bhaja-govindamshankaracharyaself-inquirywho-am-i

Kastvam Koham Kuta Ayatah

कस्त्वं कोऽहं कुत आयातः

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 During meditation and quiet self-reflection, especially early morning·📜 Bhaja Govindam (Moha Mudgara), verse on self-inquiry

Also known as: kastvam koham kuta ayatah · koham · ka me janani ko me tatah · vishvam tyaktva svapnavicharam · bhaja govindam kastvam koham

📜 Complete Lyrics 📖 Word-by-Word Meaning ✨ Benefits & How to Chant ⬇️ PDF Download

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ English සිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

This profound verse of Bhaja Govindam is one of the clearest statements of self-inquiry (atma-vichara) in Sanskrit literature. With the questions 'Who am I? Whence have I come? Who are my mother and father?', Adi Shankaracharya turns the seeker's gaze away from outer identities toward the true Self. Seeing the whole world as essenceless and dreamlike, the verse counsels letting go of false attachment and abiding in what alone is real.

Origin & Story

Bhaja Govindam (Moha Mudgara), verse on self-inquiry · Adi Shankaracharya · 8th century CE (circa 788-820)

This verse forms part of Adi Shankaracharya's Bhaja Govindam, the hymn sung in Varanasi to awaken the soul from worldly illusion. Having repeatedly shown the impermanence of all that we cling to, Shankaracharya here gives the seeker the direct practice of Advaita Vedanta — to inquire 'Who am I?' and 'Whence have I come?' — and to see the whole world as a passing dream, releasing it in favour of the eternal Self.

✦ As told in scripture

The question 'Koham' (Who am I?) raised in this verse is the same self-inquiry that great sages have used across the ages to attain Self-realization. It is said that one who sincerely pursues this question to its end finds the ego dissolved and the true Self shining of its own accord.

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The Mantra

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कस्त्वं कोऽहं कुत आयातः का मे जननी को मे तातः । इति परिभावय सर्वमसारं विश्वं त्यक्त्वा स्वप्नविचारम् ॥

Kastvam koham kuta ayatah ka me janani ko me tatah Iti paribhavaya sarvamasaram vishvam tyaktva svapnavicharam

Meaning:Who are you? Who am I? From where have I come? Who is my mother, who my father? Thus reflect deeply, and seeing this whole world as essenceless, like a dream, give it up.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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कस्त्वं🔊KastvamWho are you?

कोऽहं🔊KohamWho am I?

कुत आयातः🔊Kuta ayatahFrom where have I come?

का मे जननी🔊Ka me jananiWho is my mother?

को मे तातः🔊Ko me tatahWho is my father?

इति🔊ItiThus, in this way

परिभावय🔊ParibhavayaReflect deeply, contemplate fully

सर्वम् असारं🔊Sarvam asaramAll (this is) essenceless, without substance

विश्वं🔊VishvamThe world, the universe

त्यक्त्वा🔊TyaktvaHaving given up, abandoning

स्वप्नविचारम्🔊Svapna-vicharam(Seeing it as) a dream-like phenomenon / dream-thought

Benefits of Chanting Kastvam Koham Kuta Ayatah

✦

Offers a direct method of self-inquiry — 'Who am I? Whence have I come?'

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Dissolves false identification with parents, body, and worldly roles

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Reveals the dreamlike, essenceless nature of the world (vishvam asaram)

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Turns the mind inward toward the true Self (Atman)

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A cornerstone teaching of Advaita Vedanta in two lines

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Cultivates detachment and clarity of discrimination (viveka)

How to Chant Kastvam Koham Kuta Ayatah

Repetitions11times

Best TimeDuring meditation and quiet self-reflection, especially early morning

Use this verse as a guide for self-inquiry. Recite it, then sit with the question 'Koham?' (Who am I?), letting it draw your attention inward beyond name, body, and relationships. Do not rush to a verbal answer; let the inquiry deepen into silent awareness. Contemplating the world as 'svapna' (a dream) helps loosen attachment as you meditate.

Frequently Asked Questions

It means 'Who are you? Who am I? From where have I come?' Adi Shankaracharya poses these questions to spur deep self-inquiry, asking us to look beyond our outer identities — including mother and father — to discover our true nature.

The central question 'Koham?' (Who am I?) is the heart of atma-vichara. By repeatedly turning the mind to this question and setting aside identification with the body and relationships, the seeker is led toward direct experience of the Self.

Shankaracharya describes the world as 'asaram' (essenceless) and like a dream because, in Advaita Vedanta, the changing world has no independent permanent reality. Recognizing this frees one to give up vain attachment and seek the unchanging Self.

It is from Bhaja Govindam (Moha Mudgara) by Adi Shankaracharya, composed in the 8th century CE. It is among the hymn's most profound verses on self-knowledge.