Nirvana Shatakam and Scientific Falsifiability: A Dialogue Between Philosophy and Science

This article explores the intersection of scientific falsifiability, as formulated by Karl Popper, and the method of negation in the sixth-century Advaita Vedanta text Nirvana Shatakam. It argues that both science and spirituality advance toward truth by systematically removing error—science through falsifying hypotheses and spirituality through self-inquiry and negation of mistaken identities. Drawing parallels with developments in modern physics, the article shows how each verse of Nirvana Shatakam functions like a hypothesis test of the self, culminating in the unfalsifiable realization of pure consciousness. The analysis highlights how these seemingly disparate domains share a common epistemic movement, inviting dialogue between scientific and philosophical approaches to truth and knowledge. This convergence offers a bridge between reason and revelation, making ancient spiritual insights accessible to contemporary seekers grounded in logic and inquiry.