About this stotra
Nirguna Manasa Pooja: Mental Worship of the Formless
The Nirguna Manasa Pooja, composed by Adi Shankaracharya, is an Advaita Vedantic text that redefines worship by shifting it from external ritual to internal realization. The title reveals its nature: "Nirguna" means formless or without attributes, "Manasa" means mental, and "Pooja" means worship. Instead of describing traditional rituals with physical objects and ceremonies, Shankaracharya presents a teaching that true worship of the Supreme Brahman cannot involve external acts because Brahman is infinite, formless, and self-luminous. The text systematically questions conventional worship practices: How can one offer betel leaf to the Rejoicer of the universe? How can one wave lights before the self-luminous consciousness that illuminates even the sun? How can one circumambulate the infinite or prostrate before the non-dual Reality? Through these questions, Shankaracharya guides the seeker away from ritualistic dependency toward direct knowledge of the Self.
The Path to Liberation Through Self-Knowledge
The composition progresses from questioning external worship to establishing the true nature of meditation and samadhi. Shankaracharya teaches that real nididhyasana (deep meditation) is the knowledge that there is nothing separate to be meditated upon—the meditator, meditation, and the meditated are one. True samadhi is not mental concentration on an object but the eternal resting of consciousness in Brahman itself, free from all delusion and distraction. The text concludes by stating that even a moment of this Self-worship, performed with complete absorption, can destroy all negative tendencies and the mass of ignorance, leading directly to moksha (liberation) and the bliss of the Self. This work shows Shankaracharya's approach of using the familiar framework of devotional worship to lead practitioners to non-dual realization, making it accessible to both ritualistic devotees and philosophical seekers.
Nirguna Manasa Puja lyrics and meaning
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Verse 1
शिष्य उवाच
अखण्डे सच्चिदानन्दे निर्विकल्पैकरूपिणि ।
स्थितेऽद्वितीयभावेऽपि कथं पूजा विधीयते ॥ 1 ॥
śiṣya uvācha
akhaṇḍē sachchidānandē nirvikalpaikarūpiṇi ।
sthitē'dvitīyabhāvē'pi kathaṃ pūjā vidhīyatē ॥ 1 ॥
The disciple asked: In the indivisible Existence-Consciousness-Bliss, whose nature is solely the unconditioned and which exists as the non-dual reality, how can worship be performed?
Word by word
- शिष्य (śiṣya)
- disciple
- उवाच (uvāca)
- said
- अखण्डे (akhaṇḍe)
- indivisible
- सच्चिदानन्दे (sac-cid-ānande)
- Existence-Consciousness-Bliss (sat:existence | cit:consciousness | ānanda:bliss)
- निर्विकल्पैकरूपिणि (nirvikalpaikarūpiṇi)
- unconditioned form (nirvikalpa:unconditioned | eka:one | rūpiṇi:form)
- स्थिते (sthite)
- existing
- अद्वितीयभावे (advitīyabhāve)
- non-dual reality (advitīya:non-dual | bhāva:reality)
- अपि (api)
- even
- कथं (kathaṃ)
- how
- पूजा (pūjā)
- worship
- विधीयते (vidhīyate)
- is performed
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Verse 2
पूर्णस्यावाहनं कुत्र सर्वाधारस्य चासनम् ।
स्वच्छस्य पाद्यमर्घ्यं च शुद्धस्याचमनं कुतः ॥ 2 ॥
pūrṇasyāvāhanaṃ kutra sarvādhārasya chāsanam ।
svachChasya pādyamarghyaṃ cha śuddhasyāchamanaṃ kutaḥ ॥ 2 ॥
Where is the invocation (avahana) for the Complete One? Where is the seat (asana) for the support of all? How can there be washing of feet (padya), water offering (arghya), or sipping (achamana) for the Pure and Stainless One?
Word by word
- पूर्णस्य (pūrṇasya)
- of the Complete One
- आवाहनं (āvāhanam)
- invocation
- कुत्र (kutra)
- where
- सर्वाधारस्य (sarvādhārasya)
- of the support of all (sarva:all | ādhārasya:of the support)
- च (ca)
- and
- आसनम् (āsanam)
- seat
- स्वच्छस्य (svacchasya)
- of the Pure One
- पाद्यम् (pādyam)
- washing of feet
- अर्घ्यम् (arghyam)
- water offering
- च (ca)
- and
- शुद्धस्य (śuddhasya)
- of the Stainless One
- आचमनं (āchamanam)
- sipping
- कुतः (kutaḥ)
- how
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Verse 3
निर्मलस्य कुतः स्नानं वासो विश्वोदरस्य च ।
अगोत्रस्य त्ववर्णस्य कुतस्तस्योपवीतकम् ॥ 3 ॥
nirmalasya kutaḥ snānaṃ vāsō viśvōdarasya cha ।
agōtrasya tvavarṇasya kutastasyōpavītakam ॥ 3 ॥
How can there be bathing (snana) for the Spotless One? How can there be clothing (vasa) for Him who contains the universe? How can there be a sacred thread (upavita) for One without lineage or caste?
Word by word
- निर्मलस्य (nirmalasya)
- of the spotless one
- कुतः (kutaḥ)
- how
- स्नानं (snānaṃ)
- bathing
- वासः (vāsaḥ)
- clothing
- विश्वोदरस्य (viśvōdarasya)
- of Him who contains the universe (viśva:universe | udara:belly | asya:of Him)
- च (ca)
- and
- अगोत्रस्य (agōtrasya)
- of One without lineage (a:without | gōtra:lineage | asya:of One)
- त्व (tva)
- indeed
- अवर्णस्य (avarṇasya)
- of One without caste (a:without | varṇa:caste | asya:of One)
- कुतः (kutaḥ)
- how
- तस्य (tasya)
- for Him
- उपवीतकम् (upavītakam)
- sacred thread
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Verse 4
निर्लेपस्य कुतो गन्धः पुष्पं निर्वासनस्य च ।
निर्विशेषस्य का भूषा कोऽलङ्कारो निराकृतेः ॥ 4 ॥
nirlēpasya kutō gandhaḥ puṣpaṃ nirvāsanasya cha ।
nirviśēṣasya kā bhūṣā kō'laṅkārō nirākṛtēḥ ॥ 4 ॥
How can there be sandalwood paste (gandha) for the Unattached? How can there be flowers (pushpa) for the Scentless? What ornament (bhusha) for the Undifferentiated? What decoration (alamkara) for the Formless?
Word by word
- निर्लेपस्य (nirlēpasya)
- of the unattached (nir:without | lēpasya:attachment)
- कुतः (kutaḥ)
- how
- गन्धः (gandhaḥ)
- sandalwood paste
- पुष्पम् (puṣpam)
- flower
- निर्वासनस्य (nirvāsanasya)
- of the scentless (nir:without | vāsanasya:scent)
- च (ca)
- and
- निर्विशेषस्य (nirviśēṣasya)
- of the undifferentiated (nir:without | viśēṣasya:differentiation)
- का (kā)
- what
- भूषा (bhūṣā)
- ornament
- कः (kaḥ)
- what
- अलङ्कारः (alaṅkāraḥ)
- decoration
- निराकृतेः (nirākṛteḥ)
- of the formless (nir:without | ākṛteḥ:form)
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Verse 5
निरञ्जनस्य किं धूपैर्दीपैर्वा सर्वसाक्षिणः ।
निजानन्दैकतृप्तस्य नैवेद्यं किं भवेदिह ॥ 5 ॥
nirañjanasya kiṃ dhūpairdīpairvā sarvasākṣiṇaḥ ।
nijānandaikatṛptasya naivēdyaṃ kiṃ bhavēdiha ॥ 5 ॥
What purpose of incense (dhupa) for the Unblemished? What purpose of lamps (dipa) for the Witness of all? What food offering (naivedyam) for Him who is satisfied by His own bliss alone?
Word by word
- निरञ्जनस्य (nirañjanasya)
- of the Unblemished
- किं (kiṃ)
- what purpose
- धूपैः (dhūpaiḥ)
- with incense
- दीपैः (dīpaiḥ)
- with lamps
- वा (vā)
- or
- सर्वसाक्षिणः (sarvasākṣiṇaḥ)
- of the Witness of all (sarva:all | sākṣiṇaḥ:of the Witness)
- निजानन्दैकतृप्तस्य (nijānandaikatṛptasya)
- of Him satisfied by own bliss (nija:own | ānanda:bliss | eka:one | tṛptasya:of the satisfied)
- नैवेद्यं (naivedyaṃ)
- food offering
- किं (kiṃ)
- what purpose
- भवेत् (bhavet)
- would be
- इह (iha)
- here
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Verse 6
विश्वानन्दयितुस्तस्य किं ताम्बूलं प्रकल्पते ।
स्वयम्प्रकाशचिद्रूपो योऽसावर्कादिभासकः ॥ 6 ॥
viśvānandayitustasya kiṃ tāmbūlaṃ prakalpatē ।
svayamprakāśachidrūpō yō'sāvarkādibhāsakaḥ ॥ 6 ॥
How can one offer betel (tambula) to the One who delights the universe? For Him whose form is self-luminous consciousness, who illuminates the sun and other celestial bodies—what offering is possible?
Word by word
- विश्वानन्दयितुः (viśvānandayituḥ)
- of the delighter of the universe (viśva:universe | ānandayituḥ:of the delighter)
- तस्य (tasya)
- of him
- किं (kiṃ)
- what
- ताम्बूलं (tāmbūlaṃ)
- betel
- प्रकल्पते (prakalpate)
- is offered
- स्वयम्प्रकाशचिद्रूपः (svayamprakāśacidrūpaḥ)
- self-luminous consciousness form (svayam:self | prakāśa:luminous | cit:consciousness | rūpaḥ:form)
- यः (yaḥ)
- who
- असौ (asau)
- he
- अर्कादिभासकः (arkādibhāsakaḥ)
- illuminator of sun and others (arka:sun | ādi:and others | bhāsakaḥ:illuminator)
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Verse 7
गीयते श्रुतिभिस्तस्य नीराजनविधिः कुतः ।
प्रदक्षिणमनन्तस्य प्रणामोऽद्वयवस्तुनः ॥ 7 ॥
gīyatē śrutibhistasya nīrājanavidhiḥ kutaḥ ।
pradakṣiṇamanantasya praṇāmō'dvayavastunaḥ ॥ 7 ॥
For Him who is sung by the Vedas, how can there be a light-waving ceremony (nirajana)? What circumambulation (pradakshina) for the Infinite? What prostration (pranama) for the non-dual Reality?
Word by word
- गीयते (gīyate)
- is sung
- श्रुतिभिः (śrutibhiḥ)
- by the Vedas (śruti:Vedas | bhiḥ:by)
- तस्य (tasya)
- for Him
- नीराजनविधिः (nīrājanavidhiḥ)
- light-waving ceremony (nīrājana:light-waving | vidhiḥ:ceremony)
- कुतः (kutaḥ)
- how
- प्रदक्षिणम् (pradakṣiṇam)
- circumambulation
- अनन्तस्य (anantasya)
- for the Infinite
- प्रणामः (praṇāmaḥ)
- prostration
- अद्वयवस्तुनः (advayavastunaḥ)
- for the non-dual Reality (advaya:non-dual | vastunaḥ:for the Reality)
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Verse 8
वेदवाचामवेद्यस्य किं वा स्तोत्रं विधीयते ।
अन्तर्बहिः संस्थितस्य उद्वासनविधिः कुतः ॥ 8 ॥
vēdavāchāmavēdyasya kiṃ vā stōtraṃ vidhīyatē ।
antarbahiḥ saṃsthitasya udvāsanavidhiḥ kutaḥ ॥ 8 ॥
For Him who is beyond the reach of Vedic words, what hymn of praise (stotra) can be prescribed? How can there be a dismissal ceremony (udavasana) for Him who pervades both inside and outside?
Word by word
- वेदवाचाम् (vedavācām)
- of Vedic words (veda:Vedic | vācām:of words)
- अवेद्यस्य (avedyasya)
- beyond reach (a:not | vedyasya:known)
- किं (kiṃ)
- what
- वा (vā)
- or
- स्तोत्रं (stotraṃ)
- hymn of praise
- विधीयते (vidhīyate)
- is prescribed
- अन्तर्बहिः (antarbahiḥ)
- inside and outside (antar:inside | bahiḥ:outside)
- संस्थितस्य (saṃsthitasya)
- of Him who pervades
- उद्वासनविधिः (udvāsanavidhiḥ)
- dismissal ceremony (udvāsana:dismissal | vidhiḥ:ceremony)
- कुतः (kutaḥ)
- how
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Verse 9
श्री गुरुरुवाच
आराधयामि मणिसन्निभमात्मलिङ्गम्
मायापुरीहृदयपङ्कजसन्निविष्टम् ।
श्रद्धानदीविमलचित्तजलाभिषेकै-
र्नित्यं समाधिकुसुमैर्नपुनर्भवाय ॥ 9 ॥
śrī gururuvācha
ārādhayāmi maṇisannibhamātmaliṅgam
māyāpurīhṛdayapaṅkajasanniviṣṭam ।
śraddhānadīvimalachittajalābhiṣēkai-
rnityaṃ samādhikusumairnapunarbhavāya ॥ 9 ॥
The Guru said: I worship the Self-symbol (atmalinga) shining like a jewel, dwelling in the heart-lotus within the city of illusion, with the pure ablution (abhisheka) of the mind cleansed by the river of faith, constantly, with the flowers of samadhi, for the sake of freedom from rebirth.
Word by word
- श्री (śrī)
- auspicious
- गुरुरुवाच (gururuvāca)
- the Guru said (guruḥ:Guru | uvāca:said)
- आराधयामि (ārādhayāmi)
- I worship
- मणिसन्निभम् (maṇisannibham)
- like a jewel (maṇi:jewel | sannibham:like)
- आत्मलिङ्गम् (ātmaliṅgam)
- Self-symbol (ātma:Self | liṅgam:symbol)
- मायापुरीहृदयपङ्कजसन्निविष्टम् (māyāpurīhṛdayapaṅkajasanniviṣṭam)
- dwelling in heart-lotus of illusion (māyā:illusion | purī:city | hṛdaya:heart | paṅkaja:lotus | sanniviṣṭam:dwelling)
- श्रद्धानदीविमलचित्तजलाभिषेकैः (śraddhānadīvimalacittajalābhiṣekaiḥ)
- with pure ablution of faith (śraddhā:faith | nadī:river | vimala:pure | citta:mind | jala:water | abhiṣekaiḥ:with ablution)
- नित्यं (nityaṃ)
- constantly
- समाधिकुसुमैः (samādhikusumaiḥ)
- with flowers of samadhi (samādhi:samadhi | kusumaiḥ:with flowers)
- न (na)
- not
- पुनर्भवाय (punarbhavāya)
- for freedom from rebirth (punar:again | bhavāya:for becoming)
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Verse 10
अयमेकोऽवशिष्टोऽस्मीत्येवमावाहयेच्छिवम् ।
आसनं कल्पयेत्पश्चात्स्वप्रतिष्ठात्मचिन्तनम् ॥ 10 ॥
ayamēkō'vaśiṣṭō'smītyēvamāvāhayēchChivam ।
āsanaṃ kalpayētpaśchātsvapratiṣṭhātmachintanam ॥ 10 ॥
I am the One who remains, the Ultimate.' Thus one should invoke (avahayet) Shiva. Then one should establish the seat (asana)—which is the contemplation of the self-established Self.
Word by word
- अयम् (ayam)
- this
- एकः (ekaḥ)
- one
- अवशिष्टः (avaśiṣṭaḥ)
- remains
- अस्मि (asmi)
- I am
- इति (iti)
- thus
- एवम् (evam)
- in this way
- आवाहयेत् (āvāhayet)
- should invoke
- शिवम् (śivam)
- Shiva
- आसनम् (āsanam)
- seat
- कल्पयेत् (kalpayet)
- should establish
- पश्चात् (paścāt)
- then
- स्वप्रतिष्ठात्मचिन्तनम् (svapratiṣṭhātmacintanam)
- contemplation of the self-established Self (sva:self | pratiṣṭhā:established | ātma:Self | cintanam:contemplation)
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Verse 11
पुण्यपापरजःसङ्गो मम नास्तीति वेदनम् ।
पाद्यं समर्पयेद्विद्वन्सर्वकल्मषनाशनम् ॥ 11 ॥
puṇyapāparajaḥsaṅgō mama nāstīti vēdanam ।
pādyaṃ samarpayēdvidvansarvakalmaṣanāśanam ॥ 11 ॥
I have no contact with merit or sin.' Knowing this, the wise one should offer the washing of the feet (padya), which destroys all impurities.
Word by word
- पुण्यपापरजःसङ्गः (puṇyapāparajaḥsaṅgaḥ)
- contact with merit and sin (puṇya:merit | pāpa:sin | rajaḥ:dust | saṅgaḥ:contact)
- मम (mama)
- my
- न (na)
- not
- अस्ति (asti)
- is
- इति (iti)
- thus
- वेदनम् (vedanam)
- knowledge
- पाद्यम् (pādyam)
- water for washing feet
- समर्पयेत् (samarpayet)
- should offer
- विद्वन् (vidvan)
- wise one
- सर्वकल्मषनाशनम् (sarvakalmaṣanāśanam)
- destroyer of all impurities (sarva:all | kalmaṣa:impurities | nāśanam:destroyer)
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Verse 12
अनादिकल्पविधृतमूलाज्ञानजलाञ्जलिम् ।
विसृजेदात्मलिङ्गस्य तदेवार्घ्यसमर्पणम् ॥ 12 ॥
anādikalpavidhṛtamūlājñānajalāñjalim ।
visṛjēdātmaliṅgasya tadēvārghyasamarpaṇam ॥ 12 ॥
One should pour out the handful of water that is the primal ignorance held since beginningless time. This itself is the offering of water (arghya) to the Self-symbol.
Word by word
- अनादिकल्पविधृतमूलाज्ञानजलाञ्जलिम् (anādikalpavidhṛtamūlājñānajalāñjalim)
- handful of primal ignorance (anādi:beginningless | kalpa:since time immemorial | vidhṛta:held | mūla:root | ajñāna:ignorance | jala:water | añjali:handful)
- विसृजेत् (visṛjet)
- should pour out
- आत्मलिङ्गस्य (ātmalıṅgasya)
- of the Self-symbol (ātma:Self | liṅgasya:of the symbol)
- तदेव (tadeva)
- that itself
- अर्घ्यसमर्पणम् (arghyasamarpaṇam)
- offering of water (arghya:water offering | samarpaṇam:offering)
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Verse 13
ब्रह्मानन्दाब्धिकल्लोलकणकोट्यंशलेशकम् ।
पिबन्तीन्द्रादय इति ध्यानमाचमनं मतम् ॥ 13 ॥
brahmānandābdhikallōlakaṇakōṭyaṃśalēśakam ।
pibantīndrādaya iti dhyānamāchamanaṃ matam ॥ 13 ॥
Indra and other gods drink but a tiny drop from the waves of Brahman's ocean of bliss.' This meditation is considered the sipping (achamana).
Word by word
- ब्रह्मानन्दाब्धिकल्लोलकणकोट्यंशलेशकम् (brahmānandābdhikallolakaṇakoṭyaṃśaleśakam)
- tiny drop from bliss ocean (brahma:Brahman | ānanda:bliss | abdhi:ocean | kallola:waves | kaṇa:drop | koṭi:crore | aṃśa:part | leśa:tiny)
- पिबन्ति (pibanti)
- drink
- इन्द्रादयः (indrādayaḥ)
- Indra and others (indra:Indra | ādayaḥ:and others)
- इति (iti)
- thus
- ध्यानम् (dhyānam)
- meditation
- आचमनम् (āchamanam)
- sipping
- मतम् (matam)
- considered
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Verse 14
ब्रह्मानन्दजलेनैव लोकाः सर्वे परिप्लुताः ।
अच्छेद्योऽयमिति ध्यानमभिषेचनमात्मनः ॥ 14 ॥
brahmānandajalēnaiva lōkāḥ sarvē pariplutāḥ ।
achChēdyō'yamiti dhyānamabhiṣēchanamātmanaḥ ॥ 14 ॥
All worlds are flooded by the waters of Brahman's bliss, which is undivided.' This meditation is the bathing (abhishechana) of the Self.
Word by word
- ब्रह्मानन्दजलेनैव (brahmānandajalenaiva)
- by the waters of Brahman's bliss (brahma:Brahman | ānanda:bliss | jalena:by the waters | eva:indeed)
- लोकाः (lokāḥ)
- worlds
- सर्वे (sarve)
- all
- परिप्लुताः (pariplutāḥ)
- flooded
- अच्छेद्यः (acchedyaḥ)
- undivided
- अयम् (ayam)
- this
- इति (iti)
- thus
- ध्यानम् (dhyānam)
- meditation
- अभिषेचनम् (abhiṣecanam)
- bathing
- आत्मनः (ātmanaḥ)
- of the Self
॥ १५ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 15
निरावरणचैतन्यं प्रकाशोऽस्मीति चिन्तनम् ।
आत्मलिङ्गस्य सद्वस्त्रमित्येवं चिन्तयेन्मुनिः ॥ 15 ॥
nirāvaraṇachaitanyaṃ prakāśō'smīti chintanam ।
ātmaliṅgasya sadvastramityēvaṃ chintayēnmuniḥ ॥ 15 ॥
I am the unveiled light of pure Consciousness.' This contemplation is the sacred cloth (sad vastram) for the Self-symbol. Thus should the sage think.
Word by word
- निरावरणचैतन्यम् (nirāvaraṇachaitanyam)
- unveiled consciousness (nirāvaraṇa:unveiled | chaitanyam:consciousness)
- प्रकाशः (prakāśaḥ)
- light
- अस्मि (asmi)
- I am
- इति (iti)
- thus
- चिन्तनम् (chintanam)
- contemplation
- आत्मलिङ्गस्य (ātmalıṅgasya)
- of the Self-symbol (ātma:Self | liṅgasya:of the symbol)
- सद्वस्त्रम् (sadvastram)
- sacred cloth (sat:sacred | vastram:cloth)
- इति (iti)
- thus
- एवम् (evam)
- in this way
- चिन्तयेत् (chintayet)
- should think
- मुनिः (muniḥ)
- sage
॥ १६ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 16
त्रिगुणात्माशेषलोकमालिकासूत्रमस्म्यहम् ।
इति निश्चयमेवात्र ह्युपवीतं परं मतम् ॥ 16 ॥
triguṇātmāśēṣalōkamālikāsūtramasmyaham ।
iti niśchayamēvātra hyupavītaṃ paraṃ matam ॥ 16 ॥
I am the thread on which all worlds made of the three gunas are strung like a garland.' This conviction is truly considered the supreme sacred thread (upavita).
Word by word
- त्रिगुणात्मा (triguṇātmā)
- having the nature of three qualities (tri:three | guṇa:qualities | ātmā:nature)
- अशेष (aśeṣa)
- all
- लोक (loka)
- worlds
- मालिका (mālikā)
- garland
- सूत्रम् (sūtram)
- thread
- अस्मि (asmi)
- I am
- अहम् (aham)
- I
- इति (iti)
- thus
- निश्चयम् (niścayam)
- conviction
- एव (eva)
- indeed
- अत्र (atra)
- here
- हि (hi)
- certainly
- उपवीतं (upavītam)
- sacred thread
- परं (param)
- supreme
- मतम् (matam)
- considered
॥ १७ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 17
अनेकवासनामिश्रप्रपञ्चोऽयं धृतो मया ।
नान्येनेत्यनुसन्धानमात्मनश्चन्दनं भवेत् ॥ 17 ॥
anēkavāsanāmiśraprapañchō'yaṃ dhṛtō mayā ।
nānyēnētyanusandhānamātmanaśchandanaṃ bhavēt ॥ 17 ॥
This manifold world mixed with countless tendencies is upheld by me alone, and by none other.' This reflection is the sandal paste (chandana) of the Self.
Word by word
- अनेक (aneka)
- manifold
- वासनामिश्र (vāsanāmiśra)
- mixed with tendencies (vāsanā:tendencies | miśra:mixed with)
- प्रपञ्चः (prapañcaḥ)
- world
- अयम् (ayam)
- this
- धृतः (dhṛtaḥ)
- upheld
- मया (mayā)
- by me
- न (na)
- not
- अन्येन (anyena)
- by another
- इति (iti)
- thus
- अनुसन्धानम् (anusandhānam)
- reflection
- आत्मनः (ātmanaḥ)
- of the Self
- चन्दनम् (chandanam)
- sandal paste
- भवेत् (bhavet)
- becomes
॥ १८ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 18
रजःसत्त्वतमोवृत्तित्यागरूपैस्तिलाक्षतैः ।
आत्मलिङ्गं यजेन्नित्यं जीवन्मुक्तिप्रसिद्धये ॥ 18 ॥
rajaḥsattvatamōvṛttityāgarūpaistilākṣataiḥ ।
ātmaliṅgaṃ yajēnnityaṃ jīvanmuktiprasiddhayē ॥ 18 ॥
With sesame-flowers representing renunciation of the movements of sattva, rajas and tamas, one should constantly worship the Self-symbol to achieve liberation while living.
Word by word
- रजःसत्त्वतमोवृत्तित्यागरूपैः (rajaḥsattvatamovṛttityāgarūpaiḥ)
- with forms of renunciation (rajaḥ:rajas | sattva:sattva | tamaḥ:tamas | vṛtti:movements | tyāga:renunciation | rūpaiḥ:with forms)
- तिलाक्षतैः (tilākṣataiḥ)
- with sesame-flowers (tila:sesame | akṣataiḥ:with flowers)
- आत्मलिङ्गं (ātmaliṅgaṃ)
- Self-symbol (ātma:self | liṅgaṃ:symbol)
- यजेत् (yajet)
- should worship
- नित्यं (nityaṃ)
- constantly
- जीवन्मुक्तिप्रसिद्धये (jīvanmuktiprasiddhaye)
- to achieve liberation while living (jīvan:living | mukti:liberation | prasiddhaye:to achieve)
॥ १९ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 19
ईश्वरो गुरुरात्मेति भेदत्रयविवर्जितैः ।
बिल्वपत्रैरद्वितीयैरात्मलिङ्गं यजेच्छिवम् ॥ 19 ॥
īśvarō gururātmēti bhēdatrayavivarjitaiḥ ।
bilvapatrairadvitīyairātmaliṅgaṃ yajēchChivam ॥ 19 ॥
With non-dual Bel leaves free from the three-fold distinction of Lord, guru and Self, one should worship Lord Shiva as the Self-symbol.
Word by word
- ईश्वरः (īśvaraḥ)
- Lord
- गुरुः (guruḥ)
- guru
- आत्मा (ātmā)
- Self
- इति (iti)
- thus
- भेदत्रयविवर्जितैः (bhedatrayavivarjitaiḥ)
- free from three-fold distinction (bheda:distinction | traya:three-fold | vivarjitaiḥ:free from)
- बिल्वपत्रैः (bilvapatraiḥ)
- with Bel leaves (bilva:Bel | patraiḥ:with leaves)
- अद्वितीयैः (advitīyaiḥ)
- non-dual
- आत्मलिङ्गम् (ātmalıṅgam)
- Self-symbol (ātma:Self | liṅgam:symbol)
- यजेत् (yajet)
- should worship
- शिवम् (śivam)
- Shiva
॥ २० ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 20
समस्तवासनात्यागं धूपं तस्य विचिन्तयेत् ।
ज्योतिर्मयात्मविज्ञानं दीपं सन्दर्शयेद्बुधः ॥ 20 ॥
samastavāsanātyāgaṃ dhūpaṃ tasya vichintayēt ।
jyōtirmayātmavijñānaṃ dīpaṃ sandarśayēdbudhaḥ ॥ 20 ॥
One should consider His incense (dhupa) to be the abandonment of all mental impressions. The wise one should display the lamp (dipa) as knowledge of the Self as pure light.
Word by word
- समस्तवासनात्यागं (samastavāsanātyāgaṃ)
- abandonment of all impressions (samasta:all | vāsanā:impressions | tyāgaṃ:abandonment)
- धूपं (dhūpaṃ)
- incense
- तस्य (tasya)
- his
- विचिन्तयेत् (vicintayet)
- should consider
- ज्योतिर्मयात्मविज्ञानं (jyotirmayātmavijñānaṃ)
- knowledge of Self as pure light (jyotis:light | maya:consisting of | ātma:Self | vijñānaṃ:knowledge)
- दीपं (dīpaṃ)
- lamp
- सन्दर्शयेत् (sandarśayet)
- should display
- बुधः (budhaḥ)
- wise one
॥ २१ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 21
नैवेद्यमात्मलिङ्गस्य ब्रह्माण्डाख्यं महोदनम् ।
पिबानन्दरसं स्वादु मृत्युरस्योपसेचनम् ॥ 21 ॥
naivēdyamātmaliṅgasya brahmāṇḍākhyaṃ mahōdanam ।
pibānandarasaṃ svādu mṛtyurasyōpasēchanam ॥ 21 ॥
The food offering (naivedyam) to the Self-symbol is the great rice-pudding called Brahma's cosmic egg. Drink the sweet nectar of bliss, which is the beverage (upasechana) for Mrityu, Lord Shiva.
Word by word
- नैवेद्यम् (naivedyam)
- food offering
- आत्मलिङ्गस्य (ātmalıṅgasya)
- of the Self-symbol (ātma:self | liṅgasya:of the symbol)
- ब्रह्माण्डाख्यम् (brahmāṇḍākhyam)
- called Brahma's cosmic egg (brahma:Brahma | aṇḍa:egg | ākhyam:called)
- महोदनम् (mahodanam)
- great rice-pudding (maha:great | odanam:rice-pudding)
- पिब (piba)
- drink
- आनन्दरसम् (ānandarasam)
- sweet nectar of bliss (ānanda:bliss | rasam:nectar)
- स्वादु (svādu)
- sweet
- मृत्युः (mṛtyuḥ)
- Mrityu, Lord Shiva
- अस्य (asya)
- for him
- उपसेचनम् (upasecanam)
- beverage
॥ २२ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 22
अज्ञानोच्छिष्टकरस्य क्षालनं ज्ञानवारिणा ।
विशुद्धस्यात्मलिङ्गस्य हस्तप्रक्षालनं स्मरेत् ॥ 22 ॥
ajñānōchChiṣṭakarasya kṣālanaṃ jñānavāriṇā ।
viśuddhasyātmaliṅgasya hastaprakṣālanaṃ smarēt ॥ 22 ॥
Washing away the leftovers of ignorance with the water of knowledge—one should remember this as the washing of hands (hasta prakshalana) of the pure Self-symbol.
Word by word
- अज्ञानोच्छिष्टकरस्य (ajñānocchiṣṭakarasya)
- of the one with ignorance remnants (ajñāna:ignorance | ucchiṣṭa:remnants | karasya:of the doer)
- क्षालनं (kṣālanam)
- washing
- ज्ञानवारिणा (jñānavāriṇā)
- with the water of knowledge (jñāna:knowledge | vāriṇā:with water)
- विशुद्धस्य (viśuddhasya)
- of the pure
- आत्मलिङ्गस्य (ātmalıṅgasya)
- of the Self-symbol (ātma:Self | liṅgasya:of the symbol)
- हस्तप्रक्षालनं (hastaprakṣālanam)
- washing of hands (hasta:hands | prakṣālanam:washing)
- स्मरेत् (smaret)
- should remember
॥ २३ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 23
रागादिगुणशून्यस्य शिवस्य परमात्मनः ।
सरागविषयाभ्यासत्यागस्ताम्बूलचर्वणम् ॥ 23 ॥
rāgādiguṇaśūnyasya śivasya paramātmanaḥ ।
sarāgaviṣayābhyāsatyāgastāmbūlacharvaṇam ॥ 23 ॥
Abandoning attachment to sense objects—this is the chewing of betel (tambula) for Lord Shiva, the Supreme Self who is free from passion and other qualities.
Word by word
- राग (rāga)
- attachment
- आदि (ādi)
- and others
- गुण (guṇa)
- qualities
- शून्यस्य (śūnyasya)
- devoid of
- शिवस्य (śivasya)
- of Shiva
- परमात्मनः (paramātmanaḥ)
- of the Supreme Self
- सराग (sarāga)
- with attachment
- विषय (viṣaya)
- sense objects
- अभ्यास (abhyāsa)
- practice
- त्याग (tyāga)
- abandonment
- ताम्बूल (tāmbūla)
- betel
- चर्वणम् (carvaṇam)
- chewing
॥ २४ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 24
अज्ञानध्वान्तविध्वंसप्रचण्डमतिभास्करम् ।
आत्मनो ब्रह्मताज्ञानं नीराजनमिहात्मनः ॥ 24 ॥
ajñānadhvāntavidhvaṃsaprachaṇḍamatibhāskaram ।
ātmanō brahmatājñānaṃ nīrājanamihātmanaḥ ॥ 24 ॥
Knowledge of one's identity with Brahman, blazing brilliantly and destroying the darkness of ignorance—that is the waving of lights (nirajana) for the Self.
Word by word
- अज्ञानध्वान्तविध्वंसप्रचण्डमतिभास्करम् (ajñānadhvāntavidhvaṃsaprachaṇḍamatibhāskaram)
- destroyer of ignorance's darkness (ajñāna:ignorance | dhvānta:darkness | vidhvaṃsa:destroyer | prachaṇḍa:intense | mati:intellect | bhāskara:brilliant)
- आत्मनः (ātmanaḥ)
- of the Self
- ब्रह्मता (brahmatā)
- identity with Brahman
- ज्ञानं (jñānaṃ)
- knowledge
- नीराजनम् (nīrājanam)
- waving of lights
- इह (iha)
- here
- आत्मनः (ātmanaḥ)
- for the Self
॥ २५ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 25
विविधब्रह्मसन्दृष्टिर्मालिकाभिरलङ्कृतम् ।
पूर्णानन्दात्मतादृष्टिं पुष्पाञ्जलिमनुस्मरेत् ॥ 25 ॥
vividhabrahmasandṛṣṭirmālikābhiralaṅkṛtam ।
pūrṇānandātmatādṛṣṭiṃ puṣpāñjalimanusmarēt ॥ 25 ॥
The vision of Brahman in its manifold forms is the ornament of garlands. One should then remember the vision of the Self's all-blissful nature as the offering of flowers (pushpanjali).
Word by word
- विविध (vividha)
- various
- ब्रह्म (brahma)
- Brahman
- सन्दृष्टिः (sandṛṣṭiḥ)
- vision
- मालिकाभिः (mālikābhiḥ)
- with garlands
- अलङ्कृतम् (alaṅkṛtam)
- adorned
- पूर्ण (pūrṇa)
- complete
- आनन्द (ānanda)
- bliss
- आत्मता (ātmatā)
- nature of the Self
- दृष्टिं (dṛṣṭiṃ)
- vision
- पुष्पाञ्जलिम् (puṣpāñjalim)
- offering of flowers (puṣpa:flower | añjalim:offering)
- अनुस्मरेत् (anusmaret)
- should remember
॥ २६ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 26
परिभ्रमन्ति ब्रह्माण्डसहस्राणि मयीश्वरे ।
कूटस्थाचलरूपोऽहमिति ध्यानं प्रदक्षिणम् ॥ 26 ॥
paribhramanti brahmāṇḍasahasrāṇi mayīśvarē ।
kūṭasthāchalarūpō'hamiti dhyānaṃ pradakṣiṇam ॥ 26 ॥
Thousands of cosmic eggs revolve within me, the Lord, whose nature is immovable and unshakeable.' This meditation is the circumambulation (pradakshina).
Word by word
- परिभ्रमन्ति (paribhramanti)
- revolve
- ब्रह्माण्डसहस्राणि (brahmāṇḍasahasrāṇi)
- thousands of cosmic eggs (brahmāṇḍa:cosmic egg | sahasrāṇi:thousands)
- मयीश्वरे (mayīśvare)
- within me, the Lord (mayi:within me | īśvare:the Lord)
- कूटस्थाचलरूपः (kūṭasthāchalarūpaḥ)
- immovable and unshakeable nature (kūṭastha:immovable | acalarūpaḥ:unshakeable nature)
- अहम् (aham)
- I
- इति (iti)
- thus
- ध्यानं (dhyānam)
- meditation
- प्रदक्षिणम् (pradakṣiṇam)
- circumambulation
॥ २७ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 27
विश्ववन्द्योऽहमेवास्मि नास्ति वन्द्यो मदन्यतः ।
इत्यालोचनमेवात्र स्वात्मलिङ्गस्य वन्दनम् ॥ 27 ॥
viśvavandyō'hamēvāsmi nāsti vandyō madanyataḥ ।
ityālōchanamēvātra svātmaliṅgasya vandanam ॥ 27 ॥
I alone am worthy of universal salutation. There is nothing worthy of salutation other than my true Self.' This understanding is the salutation (vandana) to one's own Self-symbol.
Word by word
- विश्ववन्द्यः (viśvavandyaḥ)
- worthy of universal salutation (viśva:universal | vandyaḥ:worthy of salutation)
- अहम् (aham)
- I
- एव (eva)
- alone
- अस्मि (asmi)
- am
- नास्ति (nāsti)
- there is not
- वन्द्यः (vandyaḥ)
- worthy of salutation
- मत् (mat)
- my
- अन्यतः (anyataḥ)
- other than
- इति (iti)
- thus
- आलोचनम् (ālocanam)
- understanding
- एव (eva)
- alone
- अत्र (atra)
- here
- स्वात्मलिङ्गस्य (svātmaliṅgasya)
- of one's own Self-symbol (sva:own | ātma:Self | liṅgasya:of the symbol)
- वन्दनम् (vandanaṃ)
- salutation
॥ २८ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 28
आत्मनः सत्क्रिया प्रोक्ता कर्तव्याभावभावना ।
नामरूपव्यतीतात्मचिन्तनं नामकीर्तनम् ॥ 28 ॥
ātmanaḥ satkriyā prōktā kartavyābhāvabhāvanā ।
nāmarūpavyatītātmachintanaṃ nāmakīrtanam ॥ 28 ॥
The understanding of the unreality of prescribed duties is called the sacred action (sat kriya) of the Self. Contemplating the Self as beyond names and forms is the chanting of His name (nama kirtana).
Word by word
- आत्मनः (ātmanaḥ)
- of the Self
- सत्क्रिया (satkriyā)
- sacred action (sat:sacred | kriyā:action)
- प्रोक्ता (proktā)
- is called
- कर्तव्याभावभावना (kartavyābhāvabhāvanā)
- understanding of unreality of duties (kartavya:prescribed duties | abhāva:unreality | bhāvanā:understanding)
- नामरूपव्यतीतात्मचिन्तनं (nāmarūpavyatītātmacintanaṃ)
- contemplating Self beyond names/forms (nāma:names | rūpa:forms | vyatīta:beyond | ātma:Self | cintanaṃ:contemplating)
- नामकीर्तनम् (nāmakīrtanam)
- chanting of His name (nāma:name | kīrtanam:chanting)
॥ २९ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 29
श्रवणं तस्य देवस्य श्रोतव्याभावचिन्तनम् ।
मननं त्वात्मलिङ्गस्य मन्तव्याभावचिन्तनम् ॥ 29 ॥
śravaṇaṃ tasya dēvasya śrōtavyābhāvachintanam ।
mananaṃ tvātmaliṅgasya mantavyābhāvachintanam ॥ 29 ॥
The hearing (shravana) of that Divine is contemplating the unreality of objects to be heard. The reflection (manana) on the Self-symbol is contemplating the unreality of objects to be reflected upon.
Word by word
- श्रवणम् (śravaṇam)
- hearing
- तस्य (tasya)
- of that
- देवस्य (devasya)
- of the Divine
- श्रोतव्याभावचिन्तनम् (śrotavyābhāvachintanam)
- contemplating unreality of objects to be heard (śrotavya:to be heard | abhāva:unreality | chintanam:contemplating)
- मननम् (mananam)
- reflection
- तु (tu)
- but
- आत्मलिङ्गस्य (ātmalıṅgasya)
- of the Self-symbol (ātma:Self | liṅgasya:of the symbol)
- मन्तव्याभावचिन्तनम् (mantavyābhāvachintanam)
- contemplating unreality of objects to be reflected upon (mantavya:to be reflected upon | abhāva:unreality | chintanam:contemplating)
॥ ३० ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 30
ध्यातव्याभावविज्ञानं निदिध्यासनमात्मनः ।
समस्तभ्रान्तिविक्षेपराहित्येनात्मनिष्ठता ॥ 30 ॥
dhyātavyābhāvavijñānaṃ nididhyāsanamātmanaḥ ।
samastabhrāntivikṣēparāhityēnātmaniṣṭhatā ॥ 30 ॥
The knowledge that there is nothing separate to be meditated upon—this itself is deep meditation (nididhyasana) on the Self. Complete establishment in the Self, free from all delusion and mental distraction, is true absorption.
Word by word
- ध्यातव्याभावविज्ञानं (dhyātavyābhāvavijñānaṃ)
- knowledge of absence of meditation (dhyātavya:to be meditated upon | abhāva:absence | vijñānaṃ:knowledge)
- निदिध्यासनम् (nididhyāsanam)
- deep meditation
- आत्मनः (ātmanaḥ)
- of the Self
- समस्तभ्रान्तिविक्षेपराहित्येन (samastabhrāntivikṣēparāhityēna)
- free from all delusion and distraction (samasta:all | bhrānti:delusion | vikṣēpa:distraction | rāhityēna:free from)
- आत्मनिष्ठता (ātmaniṣṭhatā)
- establishment in the Self (ātma:Self | niṣṭhatā:establishment)
॥ ३१ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 31
समाधिरात्मनो नाम नान्यच्चित्तस्य विभ्रमः ।
तत्रैव बह्मणि सदा चित्तविश्रान्तिरिष्यते ॥ 31 ॥
samādhirātmanō nāma nānyachchittasya vibhramaḥ ।
tatraiva bahmaṇi sadā chittaviśrāntiriṣyatē ॥ 31 ॥
This is called samadhi of the Self—not the mental confusion of one whose mind rests on something other than the Self. This eternal resting of the mind in Brahman alone is the true repose of consciousness.
Word by word
- समाधिः (samādhiḥ)
- meditation
- आत्मनः (ātmanaḥ)
- of the Self
- नाम (nāma)
- called
- न (na)
- not
- अन्यत् (anyat)
- other
- चित्तस्य (cittasya)
- of the mind
- विभ्रमः (vibhramaḥ)
- confusion
- तत्र (tatra)
- there
- एव (eva)
- alone
- ब्रह्मणि (brahmaṇi)
- in Brahman
- सदा (sadā)
- always
- चित्तविश्रान्तिः (cittaviśrāntiḥ)
- repose of consciousness (citta:consciousness | viśrāntiḥ:repose)
- इष्यते (iṣyate)
- is desired
॥ ३२ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 32
एवं वेदान्तकल्पोक्तस्वात्मलिङ्गप्रपूजनम् ।
कुर्वन्ना मरणं वापि क्षणं वा सुसमाहितः ॥ 32 ॥
ēvaṃ vēdāntakalpōktasvātmaliṅgaprapūjanam ।
kurvannā maraṇaṃ vāpi kṣaṇaṃ vā susamāhitaḥ ॥ 32 ॥
Thus performing this worship of one's own Self-symbol as taught in Vedanta—whether until death or even for a single moment—the one who is deeply concentrated should cast off the entire web of negative tendencies like dust from one's feet.
Word by word
- एवम् (evam)
- thus
- वेदान्तकल्पोक्त (vedāntakalpokta)
- as taught in Vedanta (vedānta:Vedanta | kalpokta:as taught)
- स्वात्मलिङ्गप्रपूजनम् (svātmaliṅgaprapūjanam)
- worship of one's own Self-symbol (sva:own | ātma:Self | liṅga:symbol | prapūjanam:worship)
- कुर्वन् (kurvan)
- performing
- न (na)
- not
- मरणम् (maraṇam)
- death
- वा (vā)
- or
- अपि (api)
- even
- क्षणम् (kṣaṇam)
- moment
- वा (vā)
- or
- सुसमाहितः (susamāhitaḥ)
- deeply concentrated
॥ ३३ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 33
सर्वदुर्वासनाजालं पदपांसुमिव त्यजेत् ।
विधूयाज्ञानदुःखौघं मोक्षानन्दं समश्नुते ॥ 33 ॥
sarvadurvāsanājālaṃ padapāṃsumiva tyajēt ।
vidhūyājñānaduḥkhaughaṃ mōkṣānandaṃ samaśnutē ॥ 33 ॥
Having shaken off the mass of ignorance and suffering, one attains the bliss of liberation (moksha).
Word by word
- सर्वदुर्वासनाजालं (sarvadurvāsanājālaṃ)
- mass of all bad tendencies (sarva:all | durvāsanā:bad tendencies | jālaṃ:mass)
- पदपांसुमिव (padapāṃsumiva)
- like dust on feet (pada:feet | pāṃsu:dust | iva:like)
- त्यजेत् (tyajet)
- should abandon
- विधूय (vidhūya)
- having shaken off
- अज्ञानदुःखौघं (ajñānaduḥkhaughaṃ)
- mass of ignorance and suffering (ajñāna:ignorance | duḥkha:suffering | aughaṃ:mass)
- मोक्षानन्दं (mokṣānandaṃ)
- bliss of liberation (mokṣa:liberation | ānandaṃ:bliss)
- समश्नुते (samaśnute)
- attains
ॐ
