SHIVOHAM
Recitation
(click above for sound)
1.
Mano Buddhy Ahankãra Chittãni Nãham
Na Cha Shrotra Jihve Na Cha Ghrãna Netre
Na Cha Vyoma Bhumir Na Tejo Na Vãyuhu
Chidãnanda Rupaha Shivoham Shivoham
2.
Na Cha Prãna Sangyo Na Vai Pancha Vãyuhu
Na Vã Sapta Dhãtur Na Vã Pancha Koshahaha
Na Vãk Pãni-Pãdau Na Chopastha Pãyu
Chidãnanda Rupaha Shivoham Shivoham
3.
Na Mey Dvesha Rãgau Na Mey Lobha Mohau
Mado Naiva Me Naiva Mãtsarya Bhãvahaha
Dharmo Na Chãrtho Na Kãmo Na Mokshaha
Chidãnanda Rupaha Shivoham Shivoham
4.
Na Punyam Na Pãpam
Na Saukhyam Na Duhkham
Na Mantro Na Tirtham Na Vedã Na Yagyaha
Aham Bhojanam Naiva Bhojyam Na Bhoktã
Chidãnanda Rupaha Shivoham Shivoham
5.
Na Mey Mrityu Shankã Na Mey Jãti Bhedaha
Pitã Naiva Me Naiva Mãtã Na Janmahana
Bandhur Na Mitram Gurur Naiva Shishyaha
Chidãnanda Rupaha Shivoham Shivoham
6.
Aham Nirvikalpo Nirãkãra Rupo
Vibhutvãcha Sarvatra Sarvendriyãnam
Na Chã Sangatham Naiva Muktir Na Meyaha
Chidãnanda Rupaha Shivoham Shivoham
Translation
1.
I am not mind, nor intellect, nor ego, nor the reflections of the inner self.
I am not the five senses, I am beyond the organs of hearing, tasting, smelling, seeing.
I am not the five elements, I am beyond the ether, the earth, the fire, the rain, the wind.
I am the form Consciousness, I am the form Bliss. I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
2.
Neither am I the vital force, nor the five types of breath,
Nor the seven material essences, nor the five coverings of the body.
Neither am I the five organs of elimination, procreation, grasping, moving, or speaking.
I am the form Consciousness, I am the form Bliss. I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
3.
I have no attraction or aversion, no like or dislike, no greed or delusion,
No pride have I, no feelings of envy or jealousy.
I am not bound by the four aims of life — not by duty, not by wealth, not by desire, not by liberation.
I am the form Consciousness, I am the form Bliss. I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
4.
I am without merit or sin, without joy or sorrow.
I have no mantra, no holy place, no scriptures, no sacrifices.
Neither experiencer, nor experienced, nor experience am I.
I am the form Consciousness, I am the form Bliss. I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
5.
I have no fear of death, I have no death.
I have no separation, no distinction, no discrimination.
I have no father or mother, I have no birth.
I am not the relative or the friend, I am not the guru or the disciple.
I am the form Consciousness, I am the form Bliss. I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
6.
I am everywhere, without any attributes, without any form.
Being everything, everlasting, self-sustaining, I need nothing.
I have no attachment and no liberation.
I am the form Consciousness, I am the form Bliss. I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
GURU MANTRA
Recitation
(click above for sound)
Gurur Brahmã Gurur Vishnu
Gurur Devo Maheshvaraha
Gurur Sãkshãt Para Brahmã
Tasmay Shri Guraveya Namaha
Dhyana Mulam Gurur Murti
Puja Mulam Gurur Padam
Mantra Mulam Gurur Vakyam
Moksha Mulam Gurur Kripa
Chorus
Gurur Kripa: Gurur Brahmã Gurur Vishnu
Gurur Kripa: Gurur Devo Maheshvaraha
Gurur Kripa: Gurur Sãkshãt Para Brahmã
Gurur Kripa: Tasmay Shri Guruvey Namaha
Song of Joy and Celebration
Brahmanandam Parama Sukhadam
Kevalam Ghyanamurtim
Dvandvatitam Gagana Satrisham
Tatvamasyadi Laksham
Ekam Nityam Vimala Machalam
Sarvati Sakshi Bhutam
Bhavatitam Triguna Rahitam
Satguru Tam Namami
Translation
The Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu,
The Guru is the Great Lord Maheshvara.
Truly the Ultimate Reality is the Guru,
Salutations to the Guru!
The root of meditation is the Guru’s form,
The root of worship is the Guru’s feet,
The root of mantra is the Guru’s word,
The root of liberation is the Guru’s grace.
Chorus
Guru’s Grace: The Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu!
Guru’s Grace: The Guru is the Great Lord Maheshvara!
Guru’s Grace: Truly the Ultimate Reality is the Guru!
Guru’s Grace: Salutations to the Guru!
Song of Joy and Celebration
Supreme bliss, supreme joy,
All-encompassing knowing,
Beyond division, like endless space,
The goal of all seeking.
The One, the infinite, clear and still,
The watcher who witnesses every action,
The One beyond the three realms,
Salutations to that True Guru!
100-SYLLABLE MANTRA TO VAJRASATTVA
Recitation
(click above for sound)
Om Benza Sato Samaya
Manu Palaya
Benza Sato Tenopa
Titha Dridho Me Bawa
Suto Kayo Me Bawa
Supo Kayo Me Bawa
Anu Rakto Me Bawa
Sarwa Siddi Me Prayatsa
Sarwa Karma Tsu Tsame
Tsitam Shreya Kuru Hum
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ho Bhagawan
Sarwa Tathagata
Benza Mame Muntsa
Benzi Bawa Maha Samaya
Sato Ah.
Translation
This mantra, originally composed in Sanskrit, became Tibetan Buddhism’s most popular Guru mantra — after “Om Ah Hum” and “Om Ah Hum Benza Guru Pema Siddi Hum” — and perhaps its most direct appeal to Vajrasattva, the Being of the Cosmic Thunderbolt, known in Tibetan as Benza Sato.
Sanskrit was created in antiquity to be a perfect language based on the science of sound and vibration, with a perfect grammar still unparalleled today. As such, it was adopted as the official language of Hindu worship, called sanatana dharma or, more accurately, sanatan dharam — meaning “Eternal Law” or “Everlasting Order.” Scripture, liturgy, poetry and hymn of praise were composed in it, though it was never much of a spoken language, like the Latin of the Roman Church.
The sound of mantra recitation is what’s significant and effective, not the meaning of the words. Therefore it’s not essential to know its meaning for a mantra to work on the physical and psychic levels, vibrating in harmony with your nervous system.
For that reason, I’m not going to give the meaning of the Vajrasattva Mantra, which you can look up on Google or YouTube anytime. Instead, please enjoy the mantra as sound and vibration. And if you can memorize the recitation given above, even better! Then you can add your own voice to that vibration. I hope you feel the bliss and the power!
_________
Thank you to singer and composer Manish Vyas for providing on his website a transliteration of the Sanskrit along with English translations of the mantras, and also for performing the Guru Mantra and Shivoham. Formally called the Nirvana Shatkam or Atma Shatkam, Shivoham was composed in the 8th century by Adi Shankara, the prolific genius who composed many devotional songs that are still recited today (such as the Kaalbhairav Ashtakam, the most famous hymn to the terrible form of Shiva, known as Bhairav). Thank you also to the Geet Ganga website, which provided the screenshot of the Sanskrit script, as well as an alternative translation of the Atma Shatkam which was used to make the new translation given above.