Guest guest Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 Namaskar Advaitins and Scholars of Vedanta, I have two questions for you. Recently I was having a discussion with a friend of mine. (We are both students of Advaita/Vedanta in the tradition as taught by Swami Dayananda). I tried to tell my friend about a beautiful bhajan, which I believe was composed by Shankara. The words of the refrain are: Chidananda Rupa Shivohum Shivohum Perhaps many of you are familiar with this bhajan, which lists everything that one is not, and then repeatedly states the refrain above. I mentioned to my friend that Shivohum Shivohum means the same things as Tat Tvam Asi, and she said that it did not. She has done some research and has now written to me with the following information: " Any sentence that points out the identity of the self with Brahman is a mahavayka. There are technically four: One from each Veda which shows that they are saying the same thing. Tat tvam Assi - That Thou Art (from Chandogya upanisad. Sama Veda ) Aham Brahma Asmi- I am Brahman (from Brhadaranyaka upanisad. Yajur Veda ) Ayam atma Brahma - This self is Brahman (from Mandukya upanisad. Atharva Veda ) Prajnanam Brahma - Consciousness is Brahman (from Aitareya upanisad. Rg. Veda )" End Quote While the phrase Shivohum may not be one of the four Mahavakyas which my friend lists above, I am still of the opinion that its meaning is the same. Does any one know if this is true? Especially as it is used in the bhajan? Also, does anyone know of a link which provides the exact words to this bhajan, and a good translation in English? And is the bhajan actually attributed to Shankara as I had thought? Many thanks and pranams, Durga Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 advaitin, "Durga" <durgaji108> wrote: > > Namaskar Advaitins and Scholars of Vedanta, > > I > > I mentioned to my friend that Shivohum Shivohum > means the same things as Tat Tvam Asi, and she > said that it did not. > Namaste,Durga, Sivohum, Siva Sohum or Aham is the same thing as saying Aham Brahmasmi. I am God. However this admits to duality, as there are two persons there, you and God. Whereas 'Kohum' or 'Who am I' doesn't posit the duality, and goes direct to the source...............ONS...Tony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 "Durga" <durgaji108 <advaitin> Monday, December 19, 2005 6:29 PM Two Questions > Also, does anyone know of a link which provides the > exact words to this bhajan, and a good translation in > English? And is the bhajan actually attributed to > Shankara as I had thought? Dear Durgaji: Actually, this is more than two questions;-) The only one I can answer for you is to tell you that itis on a CD by the Art of Living Institute called Sacred Chants of Shiva. Just google in the title and you can find a number of links where you can purchase it if you like. I have the CD and it is one of my favorites. It also has the Shiva Manasa Puja and another Shankara shloka which AdiMa mentioned in one of her Bhakti/Jnana posts, Bhavanyastakam. _/\_ Joyce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 Durga-ji! The beautiful bhajan you are refrring to is the Nirvana Shatakam composed by Jagadguru Adi Shankara Bhagvadapada. here is the story surrounding this composition ... Nirvana Shatakam By Sri Adi Shankara [ 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 http://www.indiadivine.org/hinduism/articles/220/1/Nirvana-Shatakam - you can hear this bhajan in the melodious voice of vocalist Sri Rasbihari Desai at http://www.divyajivan.org/shivaratri/audio clips.htm - 12k - Cached - durgaji : These verses are part of Jnana yoga . i would encourage you to read the following material presented http://geocities.com/advaitins/Quintessence.html - 15k - Cached I am siva means i am siva, the god ! it can also mean i have attained sivahood ! Whether SIVA(GOD) is Brahman or Brahman is Siva, i am not qualified to answer ! i would let other learned members here tackle that question! the translation of the sloka i have posted may not be the best ; there are other translation that are available ! this sloka may be known by another name, i cannot readily recall! Enjoy the bliss of Shiva! Aum Namaha Shivaya! advaitin, "Durga" <durgaji108> wrote: > > Namaskar Advaitins and Scholars of Vedanta, > > I have two questions for you. Recently > I was having a discussion with a friend of mine. > (We are both students of Advaita/Vedanta in the > tradition as taught by Swami Dayananda). I tried > to tell my friend about a beautiful bhajan, which I > believe was composed by Shankara. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 praNAms Hare Krishna durgA mAtAji : While the phrase Shivohum may not be one of the four Mahavakyas which my friend lists above, I am still of the opinion that its meaning is the same. bhaskar : not only four mahAvAkya-s, all the sentences in our sacred scripture implicitly aimed to convey the highest teaching of *tattvamasi*...shivOhaM, sOhaM etc. etc. conveying the same meaning that brahman is sat(existence)-chit (knowledge) -Ananda (bliss) rUpa. Hari Hari Hari Bol!!! bhaskar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 bhaskar.yr wrote: praNAms Hare Krishna durgA mAtAji : While the phrase Shivohum may not be one of the four Mahavakyas which my friend lists above, I am still of the opinion that its meaning is the same. bhaskar : not only four mahAvAkya-s, all the sentences in our sacred scripture implicitly aimed to convey the highest teaching of *tattvamasi*...shivOhaM, sOhaM etc. etc. conveying the same meaning that brahman is sat(existence)-chit (knowledge) -Ananda (bliss) rUpa. Hari Hari Hari Bol!!! bhaskar From Sankarraman Yes, Sivoham has the same significance and validity as the other Mahavakyas, especially, the, 'Tatvam Asi'. Infact, this mantra has a mystic significance in that this japa automatically goes on in one's system, except that one is not aware of it. In the process of breathing when there is the inward breathing there is the sound, "So", the outgoing breath taking the sound, "Ham". The watching of the breath with this japa leads to the awareness of ajapa whics is natural, being known as, "Ajapa Gayitri", in the terminologies of great yogies like Tirumular. More than the Vedantins, the yogis follow this mantra. Saint Ramalingar says that if you become consciously aware of this mantra, thoughts cease. Saint Thayumanavar says that the Mouna Guru initiated him into this path. The Buddhistic Vipasanna meditation advocates only this technique. The Tamil yogis and devotees of Lord Siva term this mantra as Vasi, the reverse of the word Siva. The awareness of Vasi, according to the yogis leads to liberation, through the stoppage of the prana in the first instance. The mere stoppage of the prana leading to Kevalakumbaka is not the aim of the yogis, as is assumed by some vedantins. The stoppage of prana is only a precursor to self-realization. This stoppage of prana, as a well-recognized technique to stop the fluctuations of the mind, as a preliminary to realize the Self, has been extensively expatiated upon in the famous text Yogavasishta. Sankarraman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 Tony OClery <aoclery wrote: advaitin, "Durga" <durgaji108> wrote: > > Namaskar Advaitins and Scholars of Vedanta, > > I > > I mentioned to my friend that Shivohum Shivohum > means the same things as Tat Tvam Asi, and she > said that it did not. > Namaste,Durga, Sivohum, Siva Sohum or Aham is the same thing as saying Aham Brahmasmi. I am God. However this admits to duality, as there are two persons there, you and God. Sir, I don't think that this mantra admits of duality. This is synonymous with with Tatvam Asi, except that the mantra Sivoham is rather mystic, involving a meditation on the Conscious Being, where there is no meditator, but only meditation. This mantra is very much relavant to the yogic path of Chitta Vritti Nirodha, rather than the Vedantic concept of Knowledge. This leads to Kaivalya, whereas Vedanta is only one of understanding as against deliberate meditation. Sankarraman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 >Sivohum, Siva Sohum or Aham is the same thing as saying Aham >Brahmasmi. I am God. >However this admits to duality, as there are two persons there, you >and God. If you look at shivoham, it says shiva is me, so I don't understand where is dualism? Even in Aham Brahmasmi we have two entities Aham Brahma Asmi,(Aham and Brahma) so is there is a dualism in this? No. The reason why there are two things, in these vakyas are, that is the way ordinary humans perceives the world as, and vedanta is their to unite everything into one thing.(I think even Search of Single theory to accommodate all the forces of nature will eventually end in advaita...) Tat Twam Asi... Thanks Prashanth.K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 >I tried > to tell my friend about a beautiful bhajan, which I > believe was composed by Shankara. > > The words of the refrain are: > Chidananda Rupa Shivohum Shivohum > OM TAT SAT Check out www.vedamantram.com. The Nirvanashatkam is sung beautifully and the mp3 file is free.Contribution is voluntary but for a good cause - a vedic school in India. OM TAT SAT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 Many thanks to all Advaitins for your kind replies. Interestingly enough, I also did some searching, and found that bhajan is called Nirvanashtakam. I found another translation of it: www.cse.iitb.ac.in/~siva/nirvana.pdf In this translation, `Shivoham' is translated as `I am Auspiciousness.' I printed out this version of the bhajan and showed it to my teacher, who told me that in this instance `Shivoham' does mean, `I am Auspiciousness,' and not `I am the Lord Shiva.' Addressing the point that the phrase `I am God' posits two I would say this. `I am God,' or `I am Brahman,' means that the Self that I am *is* the Self that Brahman is. There are not two Selves. There is only One. To have the student directly realize the truth of this statement, which truth is totally 100% experientially present at all times, but taken by the mind to be something else, (i.e. a product of the body/mind), is, in my understanding, the purpose of the whole teaching of Vedanta. So the statement 'I am Brahman' never in any way posits two (although it may initially sound as if it does). These three words, `I am Brahman,' or any of the Mahavakyas, in the hands of a qualified teacher, who knows how to unfold them properly, (knocking off all that which I had previously taken myself to be, and then pointing directly to that which I am) work as a pramana, a direct means of Knowledge, to 'show' the student, without the possibility of a shadow of a doubt remaining, that his/her own Self, *is* the Self of Brahman, of which there is only One, and which in no way is ever divided. This is what I understand to be true. Again, many thanks, Durga Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 "Sivam" means "Kalyanam"/"Mangalam"=all good things/auspicious.Lord Siva is one who bestows "Sivam" on his devotee.Siva(m)+Aham="Sivoham"-.So it can be interpreted "let me be one who things and does all good things to my fellow beings- well I think the Mahaavkyam "Aham Brahmaasmi" is to be interpreted on sri.Maharishi Ramana's Siddhaantha-I am stopping at this point-ssrvj Durga <durgaji108 wrote: Many thanks to all Advaitins for your kind replies. Interestingly enough, I also did some searching, and found that bhajan is called Nirvanashtakam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 List Moderator's Note: List wants to thank the members for their continued support to list policies and guidelines. Please do not include the previous posters' messages in the tail end (or in the beginning) of your message while sending your replies. Both the new members and other members do seem to continue to repeat doing this. The list appreciates your cooperation in keeping the message crisp and clear by removing all unnecessary parts of previous messages. (As it is done in this message!) 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 the Maanasic(Psychic) and Sariric(Somatic) traits mentioned in the above verse are originally found in the Chatur(4) Vihumsadhi(1/5 th of 100=20) tattvam(20+4=24) of Saankya Philosophy of sarvasri.Kapilamuni(Extinct) and Eswara Krishna-Vignaanana Bhikshu (Extant).Sri Sankara uses those concepts in his verses Panca vaayu means not 5 "airs"-but 5 vital "forcesPranopaana vyanodhana Samana--Sahpranaha"is a Vedha Mantaram-Acharya sri.sankara uses them asthey are.All the vital organs above the line connecting the eyebrows(cerebrum/ cerebellum/ medulla oblangataetc) are controlled by "Vyaana vayu" . the organs between the brow-and nipple line-is controlled by "praanavayu"--between umbilicus and nipple-line by Udhaana vayu andbelow umbilical-lne by Apaana vayu Regarding Saptha Dhatus and Panca Kosam we shall discuss inmy next post-ssrvj adi_shakthi16 <adi_shakthi16 wrote: Durga-ji! The beautiful bhajan you are refrring to is the Nirvana Shatakam composed by Jagadguru Adi Shankara Bhagvadapada. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 Hari OM! Dear all, Shivoham and the Great Mahavakyas cannot be the same meaning at any point of time, Shivoham is Sri Sankaracharya's own version realising, that I am that Shiva, Still Acharya is not saying in the Nirvana Shatkam, "Aham Brahmasmi" (I am Brahman) he is indicating that only. And as per my understanding, Shiva is one of the trinity, (Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva)even though utlimately, it is all the same Brahman, but Shiva is Saguna Brahman, And Shankaracharya is the Avtaar of Lord Shiva. Avtaar is "Fallen Down" from that Nirvikapla state. Brahman either having all the qualities or no qualities at all, Nirguna, Nirakara Brahmam! Para Brahmam! So Shivoham is the indication of "That Thou Art" but we cannot use it instead of the Mahavakyas. Please enlighten If my understanding seems to be misunderstanding. due to ignorance. The veil of Maya, and still not a Sanyasi! or Zenyasi! With Love & OM! Krishna Prasad On 12/20/05, Rajagopalan Somayaji <ssrvj wrote: > > "Sivam" means "Kalyanam"/"Mangalam"=all good things/auspicious.Lord Siva > is one who bestows "Sivam" on his devotee.Siva(m)+Aham="Sivoham"-.So it > can be interpreted "let me be one who things and does all good things to my > fellow beings- > > well I think the Mahaavkyam "Aham Brahmaasmi" is to be interpreted on > sri.Maharishi Ramana's Siddhaantha-I am stopping at this point-ssrvj > > Durga <durgaji108 wrote: > Many thanks to all Advaitins for your kind replies. > Interestingly enough, I also did some searching, > and found that bhajan is called Nirvanashtakam. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 advaitin, "Durga" <durgaji108> wrote: > > Namaskar Advaitins and Scholars of Vedanta, > > " Any sentence that points out the > identity of the self with Brahman is a mahavayka. > There are technically four: One from each Veda which > shows that they are saying the same thing. >From my understanding, Mahavakyas are NOT just 4 in number. Any sentence that brings about the Ishwara and Jiva identity is a Mahavakya. All Updanishads have Mahavakyas because all of them talk about Jiva and Ishwara identity. Correct me if I'am wrong. Thanks & Regards Partha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 advaitin, "Durga" <durgaji108> wrote: > > > So the statement 'I am Brahman' never in any > way posits two (although it may initially sound > as if it does). Namaste, It does posit two subjects, I and Brahman. I can't find the actual Maharshi quote but he indicated the same, "Q: Am I to keep on repeating 'Who am I?' so as to makes a mantra of it? A: No. 'Who am I?' is not a mantra. It means that you must find out where in you arises the 'I'-thought, which is the source of all other thoughts. Q: Shall I meditate on 'I am Brahman' [Aham Brahmasmi]? A: The text is not meant for thinking 'I am Brahman'. Aham ['I'] is known to every one. Find out the 'I'. The 'I' is already Brahman. You need not think so. Simply find out the 'I'."................ONS...Tony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 advaitin, "Tony OClery" <aoclery> wrote: > "...The 'I' is already Brahman..." > ONS...Tony. Yes, I is Brahman. Therefore not two subjects, only Brahman. (Two posts, that's it for today) Durga Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 advaitin, "Tony OClery" <aoclery> wrote: > > advaitin, "Durga" <durgaji108> wrote: > > > > > So the statement 'I am Brahman' never in any > > way posits two (although it may initially sound > > as if it does). > > Namaste, > > It does posit two subjects, I and Brahman. I can't find the actual > Maharshi quote but he indicated the same, Namaste, A study of this site (excerpted below will be helpful: Leaves from the Diary of T. K. Sundaresa Iyer http://www.ramana-maharshi.org/atfeet.htm (34) THE RIBHU GITA An anecdote about the translation by Bhikshu Sastri is worth relating. Deeply struck by pure Advaita of the teachings in this Gita, the translator held so steadfastly to that glorious doctrine that he denied the truth or reality of all phenomena, including the Gods themselvea; he said their existence is as true only as that of the barren woman's son, the hare's horn and the flowers seen in the sky. Teased too much by his atheism, the manifest Gods put the translator to the test, and he lost his eye sight; only when he wrote verses in praise of Lord Nataraja was his sight restored to him. To have this punishment for daring to defy the Form-aspect (saguna) of the Formless (nirguna) Divine excused, he had to write a verse in praise of Sri Nataraja at the end of each of the 44 chapters of the Ribhu-Gita. "He is freed while alive (jivanmukta) who, motionless like the Hill, is still and immaculate, the Self in Itself, absolute Existence experienced as Bliss. Rid of individuality, rid of all concepts, he who is still, as pure Light, immaculate, peaceful solid Bliss is free without a body (videhamukta). Knowing, feeling, thinking, praying, determining, mingling, abiding - all these must be in the Self Itself. Meditate incessantly on 'Aham brahmasmi' until it becomes permanent; later on, be freed from even this thought and be the Self Itself alone. ………………… "Let the Pure Existence of the Divine alone be realized; if the sun of this Knowledge arises, how can the darkness of ignorance prevail? The mind of him who is certain that the Divine is one and whole cannot be shaken by the Great Illusion (maya) even if the vast Mount Meru be shaken by tying it to a thread. Practice "That am I'' (soham); the experience 'I am Siva' (Sivoham) will make you into Siva. Therefore sing 'Sivoham, Sivoham, Sivoham!'' Regards, Sunder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 Dear Respected Durgaji, Hari Om. Namaskar. I have heard some discussion on Mahavakya topic in Vedanta Saara lectures. My study and reflection on this subject is incomplete so I really do not qualify to comment. However still venturing to give here this incomplete and error filled understanding just for my own reflection so when learned ones will comment on it I will learn from it. I think if 'Shiv' is considered as 'Brahman' then it will be Mahavakya but if it is taken as 'Auspiciousness' then it can't be called as Mahavakya. For something to be Mahavakya the two words (e.g. "Tat" and "Tvam") must share same substratum. Their vachyartha(verbal meaning) has to have 'qualifier-qualified relationship' like they are adjectives of each others and their lakshyartha(indicated meaning) has to have 'indicator and indicated relationship' (that means when the differences in their limiting adjuncts are dropped the essence that remains should be same.) The example that is given to explain this is - say there is a guy called Devadutta that I saw 20 years ago as a child in India and if I see him now in US as a mature man and say "This is THAT Devadatta"("Soyam Devadattah"). Mahavakya is like that. The individual and the cosmic, Avidya and Maya, Jiva and Ishwara, Atman and Brahman are the aspects which correspond themselves to the meaning of the terms "Twam" and "Tat" or "Thou" and "That". Just like "This" and "That" refer to same "Devadutta" like that substratum of "Tat" and "Tvam" is same. The individual and the cosmic persons respectively limited by Avidya and Maya, namely, the Jiva and the Ishwara, are two personalities differentiated by space and time. When the verbal meaning or the Vachyartha of the Mahavakya is taken, the Jiva is asserted to be Ishwara himself in the Pindanda. The Vishwa, Taijasa and Prajna of the microcosm or the Pindanda correspond closely to the Virat, Hiranyagarbha and Ishwara of the macrocosm or the Brahmanda. Thus the Jiva is an exact copy of or is identical with Ishwara. When the Lakshyartha or the indicative meaning of the sentence is brought out in the example "Soyam Devadattah" or "This is that Devadatta." the limitations are cast off and the essence only is taken. Atman limited by Avidya is Jiva and Brahman limited by Maya is Ishwara. When the Avidya of Jiva is cast off and the Maya of Ishwara is ignored, what remains is Atman instead of Jiva and Brahman instead of Ishwara. Just as the Devadatta of India was the same as the Devadatta of US, the Reality of Ishwara and the Reality of the Jiva are one and the same. Hence Atman is identical with Brahman. "Thou" stands for the Atman and "That" for Brahman, and the word "art" or "Asi" signifies the identity of the two as the One Akhanda-Ekarasa-Satchidananda-Ghana. In order to analyse 'Shivoham' we need to know from your Teacher what is 'Shiv', what is its 'wachyartha' and what is its 'lakshyartha'. On face value 'Auspiciousness' seems like a characteristic of 'I' rather than 'I' itself. Also it is ruling out all other characteristics of Brahman e.g. Bliss-Consciousness-Truth etc. Wherease when we say "Aham Brahmasmi" or "Tat Tvam Asi" this doesn't happen. There are lot of loose ends in my current understanding. I request learned list members to please write your valuable comments so I will learn from it and will be able to better reflect. Love and Respect Padma advaitin, "Durga" <durgaji108> wrote: states the refrain above. > > I mentioned to my friend that Shivohum Shivohum > means the same things as Tat Tvam Asi, and she > said that it did not. > Many thanks and pranams, > Durga > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2005 Report Share Posted December 21, 2005 Sunder Hattangadi <sunderh wrote: --- In advaitin, "Tony OClery" <aoclery> wrote: > > advaitin, "Durga" <durgaji108> wrote: > > > > (34) THE RIBHU GITA An anecdote about the translation by Bhikshu Sastri is worth relating. Deeply struck by pure Advaita of the teachings in this Gita, the translator held so steadfastly to that glorious doctrine that he denied the truth or reality of all phenomena, including the Gods themselvea; he said their existence is as true only as that of the barren woman's son, the hare's horn and the flowers seen in the sky. Teased too much by his atheism, the manifest Gods put the translator to the test, and he lost his eye sight; only when he wrote verses in praise of Lord Nataraja was his sight restored to him. To have this punishment for daring to defy the Form-aspect (saguna) of the Formless (nirguna) Divine excused, he had to write a verse in praise of Sri Nataraja at the end of each of the 44 chapters of the Ribhu-Gita. From Sankarraman The Ribu gita is unmincing in denying the trinity of jiva, iswara and jagat, and is continuously decrying any concept of duality, the gods and guru included. There is a verse to the effect that one should abandon even the matchless guru and abide only in the Brahman, anything short of it pushing man into samsara. In line with the existing tradition, the Ulaganatha Swamigal alias Bitchu Sastry, wrote the last verse in adoration of the Lord, which is only to respect the tradition. Ribugita is an uncompromising advaitic text similar to some agama texts like Devikalotra which identifies the supreme with emptiness. This treatise has been paraphrised by Bhaghavan Ramana. Bhaghavan Ramana very much advocated the study of this book unceasingly which itself would lead a sincere seeker to samadhi as per the words of Bhaghavan. Bhaghavan has stressed the importance of chapter 26 of this treatise. For the benefit of non-Tamils, a beautiful English translation has been made by one Ramamurthy. There are two texts on the Ribu gita, the original, the Sanskrit Text, which has been translated by Ulaganatha Swamigal into Tamil. The Tamil version is more powerful than the Sanskrit version, since it is not merely an intellectual exposition, but the outcome of direct realization of the great Swamy. There is a chapter on the Mahavakyas which takes one into a direct intuitive apperception of the truth of the Mahavakya as against the laborious grammatical exercise made in the Sanskrit commentaries which are painful to read for people not gifted with a discursive way of thinking. Since there is a lot of discussion on the Mahavakyas, may the members of this group go through this text, especially the original since the English text, eventhough doing intellectual justice to the original, is sadly bereft of intuition. Sankarraman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2005 Report Share Posted December 21, 2005 advaitin, "Durga" <durgaji108> wrote: > > advaitin, "Tony OClery" <aoclery> wrote: > > > > "...The 'I' is already Brahman..." > > ONS...Tony. > > Yes, I is Brahman. Therefore not two subjects, > only Brahman. > > (Two posts, that's it for today) > > Durga Namaste D, Yes this is true as Ramana says, but to the human mind a subject and an object or two subjects is duality to a certain extent. This is why Ramana suggests 'Koham' for it eliminates the subject and the object or the subject and the subject and goes right to the experiential source away from the interpretations and vagaries of the human mind...ONS...Tony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2005 Report Share Posted December 21, 2005 advaitin, "pjoshi99" <pjoshi99> wrote: > I think if 'Shiv' is considered as 'Brahman' then it will be > Mahavakya but if it is taken as 'Auspiciousness' then it can't be > called as Mahavakya. snip > Atman limited by Avidya is Jiva and Brahman limited by Maya > is Ishwara. snip > In order to analyse 'Shivoham' we need to know from your Teacher > what is 'Shiv', what is its 'wachyartha' and what is > its 'lakshyartha'. On face value 'Auspiciousness' seems like a > characteristic of 'I' rather than 'I' itself. snip > There are lot of loose ends in my current understanding. > I request learned list members to please write your valuable > comments so I will learn from it and will be able to better reflect. > > Love and Respect > Padma > Namaskar Sri Padmaji, You have hit upon the very question which I myself had in thinking about all of this. If 'Shivoham' in Shankara's bhajan, Nirvanashtakam, means "I am Auspiciousness" and not "I am Shiva," then would Shivoham be a Mahavakya? I think that you are correct, and it would not be. I will ask, and see if my teacher has the time to explain this point to me in the next few days, and if I am able to understand the reply, write it down here. I don't see any loose ends at all in your clear understanding, although I have been taught that Brahman plus (not limited by) the Maya Upadhi is called Ishwara. The distinction between the meaning of those words may not be all that important, (I don't know). I am sure that the words `plus' or `limited by,' when properly understood are not meant to indicate that Brahman is either added to, diminished, transformed or changed in any way. And I do not mean to imply that I do properly understand them. I am very much a beginner in the study of Vedanta, and I'm sure there are many gaps and mistakes in my understanding. Hari Om, Durga Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2005 Report Share Posted December 21, 2005 Avatharam does not mean "Falling down"-which is an involuntary actionThe correct Sanskrit word for "Falling down "is "Pathitham".Aatharam means climbing up.Avatharam means voluntarily climbing down from Nirguna Brahmam to Saguna Brahmam-ssrvj Krishna Prasad <rkrishp99 wrote: Hari OM! Dear all, Shivoham and the Great Mahavakyas cannot be the same meaning at any point of time, Shivoham is Sri Sankaracharya's own version realising, that I am that Shiva, Still Acharya is not saying in the Nirvana Shatkam, "Aham Brahmasmi" (I am Brahman) he is indicating that only. And as per my understanding, Shiva is one of the trinity, (Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva)even though utlimately, it is all the same Brahman, but Shiva is Saguna Brahman, And Shankaracharya is the Avtaar of Lord Shiva. Avtaar is "Fallen Down" from that Nirvikapla state. Brahman either having all the qualities or no qualities at all, Nirguna, Nirakara Brahmam! Para Brahmam! So Shivoham is the indication of "That Thou Art" but we cannot use it instead of the Mahavakyas. Please enlighten If my understanding seems to be misunderstanding. due to ignorance. The veil of Maya, and still not a Sanyasi! or Zenyasi! With Love & OM! Krishna Prasad On 12/20/05, Rajagopalan Somayaji <ssrvj wrote: > > "Sivam" means "Kalyanam"/"Mangalam"=all good things/auspicious.Lord Siva > is one who bestows "Sivam" on his devotee.Siva(m)+Aham="Sivoham"-.So it > can be interpreted "let me be one who things and does all good things to my > fellow beings- > > well I think the Mahaavkyam "Aham Brahmaasmi" is to be interpreted on > sri.Maharishi Ramana's Siddhaantha-I am stopping at this point-ssrvj > > Durga <durgaji108 wrote: > Many thanks to all Advaitins for your kind replies. > Interestingly enough, I also did some searching, > and found that bhajan is called Nirvanashtakam. > Discussion of Shankara's Advaita Vedanta Philosophy of nonseparablity of Atman and Brahman. Advaitin List Archives available at: http://www.eScribe.com/culture/advaitin/ To Post a message send an email to : advaitin Messages Archived at: advaitin/messages Religion and spirituality Advaita Bhagavad gita Visit your group "advaitin" on the web. advaitin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 namaskar santo, i have been eagerly looking out for athma shatakam by adi sankaracharya and sung by pt. jasraj without success. if any of you know where i can locate it, please let me know. i will be very grateful to you. please keep me posted on anuptamang@hotmail.com om shanti anup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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