WHO ARE WE

By Jyoti Saraf

Today I began my day by listening to the most powerful chant I have ever heard or lived. It is called NIRVANA SHATAKAM and it is composed by none other than the greatest ADI SHANKARACHARYA. It is his way of reminding us each time, who we genuinely are and who we must not be. It is the collection of six priceless verses. NIRVANA SHATAKAM means the state of peace and happiness achieved after giving up all the personal desires. It reminds us that how we only identify with our body, mind and senses which are the root causes of all the sins and sorrows. We forget that our true selves only relate with the IMMORTAL SHIVA. At the end of each verse he insists that “ we all are supreme auspiciousness of the nature of consciousness bliss. “

When Adi Shankaracharya was asked by his GURU to speak about his identity, then he answered that neither he was the mind nor the intellect neither he was the vital organs nor the breath, neither he was lustful, greedy or egoistical nor had he any attachments, neither he was the joy or the sorrow nor had he any desires, neither he could die nor was he bound to any relationships, neither he had any form nor he lived in any body. He was just a pure and divine soul, THE SHIVA!!

I became numb and did not react to what I had just heard. After sometime, when my mind started working, I asked myself a question that do we all identify with this Aatma Shatakam. Do we even understand the true essence of this or in the process of being worldly have we forgotten to be HUMAN!!

It is very difficult to understand and follow this utterly beautiful path of SELF ENLIGHTENMENT but we all must give it a try. It gave me goosebumps when I listened to it repeatedly. We humans are so obsessed with our physical presence that in this process we tend to disconnect from the SUPREME. We overlook the fact that our bodies are designed in such a way that we do not need to depend on outer or artificial light to make us happy, to make us attractive and to make us glow. This glow can last forever if we talk to our inner selves to find the answers because the Supreme resides inside us.

We need to focus on our personal growth which surely cannot be materialistic. We need to know that each physical body is THE AATMA, whose goal is to reach its final destination that is THE PARAMAATMA. The paramaatma may not have any definite form or shape. It may only be the GUIDING LIGHT which would reflect to us , our true nature, real character and would lead us to a zone where there is ultimate peace, selflessness and complete divinity.

The only process which needs to be followed is to believe and practice the act of TOTAL SURRENDER. It could be pretty difficult in the beginning but with diligence and trust it could surely be achieved.

We HUMANS, being the best gift of nature ought to make a conscious effort in this much needed direction. I am sure, if unitedly, we take an oath, to know our real selves and true values, then we would surely defeat all our sins and negativity which is destroying our pure and blissful nature.

We must not forget that when the world came into existence, there were no boundaries. Nature's bounty was equally available to all. There were no jealousies , no greed, no victories and no losses. We all co existed and lived in a harmonious way.

Definitely, we cannot live in that era, we need to progress and evolve but at the same time we must stay connected to our roots. How much ever, we try to reach the sky, we must stay humble, then only that success would be worth it. We cannot prosper with the huge sum of money that we earn, we are rich only when our souls are fed with the wealth of purity, sincerity and devotion.

I am not trying to impose my views on anyone. One does not need to go out in the Big World outside to gain this wisdom. One can begin with taking baby steps in the comfort of one’s home, family and locality.

One good deed by us make us move one step closer to our Inner Divine Self. Instead of waiting for someone else to take the first step, why not we become that change. The gain would be global and universal.

By recalling from time to time, as to who we are, THE ULTIMATE SHIVA, we would be able to cure, grow, glow, heal and manifest.

Together we would chant someday soon… … .. .

“ Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham”

By Jyoti Saraf