Aksharamanamalai - Verse 1

Paraphrase: Arunachala! You will tear out by the roots the egos of those devotees who consider themselves to be not different from yourself, thinking in their minds ‘I am Arunachala.’

Nirvana Shatakam

Verse 1

In the first verse is the negation of the subtle body and the subtle elements which form the subtle body.

mano-buddhyahaṅkāra-cittāni nāhaṁ

na ca śrotra-jihve na ca ghrāṇa-netre,

na ca vyoma-bhūmirna tejo na vāyuḥ

cidānanda-rūpaḥ śivo’haṁ śivo’ham. (1)

I am not the mind, intellect, ego or memory (the four aspects of what is known as antaḥkaraṇa). Nor am I (the five organs of perception) the ear, tongue, nose, eyes, (or skin), nor (the five elements) the space, earth, fire, air and water. 

I am pure Knowledge and Bliss, I am Śiva, auspiciousness itself.

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Our inner instrument (antaḥkaraṇa) comprises of four aspects each having its own function. The mind that thinks or imagines, the intellect that discriminates and decides, the ego that calls itself the self, the doer and enjoyer, and the memory that recollects past experiences. 

The five senses are the ability to hear, feel, see, taste and smell. 

The sāttvika aspects of the five elements (space, air, fire, water and earth) in their subtle form are called the tanmātrās. They are the material cause that constitute the subtle body. 

The subtle body (sūkṣma śarīra) along with its constituent elements is here negated as not being the true Self. 

Obviously the true Self (ātmā) being the illuminator, or the enlivener of everything else including the subtle body, cannot be those illumined objects. Then, what is the true Self, the real I? 

The affirmation comes from Bhagavān Śaṅkara, 

‘I am of the nature of pure Consciousness and Bliss Supreme – the one Reality behind everything – I am Śiva, the auspicious.’ 

When we constantly and sincerely start practising meditation, chanting the verses and reflecting on them in this way, the mind slowly acquires a certain calmness, purity and clarity and becomes capable of abiding in the Truth.

Nisargadatta Gita

 1. 1. The ‘I am’ came first; it is ever present, ever available. Refuse all thoughts except ‘I am’. Stay there.

This ‘I am’ is still there with you, ever present, ever available. It was and still is the first thought. Refuse all other thoughts and come back there and stay there. 

So try to understand and grasp this ‘beingness’ or ‘I amness’ that is inherent in you. 

The more precisely and clearly you do it the more rapid will be your progress.