Antar Jyotir Bahir Jyotih (Shivoham)
अन्तर्ज्योतिर्बहिर्ज्योतिः (शिवोऽहम्)
Also known as: antar jyotir bahir jyotih · antarjyotir bahirjyotih · shivo smy aham · shivoham shivoham · atma jyotih shivoham
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✦ Meaning
This radiant Advaitic verse is a meditation on the Self as pure, self-luminous Light, culminating in the great affirmation 'Shivo'smy aham' — 'I am Shiva.' Sweeping through every dimension — the light within, the light without, the inmost light, the supreme beyond all — it declares that the one self-effulgent Consciousness illumining all things is one's own true Self. It is a powerful contemplation on the identity of the individual Self with the absolute Reality.
Origin & Story
Advaita Vedanta tradition (a self-luminous Self / Shivoham meditation verse) · Traditional (Advaita Vedanta) · Ancient / classical
This verse belongs to the rich tradition of Advaitic affirmations that meditate on the Self as self-luminous light and culminate in 'Shivo'ham' — 'I am Shiva.' Such verses are used by seekers to fix the mind upon the witnessing Consciousness that illumines all inner and outer experience, recognizing it as one's own true nature, identical with the supreme Reality.
✦ As told in scripture
The Upanishads declare that in the realm of the Self, the sun does not shine, nor the moon and stars, nor fire — for everything shines only after that self-luminous Light. The one who realizes 'I am that Light' is said to cross beyond all darkness of ignorance and fear.
The Mantra
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अन्तर्ज्योतिर्बहिर्ज्योतिः प्रत्यग्ज्योतिः परात्परः। ज्योतिर्ज्योतिः स्वयंज्योतिरात्मज्योतिः शिवोऽस्म्यहम्॥
antar-jyotir bahir-jyotiḥ pratyag-jyotiḥ parāt-paraḥ | jyotir-jyotiḥ svayaṃ-jyotir ātma-jyotiḥ śivo'smy aham ||
Meaning:The light within and the light without, the inmost indwelling light, higher than the highest; the light of all lights, self-luminous, the radiant light of the Self — that auspicious Shiva, I am.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Antar Jyotir Bahir Jyotih (Shivoham)
A direct affirmation of the Self as self-luminous Consciousness ('I am Shiva')
Excellent for meditation on inner light (jyoti) and the witnessing awareness
Dissolves the sense of limitation and separateness through identification with the Absolute
Brings deep peace, fearlessness and inner illumination
Cultivates the non-dual recognition that the one Light shines as everything
A potent contemplative verse (mahavakya-style affirmation) for the path of knowledge
How to Chant Antar Jyotir Bahir Jyotih (Shivoham)
Sit in a calm posture and recite the verse, then dwell on the affirmation 'Shivo'smy aham' — I am that self-luminous Light. With each repetition, gently turn attention from outer objects toward the awareness that illumines all experience, and rest in it. As an affirmation of identity with the Self, it is best chanted slowly and meditatively; 11, 21 or 108 repetitions deepen the contemplation.