Verse by verse · arth

Hanuman Ashtak Meaning

॥ संकटमोचन हनुमान अष्टक ॥

Here is the Hanuman Ashtak meaning, verse by verse. Each verse of the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak remembers one leela of Hanuman ji from the Ramayan, so once you know the story behind it, the paath starts to feel very different. I have kept the arth in plain words.

Hanuman ji in devotion, with Bhagwan Ram

Just the lyrics

बाल समय रवि भक्षि लियो तब, तीनहुं लोक भयो अंधियारो।
ताहि सों त्रास भयो जग को, यह संकट काहु सों जात न टारो।
देवन आनि करी बिनती तब, छाड़ि दियो रवि कष्ट निवारो।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥

Meaning: As a child you mistook the blazing sun for a fruit and swallowed it, and all three worlds fell into darkness. Creation was gripped by terror and none could undo the calamity. Only when the gods came and prayed did you release the sun and end the crisis. Who in this world does not know, O Hanuman, that your very name is Sankat-mochan, the remover of every trouble?

बालि की त्रास कपीस बसै गिरि, जात महाप्रभु पंथ निहारो।
चौंकि महामुनि साप दियो तब, चाहिय कौन बिचार बिचारो।
कै द्विज रूप लिवाय महाप्रभु, सो तुम दास के सोक निवारो।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥

Meaning: Sugriva lived hidden on the mountain in dread of his brother Bali. Seeing Sri Ram approach, he sent you to learn who the strangers were. Taking the form of a brahmin, you met Ram, brought Him to Sugriva, and lifted your devotee's fear and grief. Who in this world does not know, O Hanuman, that your very name is Sankat-mochan, the remover of every trouble?

अंगद के संग लेन गए सिय, खोज कपीस यह बैन उचारो।
जीवत ना बचिहौ हम सो जु, बिना सुधि लाय इहां पगु धारो।
हेरि थके तट सिंधु सबै तब, लाय सिया-सुधि प्राण उबारो।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥

Meaning: When the search party set out with Angad, Sugriva had warned that any who returned without word of Sita would forfeit their lives. Exhausted, the vanaras despaired at the ocean's edge, until you brought news of Sita and saved every one of their lives. Who in this world does not know, O Hanuman, that your very name is Sankat-mochan, the remover of every trouble?

रावन त्रास दई सिय को सब, राक्षसि सों कहि सोक निवारो।
ताहि समय हनुमान महाप्रभु, जाय महा रजनीचर मारो।
चाहत सीय असोक सों आगि सु, दै प्रभु मुद्रिका सोक निवारो।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥

Meaning: Ravan tormented Sita and set his demonesses upon her. At that very moment you arrived and struck down the mighty night-rangers. As grieving Sita turned to the ashoka tree meaning to end her life, you dropped Ram's ring before her and dispelled her sorrow. Who in this world does not know, O Hanuman, that your very name is Sankat-mochan, the remover of every trouble?

बान लग्यो उर लछिमन के तब, प्रान तजे सुत रावन मारो।
लै गृह बैद्य सुषेन समेत, तबै गिरि द्रोन सु-बीर उपारो।
आनि सजीवन हाथ दई तब, लछिमन के तुम प्रान उबारो।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥

Meaning: When Meghnad's arrow pierced Lakshman's chest and his life ebbed away, you fetched the physician Sushen and uprooted the Dronagiri peak to bring the Sanjivani herb. Placing it in his hand, you restored Lakshman to life. Who in this world does not know, O Hanuman, that your very name is Sankat-mochan, the remover of every trouble?

रावन जुध अजान कियो तब, नाग कि फाँस सबै सिर डारो।
श्रीरघुनाथ समेत सबै दल, मोह भयो यह संकट भारो।
आनि खगेस तबै हनुमान जु, बंधन काटि सुत्रास निवारो।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥

Meaning: When Ravan waged unseen war and bound Ram and the whole army in nooses of serpents, and all lay helpless in that spell, you brought Garuda, lord of birds, who devoured the snakes, cutting every bond and ending the terror. Who in this world does not know, O Hanuman, that your very name is Sankat-mochan, the remover of every trouble?

बंधु समेत जबै अहिरावन, लै रघुनाथ पताल सिधारो।
देबिहिं पूजि भलि विधि सों बलि, देउ सबै मिलि मंत्र बिचारो।
जाय सहाय भयो तब ही, अहिरावन सैन्य समेत संहारो।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥

Meaning: When Ahiravan carried Ram and Lakshman to Patal-lok to sacrifice them before his goddess, and the demons plotted in secret counsel, you went to their aid, destroyed Ahiravan with his whole army, and brought the brothers back. Who in this world does not know, O Hanuman, that your very name is Sankat-mochan, the remover of every trouble?

काज किए बड़ देवन के तुम, बीर महाप्रभु देखि बिचारो।
कौन सो संकट मोर गरीब को, जो तुमसों नहिं जात है टारो।
बेगि हरो हनुमान महाप्रभु, जो कछु संकट होय हमारो।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥

Meaning: You have accomplished the greatest tasks for the very gods, O valiant one, consider this: what trouble of your poor devotee could there be that you cannot undo? Come swiftly, O Hanuman, and take away whatever distress is mine. Who in this world does not know, O Hanuman, that your very name is Sankat-mochan, the remover of every trouble?

॥ Doha ॥

लाल देह लाली लसे, अरु धरि लाल लंगूर।
बज्र देह दानव दलन, जय जय जय कपि सूर॥

Meaning: His body is red and glows with a red radiance; he wears a red tail. His frame is hard as the thunderbolt, the crusher of demons, victory, victory, victory to the mighty Kapi!

What is the Hanuman Ashtak, in short

The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak is eight verses in praise of Hanuman ji, written by Tulsidas ji. Its whole meaning turns on one refrain, "Ko nahin janat hai jag mein kapi, Sankat Mochan naam tiharo", which is to say, who in this world does not know that Hanuman ji is the remover of every trouble. Each verse gives one proof of it from the Ramayan, and then reminds him of that name. To read the words themselves, see the lyrics, and to know why devotees read it daily, see the benefits.

One small thing about me. I am not a pandit or a big scholar, just an ordinary bhakt of Bajrang Bali from Jaipur. I made this page as seva, and I have checked the text with care. Still, if you notice any mistake anywhere, please write to me on the contact page and I will correct it.

Saurabh Satyaram, Jaipur