I am Shiva (the pure unbounded consciousness). I am the unbounded consciousness. I am the very form of the unbounded consciousness.”

Advaitaananda rupam-arupam
Brahmoham Brahmoham Brahmaswarupoham
Chidoham Chidoham Satchidaanandoham
Shivoham Shivoham Shivaswarupoham

Advaita = non-duality (oneness), Aananda = bliss, rupa = form, arupa = formless
Brahman = the pure unbounded all-pervading consciousness (the transcendental self, the Absolute), Chida = consciousness, Sat = Truth.
“The bliss of non-duality (oneness), that which is in all forms and yet formless.
I am Brahman (pure unbounded consciousness). I am Brahman. I am the very form of Brahman.
I am consciousness. I am consciousness. I am the bliss of consciousness which is the one Truth.
I am Shiva (the pure unbounded consciousness). I am the unbounded consciousness. I am the very form of the unbounded consciousness.”

Jise shastra kaate na agni jalaaye,
Ghalaaye na paani na mrityu mitaaye,
Wahi aathmaa Satchidaananda mai hoon,
Shivoham Shivoham Shivoham Shivoham

Jise = which, shastra = dagger, kaate = cut, na = nor, agni = fire, jalaaye = burn, ghalaaye = dissolve, paani = water, mrityu = death, mitaaye = destroy, wahi = that, aathmaa = soul, Sat = Truth, Chida = consciousness, Aananda = bliss, mai = I, hoon = am.
“That which cannot be cut by a dagger, nor burnt by fire.
That which cannot be dissolved by water, nor destroyed by death.
That very soul, the bliss of consciousness which is the truth, I am.
I am Shiva (the pure unbounded consciousness). I am the unbounded consciousness. I am the unbounded consciousness. I am the unbounded consciousness.”

Amar aathmaa hai maranshil kaaya,
Sabhi praaniyo ke jo bhitar samaayaa,
Wahi aathmaa Satchidaananda mai hoon,
Shivoham Shivoham Shivoham Shivoham

amar = immortal, aathmaa = soul, hai = is, maranshil = mortal, kaaya = body, sabhi = all, praaniyo = living beings, ke jo bhitar samaayaa = residing within
“The immortal soul, the body is mortal,
that which is inside all living beings,
that very soul, the bliss of consciousness, I am.
I am Shiva (the pure unbounded consciousness) …”

Jo vyaapak hai kana kana he waahas jiskaa,
Nahi teeno kaalo meih he naash jiskaa,
Wahi athmaa Satchidaananda mai hoon,
Shivoham Shivoham Shivoham Shivoham

vyaapak = everywhere, kana kana he waahas jiskaa = in every particle of existence, Nahi = which is not, teeno = the three, kaalo = ages, meih = in, naash = destroy
“That which is everywhere in every particle of existence,
which is not destroyed in the three ages,
that very soul, the bliss of consciousness, I am.
I am Shiva (the pure unbounded consciousness) …”

Amar aathmaa Satchidaananda mai hoon,
Shivoham Shivoham Shivoham Shivoham
“The immortal soul, the bliss of consciousness, I am.
I am Shiva (the pure unbounded consciousness) …”

The first part is a sanskrit chant which has its origins in a famous poem composed by Sage Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. The second part (starting from Jise shastra ) is in Hindi. The meaning is very deep! It reminds me of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s profound yet practical commentary on the Ashtavakra Gita. To me, it means that the singer is identifying with his/her infinite self rather than with the temporary aspects of his/her existence. So rather than identifying with thoughts, feelings, circumstances, roles and the mortal body, which are ever-changing, the singer identifies with his/her soul which is eternal and indestructible. The experience of being one with our inner being is the bliss. Some of us, who are lucky, get a glimpse of this in meditation. We are, at our core, eternal, pure, untouched, intelligent and free.

Jan 24, 2010: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s explanation: After writing this post, I came across (thanks to Amra!) an explanation of “Shivoham” by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar which is, of course, beautiful. Here it is. Enjoy!

“”Shiva” here means that innocent, blissful, splendid, golden, beautiful.
“Shivoham” — I am Shiva. Splendid, the most innocent.
“Shiva Swarupoham” — my nature is Shiva. My form is Shiva. I am made up of a substance that is Shiva — innermost me.

“Nityoham” — I am ever present. I am always there. Body dies, disappears, but I am there.
“Nityoham Shuddhoham” — I am ever pure. Nothing can touch me. All these things come and go, but they cannot touch me, they cannot do anything to me.
“Buddhoham” — I am always enlightened.
“Shivoham Shivoham Shiva Swarupoham. Nityoham” — I am eternal. There is no end to me.

“Advaita Ananda Rupam Arupam. Shivoham Shivoham Shiva Swarupoham” — There is no two. It is me in all the forms, all over. It is me. My breath is flowing everywhere. I am the formless though I am inside a form. My spirit has no form. Though I am formless, I move in forms, in all forms in the whole world.

“Brahmoham Brahmoham Brahma Swarupoham” — I am the Brahman, the totality, the all.
“Chidoham Chidoham” — I am the consciousness. I am lively. I am full of life. I am pure energy and pure consciousness.”
~~ Sri Sri Ravi Shankar