In his inspired composition, Nirvana Shatkam, Adi Shankaracharya’s revelations of his own experience of the truth become guidelines for meditation for a seeker. Nirvana Shatkam means a set of six verses on the state of absolute peace, freedom and joy. One familiar with Sanskrit can easily grasp their meaning. But, to experience and revel in the truth revealed therein, one has to go through endless aeons of sincere study and devoted self-application. Finally, in one particular life, one attains the highest state of perfection — self-realisation.
These verses become fruitful and effective only when the spiritual aspirant has done proper enquiry and has been adhering to dharma. Dharma palana disciplines the seeker, guides him to the path of virtue, and takes his mind to right thinking and right action. Thus adherence to one’s duties is necessary for gaining purity of mind — a prerequisite for deep meditation.
The scriptures prescribe three spiritual practices — sravana (listening), manana (reflection) and nididdhyasana (meditation).
A doubt may arise in the student’s mind whether the theme of all the Upanishads in all the Vedas is identical, whether all of them reveal one and the same truth. It is only by listening to the master that the seeker ascertains and understands that all Upanishads only speak of the identity between the individual and the truth.
Once the above determination has taken place, the student may find that his present experience contradicts his clear understanding. Living as the body and mind, he fails to see that he is that infinite consciousness. This is because we have more faith in our own experiences than in the scriptures. When our limited experiences contradict the knowledge gained through the scriptures, a doubt arises regarding the truth. The technique of reflection should be based on study of the scriptural texts, under the guru’s guidance.
At the meditation stage, the seeker experiences an obstruction: even though he has no doubt whatsoever, he still feels a strange sense of incompleteness. Now, the seeker has to constantly maintain the thought, “truth alone I am.” Contemplating about it in solitude is nididdhyasana.
The verses of Nirvana Shatkam are deep, subtle and beautiful. To unravel their mystery, we must make a sincere effort to contemplate, stay focused and not lose sight of the ultimate goal.
