Nirvana - A State of Mind

 




Niravanashatakam or Atma Shatakam

When I was introduced to Nirvana Shatakam a few years ago, my connection to the composition was solely due to the confluence of the majesticity of Raag Darbari & its powerful rendition by Pt. Jasraj. Panditji’s voice is a classic example of how power can be reined in and projected when necessary to make a performance robust.

Most Hindustani classical pieces are devoid of lyrics, unlike their Carnatic counterpart. In that regard, when he introduces this composition before the performance by stating – Adi Shankaracharya dwara rachit – shabdon ka poora mazaa.. it speaks piquantly to the listener.

The lifecycle of any musical composition begins with listening, learning, singing, understanding, and organically allowing it to become your own. Almost like settling into a comfortable breathing pattern. One can never tell when the transition from admiring it from a window to personalizing it, occurs.

Chasing the elusive notes without the support of lyrics is challenging for any student. In that perpetual sense, when you are presented with a composition that supports lyrically and is rich with powerful notes – It is like hitting a jackpot.

A few years roll by – the curiosity to understand develops. Adi Shankaracharya, the prodigal seer, is credited with compositions that scratch and stretch your gray cells. So did the Nirvana Shatakam or Atma Shatakam, a  shloka that defies all religious parallels. Shatakam is a verse of 6. Nirvana is mukti, salvation, or the act of transgressing the binary mind. 

I will not go into the transliteration of the Shloka as plenty of literary references are readily available to peruse.  My understanding of this Shloka has a metaphorical significance to a state of mind – Shiva.  

We hold on – We hold on to what anchors us. There is comfort in being anchored. All  patterns around our lives/lifestyle are framed based on this anchor and/or a bouquet of anchors we hold onto so stringently until they start defining us. We then proclaim proudly who we are by what defines us.

Are we closing ourselves to experiences? What is a state of Nirvana or being one with the universe? This is the ask or the seek of many on their spiritual caravan. To make your mind malleable to allow experiences, to savor the learning, weaving them into a warm fabric that wraps you in comfort is probably what I read from this shloka, especially Adi Shankaracharya’s final verse about being devoid of duality & free from captivity. 

A state of Nirvana – Chidananda

Aham Nirvikalpo Nirakara Roopa

Vibhutvcha Sarvatra Sarva Indriyanam

Sada me Samatvam Na Muktir Na Banda

Chidanda Roopa Shivoham Shivoham

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