Bhartṛharī's Nītiśatakam: Verse 1

दिक्कालाद्यनवच्छिन्नानन्तचिन्मात्रमूर्तये । स्वानुभूत्येकनामाय नमः शान्ताय तेजसे ॥

Dikkālādyanavacchinnānantacinmātramūrtaye | Svānubhūtyekamānāya namaḥ śāntāya tejase ||

[Salutations to the peaceful, radiant, Supreme Brahman, whose form is unlimited, indivisible, and pure consciousness; who is not confined by directions, time, or other limits; and for whom self-realization is the only measure (proof).]

{Nītiśatakam Verse 1}

This verse serves as the traditional Maṅgaḷācaraṇa at the beginning of the Nītīśatakam authored by Mahākavī Bhartṛharī. He offers this salutation to the Supreme Brahman (Parabrahma) and elaborates on its nature through various adjectives:

🍁 Dikkālādya-navacchinna: It is not limited by directions, time (past, present, future), or other things (like place, age, measure, virtue, or vice). We are bound by time: we take birth on a particular day, and a day will inevitably come when we must depart. But the Supreme Brahman transcends time altogether, untouched by birth or death. Since it is all-pervading and an eternal principle (Trikālābādhita Tattva), the limitations of direction and time do not apply to the Paramātman (Supreme Self).

🍁 Ananta: Being beyond all limitations, it has no end; hence, it is infinite.

🍁 Cinmātra-mūrti: It is not a meaningless, void existence but is pure consciousness (Chaitanya) and knowledge-filled. It is not a physical form made of matter but an embodiment of awareness. Its form is pure, unadulterated knowledge, devoid of any trace of ignorance.

🍁 Svānubhūty-eka-māna: To know this Supreme Self, the scriptures state that Anubhūti (self-experience/realization) is the only proof or path. Parabrahma cannot be fully understood through external proofs, logic, or inference alone. The Divine is Svanubhuti-eka-māna meaning the only valid standard or measure to know Him is one's own direct spiritual experience (Self-realization). It is a subjective realization rather than an objective fact to be proven. It is a subject of experience, not discussion, debate, or analysis. For instance, if one wishes to know the taste of a jalebi, one needs to eat it in order to understand that it is sweet.

🍁 Śānta: This Supreme Self is peaceful, meaning it is devoid of imperfections (Vikārarahita).

🍁 Tejase: It is radiant, light-filled, and full of knowledge (Jñānamaya). This light (Teja) will illuminate the path of 'Nīti' (moral conduct), for which this salutation is offered at the start.

अचिन्त्याव्यक्तरूपाय निर्गुणाय गुणात्मने ।

समस्तजगदाधारमूर्तये ब्रह्मणे नमः ॥

[Salutations to Brahman, the unthinkable, the unmanifest, beyond or above the Gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas), the self of the Gunas, the supporting substance or substratum behind the manifested universe.]

{Guru Gitā 1.1}

Mahākavī Bhartṛharī is traditionally associated with the Nātha Sampradāya, and his philosophical orientation reflects a deep affinity with the principles of Advaita Vedānta as propounded by Ādi Guru Śaṅkarācārya. A careful and sensitive study of his texts reveals numerous passages that echo the non-dualistic vision of reality.

🔱 ॥ श्री दत्तात्रेयार्पणमस्तु ॥ 🔱

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