Antar Jyotir Bahir Jyotih (Shivoham) — Word-by-Word Meaning
अन्तर्ज्योतिर्बहिर्ज्योतिः (शिवोऽहम्)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
अन्तः-ज्योतिः
antaḥ-jyotiḥ
the inner light, the light within
बहिः-ज्योतिः
bahiḥ-jyotiḥ
the outer light, the light without
प्रत्यक्-ज्योतिः
pratyak-jyotiḥ
the indwelling light, the inmost light of the Self turned inward
परात्-परः
parāt-paraḥ
higher than the highest, beyond the beyond
ज्योतिः-ज्योतिः
jyotiḥ-jyotiḥ
the light of all lights (that which illumines even light)
स्वयम्-ज्योतिः
svayaṃ-jyotiḥ
self-luminous, self-effulgent (shining by its own light)
आत्म-ज्योतिः
ātma-jyotiḥ
the light of the Self, the radiance of pure Consciousness
शिवः
śivaḥ
Shiva, the auspicious one, the ever-pure absolute Reality
अस्मि अहम्
asmi aham
I am (I am that)
Complete Translation
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.
Origin & History
Source: Advaita Vedanta tradition (a self-luminous Self / Shivoham meditation verse)
Author: Traditional (Advaita Vedanta)
Period: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this verse mean by 'light'?▼
Here 'jyoti' (light) refers not to physical light but to Consciousness — the self-luminous awareness by which everything else is known. The verse calls the Self the 'light of all lights' because even the sun, fire and the mind are revealed only in the light of awareness.
What does 'Shivo'smy aham' mean?▼
It means 'I am Shiva' — Shiva understood here not as a personal deity alone but as the auspicious, ever-pure, absolute Reality (Brahman). It is an affirmation of the Advaitic truth that one's own innermost Self is identical with the supreme Reality.
How is this verse used in practice?▼
It is used as a meditative affirmation in self-inquiry and Advaita practice. The seeker recites it and rests as the self-luminous awareness it describes, letting the recognition 'I am that Light' steady and purify the mind.
Is this related to the Nirvana Shatkam?▼
It shares the same spirit and the famous 'Shivo'ham' refrain found in Adi Shankaracharya's Nirvana Shatkam ('chidananda rupah shivo'ham shivo'ham'). Both affirm that the true Self, beyond body and mind, is the blissful, self-luminous absolute Reality.
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