Make spiritual progress by reciting Sankatmochan Hanuman Ashtak
Updated: May 31
The Sankatmochan Temple in Varanasi is a revered spiritual site with a history spanning approximately four hundred years. This temple holds significant importance as it is believed that the great poet-saint Tulsidas ji composed the Sankatmochan Hanumanashtak here. It is also said that Tulsidas ji had his first divine vision of Lord Hanuman at this sacred place.
In his old age, Saint Tulsidas ji suffered from unbearable pain in his arms. Seeking relief, he prayed fervently to Lord Hanuman. In response to his prayers, he composed the Hanuman Ashtak and Hanuman Bahuk, which are considered powerful prayers dedicated to Lord Hanuman. According to Vedic astrology, Lord Hanuman is known to protect devotees from the adverse effects of Saturn (Shani) and Mars (Mangal). As a result, many people visit the Sankatmochan Temple to seek relief from the wrath of Saturn.
Recitation of Hanuman Ashtak:
To recite the Hanuman Ashtak, follow these steps:
Preparation:
Place a picture of Lord Hanuman and a picture of Lord Rama.
Light a lamp using ghee (clarified butter).
Keep a copper glass filled with water.
Offer Tulsi (basil) leaves.
Recitation:
Recite the Hanuman Ashtak with love and devotion in front of the pictures of Lord Hanuman and Lord Rama.
Post-Recitation:
After completing the recitation, give the water from the copper glass and the Tulsi leaves to the person for whom the recitation was performed.
Daily Practice:
It is beneficial to recite the Hanuman Ashtak daily as part of regular devotional practice.
By following these steps, devotees can seek the blessings of Lord Hanuman and find relief from their troubles, reaffirming their faith and devotion.
Sankatmochan Hanumanashtak by Goswami Tulsidas
बाल समय रबि भक्षि लियो तब, तीनहुँ लोक भयो अँधियारो ।
ताहि सों त्रास भयो जग को, यह संकट काहु सों जात न टारो ॥
देवन आन करि बिनती तब, छाँड़ि दियो रबि कष्ट निवारो ।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो ॥ 1 ॥
बालि की त्रास कपीस बसै गिरि, जात महाप्रभु पंथ निहारो ।
चौंकि महा मुनि शाप दिया तब, चाहिय कौन बिचार बिचारो ॥
के द्विज रूप लिवाय महाप्रभु, सो तुम दास के शोक निवारो ।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो ॥ 2 ॥
अंगद के संग लेन गये सिय, खोज कपीस यह बैन उचारो ।
जीवत ना बचिहौ हम सो जु, बिना सुधि लाय इहाँ पगु धारो ॥
हेरि थके तट सिंधु सबै तब, लाय सिया-सुधि प्राण उबारो ।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो ॥ 3 ॥
रावन त्रास दई सिय को सब, राक्षसि सों कहि शोक निवारो ।
ताहि समय हनुमान महाप्रभु, जाय महा रजनीचर मारो ॥
चाहत सीय अशोक सों आगि सु, दै प्रभु मुद्रिका शोक निवारो ।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो ॥ 4 ॥
बाण लग्यो उर लछिमन के तब, प्राण तजे सुत रावण मारो ।
लै गृह बैद्य सुषेन समेत, तबै गिरि द्रोण सु बीर उपारो ॥
आनि सजीवन हाथ दई तब, लछिमन के तुम प्राण उबारो ।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो ॥ 5 ॥
रावण युद्ध 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 ॥ 6 ॥
बंधु समेत जबै अहिरावन, लै रघुनाथ पाताल सिधारो ।
देबिहिं पूजि भली बिधि सों बलि, देउ सबै मिति मंत्र बिचारो ॥
जाय सहाय भयो तब ही, अहिरावण सैन्य समेत सँहारो ।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो ॥ 7 ॥
काज किये बड़ देवन के तुम, वीर 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 ॥ 8 ॥
॥ दोहा ॥
लाल देह लाली लसे, अरू धरि लाल लंगूर ।
बज्र देह दानव दलन, जय जय जय कपि सूर ॥
॥ इति संकटमोचन हनुमानाष्टक सम्पूर्ण ॥
Translation —
O Bajrangbali Hanuman Ji! In your childhood, you swallowed the Sun, mistaking it for a red fruit, plunging the three worlds into darkness. This calamity spread across the entire universe, and no one could remove this crisis. Only when all the Devtas pleaded with you and you released the Sun from your mouth, did the world's suffering end. O Hanuman Ji, in the form of a monkey, who in this world does not know that you are called the destroyer of all troubles?
Maharaj Sugriva lived on the Kishkindha mountain out of fear of his elder brother Bali. When Lord Rama passed by with Lakshmana, Sugriva sent you to find them. You met Lord Rama in the guise of a Brahmin and brought him back, thus relieving Maharaj Sugriva of his troubles and alleviating his pain. O Bajrangbali, who in this world does not know that you are called the destroyer of all troubles?
When Sugriva sent the monkeys with Angad to search for Sita, he warned that they would be killed if they returned without finding her. Everyone grew despondent after searching, but you crossed the vast ocean to Lanka and found Sita, saving everyone's lives. O Bajrangbali, who in this world does not know that you are called the destroyer of all troubles?
In Ashok Vatika, Ravana harassed Sita Ji, terrifying her and instructing the demons to console her. You arrived there, defeated the demons, and when Sita Maa wished to immolate herself, you placed Lord Shri Ram's ring in her lap from the top of the Ashok tree, freeing her from grief. O Bajrangbali, who in this world does not know that you are called the destroyer of all troubles?
When Meghnath shot an arrow into Lakshman's chest, rendering him unconscious and endangering his life, you brought Vaidya Sushen and the Sanjivani herb from Drona mountain, thus saving Lakshman's life. O Mahaveer Hanuman Ji, who in this world does not know that you are called the destroyer of all troubles?
During a fierce battle, Ravana ensnared all the warriors, including Lord Shri Ram and Lakshman, in the Naag Paas. The entire monkey army, along with Shri Ram, was in trouble. Then, you brought Garuda Dev, who freed everyone from the Naag Paas. O Mahaveer Hanuman Ji, who in this world does not know that you are called the destroyer of all troubles?
When Ahiravan kidnaps Shri Ram and Lakshman and takes them to Patal Lok, he plans to sacrifice both brothers after worshipping the Goddess. You arrived just in time, rescued Lord Shri Ram, and killed Ahiravan and his army. O Bajrangbali Hanuman Ji, who in this world does not know that you are called the destroyer of all troubles?
O Mahaprabhu, the bravest of the brave, you have performed great deeds for the Lord Ram. Now look upon me and see the trouble that has befallen me, which you alone can resolve. O Mahaprabhu Hanuman Ji, please remove whatever trouble has come upon me. O Bajrangbali, who in this world does not know that you are called the destroyer of all troubles?