Bhavani Ashtakam
Bhavani Ashtakam
bhavAnI aSTakam
na tAto na mAtA na bandhurna dAtA
na putro na putrI na bhRtyo na bhartA
na jAyA na vidyA na vRttirmamaiva
gatistvaM gatistvaM tvamekA bhavAni || 1 ||
bhavAbdhAvapAre mahAduHkhabhIru
papAta prakAmI pralobhI pramattaH
kusaMsArapAzaprabaddhaH sadAhaM
gatistvaM gatistvaM tvamekA bhavAni || 2 ||
na jAnAmi dAnaM na ca dhyAnayogaM
na jAnAmi tantraM na ca stotramantram
na jAnAmi pUjAM na ca nyAsayogaM
gatistvaM gatistvaM tvamekA bhavAni || 3 ||
na jAnAmi puNyaM na jAnAmi tIrthaM
na jAnAmi muktiM layaM vA kadAcit
na jAnAmi bhaktiM vrataM vApi mAtaH
gatistvaM gatistvaM tvamekA bhavAni || 4 ||
kukarmI kusaGgI kubuddhiH kudAsaH
kulAcArahInaH kadAcAralInaH
kudRSTiH kuvAkyaprabandhaH sadAhaM
gatistvaM gatistvaM tvamekA bhavAni || 5 ||
prajezaM ramezaM mahezaM surezaM
dinezaM nizIthezvaraM vA kadAcit
na jAnAmi cAnyat sadAhaM zaraNye
gatistvaM gatistvaM tvamekA bhavAni || 6 ||
vivAde viSAde pramAde pravAse
jale cAnale parvate zatrumadhye
araNye zaraNye sadA mAM prapAhi
gatistvaM gatistvaM tvamekA bhavAni || 7 ||
anAtho daridro jarArogayukto
mahAkSINadInaH sadA jADyavaktraH
vipattau praviSTaH pranaSTaH sadAhaM
gatistvaM gatistvaM tvamekA bhavAni || 8 ||
|| iti zrImadAdizaGkarAcAryaviracitaM bhavAnyaSTakaM sampUrNam ||
About This Stotram
Overview
The Bhavani Ashtakam is an 8-verse Sanskrit ashtakam attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, dedicated to Goddess Bhavani, a form of Goddess Parvati/Durga. The text is structured as a surrender prayer, with each verse repeating the refrain "Gatistvam Gatistvam Tvameka Bhavani" (You are my refuge, O Bhavani, You alone), expressing complete reliance on the Divine Mother as the ultimate refuge.
What are the benefits of chanting Bhavani Ashtakam?
- Removal of fear and anxiety
- Protection from worldly troubles and obstacles
- Development of inner strength and courage
- Progress toward spiritual liberation
When is the best time to recite this?
The Bhavani Ashtakam is traditionally recited during mornings and evenings. It is especially recommended during Navaratri, Durga Puja, and other occasions dedicated to Goddess Durga or Bhavani, as well as during times of personal distress when seeking strength and guidance.
What is the historical and traditional background?
The text is attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th-century philosopher and theologian who founded the Advaita Vedanta school and established the Shanmata tradition of worship. Like many of his devotional compositions, the Bhavani Ashtakam pairs philosophical depth with direct Bhakti, acknowledging the ultimate reality of Brahman while offering a path of surrender to the Divine Mother. Its origin is not traced to a specific Purana or Upanishad but is widely accepted as an independent composition within the Shakta devotional tradition.
Available scripts
This text is available in 14 scripts: devanagari, tamil, telugu, kannada, malayalam, gujarati, bengali, iast, gurmukhi, oriya, assamese, sinhala, itrans, hk. Use the script selector above to switch between them.
Related Texts
- Annapurna Ashtakam — another 8-verse hymn attributed to Shankaracharya honoring a maternal form of the Divine Mother
- Mahishasura Mardini Stotram — a longer hymn celebrating Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahisha