Shri Hari Sharanashtakam

Shri Hari Sharanashtakam is the sacred hymn in praise of and as a prayer to Shri Hari, who is also worshipped as Narayana, Vishnu, Govinda, Madhava, Keshava, Vasudeva, and by many other divine names. This devotional hymn expresses complete surrender at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, glorifying Him as the eternal protector, savior, and refuge of all beings.

Shri Hari Sharanashtakam consists of eight beautiful verses, each describing the infinite mercy, divine compassion, supreme qualities, and boundless grace of Bhagwan Hari. Every stanza inspires unwavering faith, devotion, and total surrender to the Lord. The benefits of chanting this sacred hymn are traditionally cherished by devotees. It is believed that reciting Shri Hari Sharanashtakam with devotion removes fear, dispels sorrows, grants inner peace, strengthens spiritual faith, and bestows the divine blessings of Lord Hari.

This sacred hymn is widely recited during daily worship, Ekadashi, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, and other auspicious occasions dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It encourages devotees to seek refuge in the Supreme Lord, deepen their devotion, and attain spiritual upliftment through complete surrender to His divine will.

Shri Hari Sharanashtakam is presented in Devanagari and English scripts along with a simple English translation, enabling devotees to understand its profound meaning and recite it with devotion and reverence.

॥ श्री हरि शरणाष्टकम् ॥

ध्येयं वदन्ति शिवमेव हि केचिदन्ये शक्तिं गणेशमपरे तु दिवाकरं वै।
रूपैस्तु तैरपि विभासि यतस्त्वमेव तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥1॥

Dhyeyam Vadanti Shivam Eva Hi Kechid Anye Shaktim Ganesham Apare Tu Divakaram Vai.
Rupais Tu Tair Api Vibhasi Yatas Tvam Eva Tasmat Tvam Eva Sharanam Mama Dinabandho.

Some meditate upon Lord Shiva, others worship the Divine Mother, Lord Ganesha, or the Sun God. Yet it is You alone who shine through all these divine forms. Therefore, O Friend of the helpless, You alone are my refuge.

नो सोदरो न जनको जननी न जाया नैवात्मजो न च कुलं विपुलं बलं वा।
संदृष्यते न किल कोऽपि सहायको मे तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥2॥

No Sodaro Na Janako Janani Na Jaya Naivatmajo Na Cha Kulam Vipulam Balam Va.
Sandrishyate Na Kila Ko’Pi Sahayako Me Tasmat Tvam Eva Sharanam Mama Dinabandho.

Neither brother, nor father, nor mother, nor wife, nor son, nor family, nor worldly strength can truly remain my support. Seeing that no one is my permanent helper, O Friend of the helpless, You alone are my refuge.

नोपासिता मदमपास्य मया महान्तस्तीर्थानि चास्तिकधिया न हि सेवितानि।
देवार्चनं च विधिवन्न कृतं कदापि तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥3॥

Nopasita Madam Apasya Maya Mahantas Tirthani Chastika Dhiya Na Hi Sevitani.
Devarchanam Cha Vidhivan Na Kritam Kadapi Tasmat Tvam Eva Sharanam Mama Dinabandho.

I have not humbled my pride to serve the great saints. I have not faithfully visited sacred places, nor have I properly worshipped the Lord according to the prescribed scriptures. Therefore, O Friend of the helpless, You alone are my refuge.

दुर्वासना मम सदा परिकर्षयन्ति चित्तं शरीरमपि रोगगणा दहन्ति।
सञ्जीवनं च परहस्तगतं सदैव तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥4॥

Durvasana Mama Sada Parikarshayanti Chittam Shariram Api Rogagana Dahanti.
Sanjivanam Cha Parahasta Gatam Sadaiva Tasmat Tvam Eva Sharanam Mama Dinabandho.

My mind is constantly dragged by evil tendencies, and my body is tormented by countless diseases. Even the means of survival remain beyond my control. Therefore, O Friend of the helpless, You alone are my refuge.

पूर्वं कृतानि दुरितानि मया तु यानि स्मृत्वाखिलानि हृदयं परिकम्पते मे।
ख्याता च ते पतितपावनता तु यस्मात्तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥5॥

Purvam Kritani Duritani Maya Tu Yani Smritvakhilani Hridayam Parikampate Me.
Khyata Cha Te Patita Pavanata Tu Yasmat Tasmat Tvam Eva Sharanam Mama Dinabandho.

Whenever I remember the sins and wrong deeds committed in the past, my heart trembles with fear. Yet Your glory as the purifier of even the fallen is renowned everywhere. Therefore, O Friend of the helpless, You alone are my refuge.

दुःखं जराजननजं विविधाश्च रोगाः काकश्वसूकरजनिर्निरये च पातः।
त्वद्विस्मृतेः फलमिदं विततं हि लोके तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥6॥

Duhkham Jarajanmajam Vividhash Cha Rogah Kakashva Sukara Janir Niraye Cha Patah.
Tvad Vismriteh Phalam Idam Vitatam Hi Loke Tasmat Tvam Eva Sharanam Mama Dinabandho.

Old age, birth, sorrow, countless diseases, lower births, and even descent into hell are all the results of forgetting You in this world. Therefore, O Friend of the helpless, You alone are my refuge.

नीचोऽपि पापवलितोऽपि विनिन्दितोऽपि ब्रूयात्तवाहमिति यस्तु किलैकवारम्।
तं यच्छसीश निजलोकमिति व्रतं ते तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥7॥

Nicho’Pi Papa Valito’Pi Vinindito’Pi Bruyat Tavaham Iti Yastu Kilaika Varam.
Tam Yachchhasisha Nijalokam Iti Vratam Te Tasmat Tvam Eva Sharanam Mama Dinabandho.

Even if a person is lowly, sinful, or condemned by the world, if he sincerely says even once, “I am Yours,” You grant him Your divine abode. Such is Your sacred vow. Therefore, O Friend of the helpless, You alone are my refuge.

वेदेषु धर्मवचनेषु तथागमेषु रामायणेऽपि च पुराणकदम्बके वा।
सर्वत्र सर्वविधिना गदितस्त्वमेव तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥8॥

Vedeshu Dharma Vachaneshu Tathagameshu Ramayane’Pi Cha Purana Kadambake Va.
Sarvatra Sarva Vidhina Gaditas Tvam Eva Tasmat Tvam Eva Sharanam Mama Dinabandho.

In the Vedas, the teachings of Dharma, the Agamas, the Ramayana, and the many Puranas, it is You alone who are proclaimed as the Supreme Lord in every possible way. Therefore, O Friend of the helpless, You alone are my refuge.

॥ इति श्रीमत्परमहंसस्वामिब्रह्मानन्दविरचितं श्रीहरिशरणाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥