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നിർവാണഷഡകം
The story of Adi Shankaracharya and Nirvana Shadakam mantra
(Excerpts from mahakatha.com)
In this Stotra, written in his supreme state of realization,
Adi Shankara explains the state of wisdom and truth.
One of the stories on the Nirvana Shadakam is this:
When Adi Shankara was in Kashi, he used to have his daily
bath in the Ganga.
One day, on his way to the Ganga, his way was blocked by a Chandala (belonging to the lower dharma)
whose job was to burn the dead bodies.
Adi Shankara immediately asked him to give way for him.
The man, instead of moving away, asked Adi Shankara `who are
you?’
Adi Shankara knew that no ordinary man would ask him this question and he realized that
the man in front of him was the Lord Kasinath
Shiva Himself.
Searching for an answer to the question `who are you?’ Adi
Shankara went into a deep state of meditation.
And being in the state of highest consciousness, he identified himself with the ultimate truth of life –
Shivo’ham.
Shivo’ham means `I am Shiva’.
He wrote down his answers then and there and read it out.
Adi Shankara mostly answered the question “who are you” by
saying what/who he is not, instead of just saying who he is!
Adi Shankara was no ordinary soul, as he attained the state
of `Shivo’ham’ at a very young age.
What lies between realities and false identification is the
truth. The truth, the ultimate truth, is Shiva.
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