“Chidananda Rupam, Shivoham, Shivoham” in Nirvana shatakam by Adi Sankara

[Guest guest]

In Nirvanashatakam, Adi Shankaracharya says "Chidananda Rupam,

Shivoham, Shivoham." Why is there no reference to Sat? In other

words, why did he not say "Satchidananda Rupam, Shivoham, Shivoham."?

Is Chidananda Rupam a reference with respect to Prakrithi

(conditioned reality) and not Brahman (unconditional reality)? While

Sat is often referred to as an aspect of Transcendent Reality in

Sastras, is Sat also not Immanent? If Sat is immanent, is it not an

aspect of Prakrithi as Chit and Ananda are? Are we to presume that

Chit and Ananda are to be cognized in the Vyavakarika Pramana,

whereas Sat is "I am" (Aham asmi), a realization that occurs to us,

without any volition on our part in the Paramarthika mode of Reality?

 

Swami Tatvavidananda Sarawathi (Swami TVS), a disciple of Swami

Dayananda Saraswathi in his meditation talks often says "I am"

instead of "I am Brahman". I assume the Swamiji implies that the

human mind tends to think in conditioned mode: "I am Brahman some

times, some where and because of"...etc. In other words, even the

thought that "I am Brahman" instead of liberating us and transporting

us to the realm of Infinitude confines us to the limitations of the

mind because mind can operate only within the boundaries of time,

space and the law of causality. Whereas, "I am" awareness enables

one to escape the above limitations. Therefore one would assume that

Sat is an aspect of prakrithi (clayness that pervades in the pot) as

well as Brahman (clay). Avidya ceases with the realization of Oneness

pervading all. Avidya does persist in the Prakrithi phase.

When I read the meaning of Nirvana shatakam in its entirety, it seems

that Adi Sankara is referring to the transcendent Reality, Brahman

and not to Prakrithi. Why then is the absence of reference to Sat in

Sivoham?

 

Kindly enlighten. Thank you. Regards.

[Guest guest]

advaitin, "jannagraj" <jannagraj wrote:

>

> In Nirvanashatakam, Adi Shankaracharya says "Chidananda Rupam,

> Shivoham, Shivoham." Why is there no reference to Sat? In other

> words, why did he not say "Satchidananda Rupam, Shivoham,

Shivoham."?

 

ShrIgurubhyo namaH

 

Dear Sir,

 

Namaste. Please listen to the Mundaka Upanishad Bhashya talk by Sw.

Paramarthananda ji delivered on 5th Jan 2007. In this latest talk

on the mantra II.ii.2,3, you will get an explanation for your above

query. In the first twenty minutes of the talk you will hear this.

http://www.vedantavidyarthisangha.org

 

You may also go thru a recent post of mine on this List quoting the

Seventh verse of the Advaita Makaranda. (na hi bhAnAt Rte

sattvam....meaning: Existence is known only through

Consciousness...) [i am unable to search the post]. That post too

deals with the topical questions that you have raised.

 

Warm regards,

subbu

Om Tat Sat

[Guest guest]

advaitin, "subrahmanian_v"

<subrahmanian_v wrote:

>

> advaitin, "jannagraj" <jannagraj@> wrote:

>

>>

> You may also go thru a recent post of mine on this List quoting

the

> Seventh verse of the Advaita Makaranda. (na hi bhAnAt Rte

> sattvam....meaning: Existence is known only through

> Consciousness...) [i am unable to search the post]. That post too

> deals with the topical questions that you have raised.

>

 

The ref. is to :

 

34249

 

Re: Sridakshinamurtistotram (Part IX i)

.... appreciated only with the awareness of the latter. This has been

brought out in the 10th verse of the Advaita Makaranda: Na hi bhAnat-

Rte sattvam na-Rte BhAnam chito'chitaH chit-sambhandho'pi na

adhyAsAt- Rte tena aham advayaH [being is not bereft of ...

 

subrahmanian_v (AT) (DOT) ... Dec 22, 2006 1:51 am