The Atmashatkam (आत्मषट्कम्, ātmaṣatkam), also known as Nirvanashatkam (निर्वाणषट्कम्, Nirvāṇaṣatkam),[1] is a non-dualistic (advaita) composition consisting of 6 verses or ślokas, attributed to the Hindu exegete Adi Shankara summarizing the basic teachings of Advaita Vedanta, or the Hindu teachings of non-dualism.
"[2] It is said that when Ādi Śaṅkara was a young boy of eight and wandering near River Narmada, seeking to find his guru, he encountered the seer Govinda Bhagavatpada who asked him, "Who are you?"
The boy answered with these stanzas, and Swami Govindapada accepted Ādi Śaṅkara as his disciple.
I have no hatred or dislike, nor affiliation or liking, nor greed, nor delusion, nor pride or haughtiness, nor feelings of envy or jealousy.
I have no duty (dharma), nor any purpose (artha), nor any desire (kāma), nor even liberation (mokṣa).
I do not need mantras, holy places, scriptures (Vedas), rituals or sacrifices (yajñas).