Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak
संकटमोचन हनुमानाष्टक
The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak is a hymn of eight stanzas and a closing doha praising Hanuman as Sankat Mochan, the remover of troubles, and it is traditionally attributed to Goswami Tulsidas. Each stanza, in Braj-flavoured Hindi, recalls a time Hanuman rescued someone, such as the swallowed sun or Lakshman's revival, and ends with the refrain 'Ko nahin janat hai jag mein kapi, Sankat Mochan naam tiharo'. Devotees recite it especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
- 9 verses
- 5 min
- Traditionally attributed to Goswami Tulsidas
- Best on Tuesday, Saturday
Baal Samay Ravi Bhakshi Liyo Tab, Teenahun Lok Bhayo Andhiyaroबाल समय रबि भक्षि लियो तब तीनहुँ लोक भयो अँधियारो।
Tahi Son Tras Bhayo Jag Ko, Yah Sankat Kahu Son Jat Na Taroताहि सों त्रास भयो जग को यह संकट काहु सों जात न टारो।
Devan Aani Kari Binati Tab, Chhandi Diyo Ravi Kasht Nivaroदेवन आनि करी बिनती तब छाँड़ि दियो रबि कष्ट निवारो।
Ko Nahin Janat Hai Jag Mein Kapi, Sankat Mochan Naam Tiharoको नहिं जानत है जगमें कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥१॥
As a child you swallowed the sun, and darkness fell over the three worlds. The whole world was seized with dread, and no one could avert the calamity. Then the gods came and pleaded with you, and you released the sun and ended their distress. Who in this world does not know, O Kapi, that your name is Sankat Mochan, the remover of troubles?
Bali Ki Tras Kapis Basai Giri, Jat Mahaprabhu Panth Niharoबालि की त्रास कपीस बसै गिरि जात महाप्रभु पंथ निहारो।
Chaunki Maha Muni Sap Diyo Tab, Chahiya Kaun Bichar Bicharoचौंकि महा मुनि साप दियो तब चाहिय कौन बिचार बिचारो।
Kai Dvij Roop Livay Mahaprabhu, So Tum Das Ke Sok Nivaroकै द्विज रूप लिवाय महाप्रभु सो तुम दास के सोक निवारो।
Ko Nahin Janat Hai Jag Mein Kapi, Sankat Mochan Naam Tiharoको नहिं जानत है जगमें कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥२॥
Fearing Bali, Sugriva, lord of the vanaras, lived on the mountain that a great sage's curse kept Bali from; seeing the great Lord Ram coming along the path, he was startled and wondered what to do. Then you took a brahmin's form, brought the Lord to him, and so ended the grief of that devotee. Who in this world does not know, O Kapi, that your name is Sankat Mochan, the remover of troubles?
Kishkindha Kand: sage Matanga's curse barred Bali from Rishyamuka mountain, so Sugriva sheltered there. The second line is read in more than one way by commentators.
Angad Ke Sang Len Gaye Siya, Khoj Kapis Yah Bain Ucharoअंगद के सँग लेन गये सिय खोज कपीस यह बैन उचारो।
Jeevat Na Bachihau Ham So Ju, Bina Sudhi Laye Ihan Pagu Dharoजीवत ना बचिहौ हम सो जु बिना सुधि लाए इहाँ पगु धारो।
Heri Thake Tat Sindhu Sabai Tab, Laye Siya Sudhi Pran Ubaroहेरि थके तट सिंधु सबै तब लाय सिया-सुधि प्रान उबारो।
Ko Nahin Janat Hai Jag Mein Kapi, Sankat Mochan Naam Tiharoको नहिं जानत है जगमें कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥३॥
You went with Angad in search of Sita, when Sugriva had declared: 'Whoever sets foot here without news of her will not escape alive from me.' When all had searched and sat exhausted on the seashore, you brought news of Sita and saved their lives. Who in this world does not know, O Kapi, that your name is Sankat Mochan, the remover of troubles?
Ravan Tras Dai Siya Ko Sab, Rakshasi Son Kahi Sok Nivaroरावन त्रास दई सिय को सब राक्षसि सों कहि सोक निवारो।
Tahi Samay Hanuman Mahaprabhu, Jaye Maha Rajanichar Maroताहि समय हनुमान महाप्रभु जाय महा रजनीचर मारो।
Chahat Siya Asok Son Aagi Su, Dai Prabhu Mudrika Sok Nivaroचाहत सीय असोक सों आगि सु दै प्रभु मुद्रिका सोक निवारो।
Ko Nahin Janat Hai Jag Mein Kapi, Sankat Mochan Naam Tiharoको नहिं जानत है जगमें कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥४॥
Ravan tormented Sita and set all the demonesses upon her to wear down her grief and resolve. At that very time, great lord Hanuman, you went there and slew mighty night-prowling demons. When Sita begged the Ashoka tree for fire to end her life, you gave her the Lord's ring and dispelled her sorrow. Who in this world does not know, O Kapi, that your name is Sankat Mochan, the remover of troubles?
Sundar Kand: in despair Sita asks the Ashoka tree for a spark of fire; at that moment Hanuman drops Ram's ring before her.
Baan Lagyo Ur Lachhiman Ke Tab, Pran Taje Sut Ravan Maroबान लग्यो उर लछिमन के तब प्रान तजे सुत रावन मारो।
Lai Grih Baidya Sushen Samet, Tabai Giri Dron Su Beer Uparoलै गृह बैद्य सुषेन समेत तबै गिरि द्रोन सु बीर उपारो।
Aani Sajeevan Hath Dai Tab, Lachhiman Ke Tum Pran Ubaroआनि सजीवन हाथ दई तब लछिमन के तुम प्रान उबारो।
Ko Nahin Janat Hai Jag Mein Kapi, Sankat Mochan Naam Tiharoको नहिं जानत है जगमें कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥५॥
When the weapon loosed by Ravan's son struck Lakshman's chest and his life seemed to slip away, you brought the physician Sushen together with his very house, and then, O hero, uprooted the Drona mountain. You placed the Sanjivani herb in the physician's hands and so saved Lakshman's life. Who in this world does not know, O Kapi, that your name is Sankat Mochan, the remover of troubles?
Lanka Kand: Meghnad's shakti weapon felled Lakshman; the physician Sushen named the herb, and Hanuman brought the whole mountain when he could not tell the herbs apart.
Ravan Juddh Ajan Kiyo Tab, Naag Ki Phans Sabai Sir Daroरावन जुद्ध अजान कियो तब नाग कि फाँस सबै सिर डारो।
Shri Raghunath Samet Sabai Dal, Moh Bhayo Yah Sankat Bharoश्रीरघुनाथ समेत सबै दल मोह भयो यह संकट भारो।
Aani Khages Tabai Hanuman Ju, Bandhan Kati Sutras Nivaroआनि खगेस तबै हनुमान जु बंधन काटि सुत्रास निवारो।
Ko Nahin Janat Hai Jag Mein Kapi, Sankat Mochan Naam Tiharoको नहिं जानत है जगमें कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥६॥
When Ravan's side fought an unforeseen, deceitful battle and cast the serpent noose over everyone, Shri Ram and the whole army fell senseless. It was a grave crisis. Then, Hanuman, you brought Garuda, lord of the birds, who cut the bonds and ended that terror. Who in this world does not know, O Kapi, that your name is Sankat Mochan, the remover of troubles?
Lanka Kand: Meghnad bound Ram, Lakshman and the army with the naga-pasha, the serpent weapon; Garuda, the enemy of serpents, freed them.
Bandhu Samet Jabai Ahiravan, Lai Raghunath Patal Sidharoबंधु समेत जबै अहिरावन लै रघुनाथ पताल सिधारो।
Debihi Pooji Bhali Bidhi Son Bali, Deu Sabai Mili Mantra Bicharoदेबिहिं पूजि भली बिधि सों बलि देउ सबै मिलि मंत्र बिचारो।
Jaye Sahay Bhayo Tab Hi, Ahiravan Sainya Samet Sanharoजाय सहाय भयो तब ही अहिरावन सैन्य समेत सँहारो।
Ko Nahin Janat Hai Jag Mein Kapi, Sankat Mochan Naam Tiharoको नहिं जानत है जगमें कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥७॥
When Ahiravan carried Shri Ram and his brother away to the netherworld, and the demons, having duly worshipped their goddess, plotted together to offer them as a sacrifice, you went there to help and destroyed Ahiravan with his whole army. Who in this world does not know, O Kapi, that your name is Sankat Mochan, the remover of troubles?
The Ahiravan episode belongs to later Ramayana traditions rather than to Valmiki's text or the Ramcharitmanas.
Kaj Kiye Bad Devan Ke Tum, Beer Mahaprabhu Dekhi Bicharoकाज किये बड़ देवन के तुम बीर महाप्रभु देखि बिचारो।
Kaun So Sankat Mor Gareeb Ko, Jo Tumson Nahin Jat Hai Taroकौन सो संकट मोर गरीब को जो तुमसों नहिं जात है टारो।
Begi Haro Hanuman Mahaprabhu, Jo Kachhu Sankat Hoy Hamaroबेगि हरो हनुमान महाप्रभु जो कछु संकट होय हमारो।
Ko Nahin Janat Hai Jag Mein Kapi, Sankat Mochan Naam Tiharoको नहिं जानत है जगमें कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥८॥
You have accomplished great tasks even for the gods, O mighty hero. Look and consider: what trouble of mine, a humble soul, could there be that you cannot remove? O great lord Hanuman, swiftly take away whatever troubles are mine. Who in this world does not know, O Kapi, that your name is Sankat Mochan, the remover of troubles?
Lal Deh Lali Lase, Aru Dhari Lal Langoorलाल देह लाली लसे, अरु धरि लाल लँगूर।
Bajra Deh Danav Dalan, Jai Jai Jai Kapi Soorबज्र देह दानव दलन, जय जय जय कपि सूर॥
Your red body glows with vermilion, and red too is your tail. O heroic Kapi, with a body hard as the thunderbolt, destroyer of demons, victory, victory, victory to you!
Tradition offers Hanuman sindoor (vermilion). Red is also the colour of Mars (Mangal), and Mangalvar, Tuesday, is one of Hanuman's days.
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Questions
What does 'Sankat Mochan' mean?
'The one who frees us from trouble'. 'Sankat' is trouble or danger and 'mochan' is release. It is one of Hanuman's best-loved names, and every stanza of this ashtak ends by asking who in the world does not know it.
Who wrote the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak?
Tradition says Goswami Tulsidas, and some printings name him in the closing line. The language and the Braj-flavoured savaiya metre fit the devotional poetry of his time. Still, as with the Bajrang Baan, the attribution is not firmly established. Gita Press prints it alongside the Hanuman Chalisa.
When should the Sankat Mochan Ashtak be recited?
On Tuesdays and Saturdays, usually straight after the Hanuman Chalisa. Many people also turn to it in difficult times, since every stanza is about Hanuman getting someone out of trouble. Tradition says reciting it with faith brings his help. There is no fixed rule on how many times to recite it.
What does 'Baal samay ravi bhakshi liyo' refer to?
Hanuman as a baby. He saw the rising sun, took it for a ripe fruit and swallowed it, and the three worlds went dark. When the gods pleaded with him, he let the sun go.
Is this ashtak connected to the Sankat Mochan temple in Varanasi?
They share the name, and tradition links both with Tulsidas.
Source and review
Source: Sankatmochan Hanumanashtak, Gita Press Gorakhpur reading (appendix to Gita Press's Shri Ramcharitmanas; scanned copy on archive.org), cross-checked with sanskritdocuments.org (doc_z_otherlang_hindi/sankatamochana)
The two sources agree line for line. Gita Press joins postpositions (जगमें, तुमसों), which we keep; OCR slips in the scan (e.g. भशक्षि, चौकि) were corrected against sanskritdocuments.org. The sanskritdocuments.org text adds a closing chant ('सियावर रामचन्द्र पद गहि रहुँ…') not found in the Gita Press printing. Each stanza is shown as four lines, the fourth being the refrain.
We checked the text line by line against the sources named here. The meanings are an AI-assisted draft. A scholar has not reviewed them yet.
The meanings are our own first draft. A scholar has not reviewed them yet. If you spot a mistake, please tell us.