Bhavani Ashtakam

Bhavani Ashtakam

न तातो न माता न बन्धुर्न दाता
न पुत्रो न पुत्री न भृत्यो न भर्ता ।
न जाया न विद्या न वृत्तिर्ममैव
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥१॥
ṇa ṭaato ṇa ṃaataa ṇa Bandhur-ṇa ḍaataa
ṇa Putro ṇa Putrii ṇa Bhrtyo ṇa Bhartaa |
ṇa ñaayaa ṇa Vidyaa ṇa Vrttir-ṃama-īva
ṅatis-ṭvam ṅatis-ṭvam ṭvam-ĕkaa Bhavaani
Neither the mother nor the father, Neither the relation nor the friend, Neither the son nor the daughter, Neither the servant nor the husband, Neither the wife nor the knowledge, And neither my sole occupation, Are my refuges that I can depend, Oh, Bhavani. So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani.
भवाब्धावपारे महादुःखभीरु
पपात प्रकामी प्रलोभी प्रमत्तः ।
कुसंसारपाशप्रबद्धः सदाहं
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥२॥
Bhavaabdhaav-āpaare ṃahaa-ḍuhkha-Bhiiru
Papaata Prakaamii Pralobhii Pramattah |
ḵu-ṣamsaara-Paasha-Prabaddhah ṣada-[ā]ham
ṅatis-ṭvam ṅatis-ṭvam ṭvam-ĕkaa Bhavaani
I am in this ocean of birth and death, I am a coward, who dare not face sorrow, I am filled with lust and sin, I am filled with greed and desire, And tied I am, by the this useless life that I lead, So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani.
न जानामि दानं न च ध्यानयोगं
न जानामि तन्त्रं न च स्तोत्रमन्त्रम् ।
न जानामि पूजां न च न्यासयोगं
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥३॥
ṇa Jānāmi ḍānam ṇa Ca ḍhyāna-ẏogam
ṇa Jānāmi ṭantram ṇa Ca Stotra-ṃantram |
ṇa Jānāmi Pūjām ṇa Ca ṇyāsa-ẏogam
ġatis-ṭvam ġatis-ṭvam ṭvam-ĕkā Bhavāni
Neither do I know how to give, Nor do I know how to meditate, Neither do I know thanthra, Nor do I know stanzas of prayer, Neither do I know how to worship, Nor do I know the art of yoga, So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani.
न जानामि पुण्यं न जानामि तीर्थ
न जानामि मुक्तिं लयं वा कदाचित् ।
न जानामि भक्तिं व्रतं वापि मात
र्गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥४॥
ṇa Jānāmi Punnyam ṇa Jānāmi ṭīrtha
ṇa Jānāmi ṃuktim l̤ayam Vā k͟hadācit |
ṇa Jānāmi Bhaktim Vratam Vāpi ṃātar-ġatis-ṭvam
ġatis-ṭvam ġatis-ṭvam ṭvam-ĕkā Bhavāni
Know I not how to be righteous, Know I not the way to the places sacred, Know I not methods of salvation, Know I not how to merge my mind with God, Know I not the art of devotion, Know I not how to practice austerities, Oh, mother, So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani.
कुकर्मी कुसङ्गी कुबुद्धिः कुदासः
कुलाचारहीनः कदाचारलीनः ।
कुदृष्टिः कुवाक्यप्रबन्धः सदाहं
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥५॥
k͟hu-k͟harmī k͟hu-Sanggī k͟hu-Buddhih k͟hudāsah
k͟hula-[āa]cāra-ḥīnah k͟hadācāra-l̤īnah |
k͟hu-ḍrssttih k͟hu-Vākya-Prabandhah Sada-[ā]ham
ġatis-ṭvam ġatis-ṭvam ṭvam-ĕkā Bhavāni
Perform I bad actions, Keep I company of bad ones, Think I bad and sinful thoughts, Serve I bad masters, Belong I to a bad family, Immersed I am in sinful acts, See I with bad intentions, Write I collection of bad words, Always and always, So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani.
प्रजेशं रमेशं महेशं सुरेशं
दिनेशं निशीथेश्वरं वा कदाचित् ।
न जानामि चान्यत् सदाहं शरण्ये
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥६॥
Praje[a-īs]śam ṟame[a-īs]śam ṃahe[a-īs]śam Sure[a-īs]śam
ḍine[a-īs]śam ṇiśīthe[a-ī]śvaram Vā k͟hadācit |
ṇa Jānāmi Cānyat Sada-[ā]ham ṣarannye
ġatis-ṭvam ġatis-ṭvam ṭvam-ĕkā Bhavāni
Neither do I know the creator, Nor the lord of Lakshmi, Neither do I know the lord of all, Nor do I know the lord of devas, Neither do I know the god who makes the day, Nor the god who rules at night, Neither do I know any other gods, Oh, goddess to whom I bow always, So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani.
विवादे विषादे प्रमादे प्रवासे
जले चानले पर्वते शत्रुमध्ये ।
अरण्ये शरण्ये सदा मां प्रपाहि
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥७॥
Vivāde Vissāde Pramāde Pravāse
Jale Ca-[ā]nale Parvate ṣatru-ṃadhye |
ārannye ṣarannye Sadā ṃām Prapāhi
ġatis-ṭvam ġatis-ṭvam ṭvam-ĕkā Bhavāni
While I am in a heated argument, While I am immersed in sorrow, While I am suffering an accident, While I am traveling far off, While I am in water or fire, While I am on the top of a mountain, While I am surrounded by enemies, And while I am in a deep forest, Oh goddess, I always bow before thee, So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani.
अनाथो दरिद्रो जरारोगयुक्तो
महाक्षीणदीनः सदा जाड्यवक्त्रः ।
विपत्तौ प्रविष्टः प्रनष्टः सदाहं
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥८॥
ānātho ḍaridro Jarā-ṟoga-ẏukto
ṃahā-k͟hssīnna-ḍīnah Sadā Jāddya-Vaktrah |
Vipattau Pravissttah Pranassttah Sadāham
ġatis-ṭvam ġatis-ṭvam ṭvam-ĕkā Bhavāni
While being an orphan, While being extremely poor, While affected by disease of old age, While I am terribly tired, While I am in a pitiable state, While I am being swallowed by problems, And while I suffer serious dangers, I always bow before thee, So you are my refuge and only refuge, Bhavani.

Description

Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Bhavani Ashtakam is a popular hymn on Goddess Bhavani, who is known for her protection and merciful nature. The Lyrics of this hymn have an in-depth meaning that which explains, I don’t have anyone or anything other than you, the divine mother Bhavani to protect in all difficult situations. Tuljapur is a famous pilgrimage of Devi Bhavani (popularly called as Tulja Bhavani).

Bhavani Ashtakam

Bhavani Ashtakam is one of the most revered devotional hymns dedicated to Goddess Bhavani, the Divine Mother who represents compassion, protection, wisdom, strength, and unconditional grace. Composed with deep spiritual emotion and surrender, Bhavani Ashtakam expresses the heartfelt cry of the devotee seeking refuge at the lotus feet of the Divine Mother. The sacred verses reveal the helplessness of the human soul and the boundless mercy of Goddess Bhavani, who alone can guide seekers across the ocean of worldly suffering and ignorance. Through devotion, prayer, and remembrance of the Divine Mother, the hymn inspires spiritual awakening, inner peace, and faith in divine protection.

The spiritual beauty of Bhavani Ashtakam lies in its simplicity and emotional depth. Each verse reflects complete surrender to the Goddess and acknowledges that worldly relationships, wealth, power, and possessions cannot provide permanent peace or liberation. The devotee turns entirely toward the Divine Mother, recognising her as the only refuge during sorrow, confusion, fear, and suffering. This sacred composition teaches seekers to cultivate humility, devotion, self-surrender, and constant remembrance of God. The timeless wisdom preserved through Devotional India continues to inspire countless spiritual aspirants to chant sacred hymns and practise divine remembrance in daily life.

The teachings contained in Bhavani Ashtakam also remind humanity that divine grace becomes accessible when the heart is filled with sincerity, purity, and faith. The devotee openly confesses weakness, ignorance, attachment, and inability to overcome worldly bondage without the help of the Divine Mother. This spirit of surrender is one of the greatest strengths in spiritual life because it removes ego and opens the heart to divine blessings. Through regular chanting and contemplation, seekers gradually experience calmness, emotional strength, spiritual clarity, and deeper devotion toward the Divine.

The sacred hymn also emphasises that human life is uncertain and temporary. People often become trapped in desires, attachment, anger, fear, greed, and endless worldly pursuits, forgetting the true purpose of life. The verses encourage seekers to awaken spiritually and seek refuge in divine wisdom before life passes away in distraction and ignorance. The emotional appeal of the devotee in Bhavani Ashtakam touches the heart deeply because it reflects the universal struggles of humanity and the eternal longing for divine love and protection. The spiritual culture preserved through Devotional India continues to spread such timeless devotional teachings for inner transformation and self-realisation.

Another profound aspect of Bhavani Ashtakam is its emphasis on the Divine Mother as the ultimate source of compassion and liberation. In spiritual tradition, Goddess Bhavani represents the power that removes darkness, fear, sorrow, and ignorance from the life of the devotee. Through surrender at her feet, seekers attain courage, peace, purity, and spiritual awakening. The hymn reminds humanity that no matter how difficult life becomes, divine grace is always available to sincere seekers who approach God with humility and faith. This teaching inspires countless devotees to maintain hope and spiritual discipline even during challenging times.

The chanting of Bhavani Ashtakam also has a powerful impact on the mind and emotions. Sacred vibrations created through devotional recitation help calm the restless mind and awaken spiritual awareness. Regular chanting develops concentration, devotion, self-control, and emotional balance. Many devotees recite the hymn during prayer, meditation, and spiritual practice to experience inner peace and divine connection. The timeless devotional traditions preserved by Devotional India continue to encourage seekers to include sacred chanting and remembrance of God in daily spiritual life.

The deeper message of Bhavani Ashtakam teaches that true refuge lies only in the Divine. Worldly pleasures, achievements, and relationships may provide temporary comfort, but lasting peace arises from devotion, self-realisation, and surrender to divine consciousness. The hymn beautifully expresses the longing of the soul to unite with the Divine Mother and be freed from fear, suffering, and ignorance. Through sincere devotion and prayer, the devotee gradually rises above ego, attachment, and negativity and experiences spiritual fulfilment.

The devotional spirit of Bhavani Ashtakam continues to inspire seekers across generations because its message is universal and eternal. It teaches surrender, faith, humility, devotion, and complete dependence upon divine grace. The sacred hymn reminds humanity that spiritual awakening begins when one realises personal limitations and seeks the guidance of the Divine Mother with sincerity and love. Through meditation, prayer, chanting, and righteous living, seekers gradually experience divine peace and inner transformation.

The eternal wisdom of Bhavani Ashtakam guides humanity toward purity of heart, self-realisation, compassion, and God-consciousness. Its sacred verses continue to uplift spiritual aspirants and inspire them to cultivate devotion and surrender in daily life. The spiritual teachings preserved through Devotional India continue to spread the message of divine love, universal compassion, meditation, and spiritual awakening for the benefit of all seekers. Through sincere recitation and contemplation of Bhavani Ashtakam, devotees experience strength, peace, protection, and the boundless grace of the Divine Mother.

-Ahalya Draupadi Sita Tara