Bhavani Ashtakam

Jagat Guru Adi Shankaracharya has penned down Bhavani Ashtakam भवान्यष्टकं. The beautiful composition dedicated to the feet of Maa Bhagvati. This strota Bhavani Ashtakam is not only divine but fills one with devotion and love.

The story behind Bhavani Ashtakam

The story behind writing Bhvanyashtkam goes like this. As we all know Adi Shankara was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. Though, he wrote many verses in praise of Lord Shiva but not written anything about Bhagvati.

Once so happened that he fell sick and felt extremely thirsty. But he was so weak to get himself the glass of water. At that moment although Mata came but did not help him. Therefore, he asked why she is not curing him. Then Mata Bhavani replied where is your Lord Shiva in whose praise you wrote so many poems. Ask Lord Shiva for help. Finally, Adi Shankara realized his mistake that nectar of devotion should reach to Shakti worshippers also. Therefore, he wrote this enchanting Bhavani Ashtakam.

The Bhavani Ashtakam has eight verses in praise of Maa Bhavani who is ferocious yet filled with mercy. Moreover, Maa Bhavani grants power, health and wealth whoever read this strota with love and complete devotion.

|| Bhavani Ashtakam ||

Na taato na maata na bandhur-na daata
Na putro na putrii na bhrityo na bharta |
Na jaayaa na vidyaa na vrittiir-mamaiv
Gatis-tvam gatis-tvam tvame-kaa Bhavaanii ||1||

Bhavaabdhaav-paare mahaa-duhkh-bhiiru
Papaat prakaamii pralobhii pramattah |
Ku-sansaar-paash-prabaddhah sadaaham
Gatis-tvam gatis-tvam tvamekaa Bhavaanii ||2||

Na jaanaamii daanam na cha dhyaan-yogam
Na jaanaamii tantram na cha stotra-mantram |
Na jaanaamii puujaam na cha nyaas-yogam
Gatis-tvam gatis-tvam tvamekaa Bhavaanii ||3||

Na jaanaamii punnyam na jaanaamii tiirth
Na jaanaamii muktiim layam vaa kadaachit |
Na jaanaamii bhakitim vratam vaapii maatarg-atiis-tvam
Gatis-tvam gatis-tvam tvamekaa Bhavaanii ||4||

Ku-karmii ku-sanggii ku-buddhiih kudaasah
Kulaachaar-hiinah kadaachaar-liinah |
Ku-drissttiih ku-vaakya-prabandhah sadaham
Gatis-tvam gatis-tvam tvamekaa Bhavaanii ||5||

Prajesham Ramesham Mahesham Suresham
Dinesham nishiitheshvaram vaa kadaachiit |
Na jaanaamii chaanyat sadaham sharannye
Gatis-tvam gatis-tvam tvamekaa Bhavaanii ||6||

Vivaade vishaade pramaade pravaase
Jale chaanale parvate shatru-madhye |
Arannye sharannye sadaa maam prapaahii
Gatis-tvam gatis-tvam tvamekaa Bhavaanii ||7||

Anaatho daridro jaraa-rog-yukto
Mahaa-kssiinn-diinah sadaa jaaddya-vaktrah |
Vipattau pravishttah pranashttah sadaaham
Gatis-tvam gatis-tvam tvamekaa Bhavaanii ||8||

|| भवानीष्टकम् ||

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॥

भवाब्धावपारे महादुःखभीरु 
पपात प्रकामी प्रलोभी प्रमत्तः ।
कुसंसारपाशप्रबद्धः सदाहं 
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥२॥

न जानामि दानं न च ध्यानयोगं 
न जानामि तन्त्रं न च स्तोत्रमन्त्रम् ।
न जानामि पूजां न च न्यासयोगं 
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥३॥

न जानामि पुण्यं न जानामि तीर्थ 
न जानामि मुक्तिं लयं वा कदाचित् ।
न जानामि भक्तिं व्रतं वापि मातर्गतिस्त्वं 
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥४॥

कुकर्मी कुसङ्गी कुबुद्धिः कुदासः 
कुलाचारहीनः कदाचारलीनः ।
कुदृष्टिः कुवाक्यप्रबन्धः सदाहं 
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥५॥

प्रजेशं रमेशं महेशं सुरेशं 
दिनेशं निशीथेश्वरं वा कदाचित् ।
न जानामि चान्यत् सदाहं शरण्ये 
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥६॥

विवादे विषादे प्रमादे प्रवासे 
जले चानले पर्वते शत्रुमध्ये ।
अरण्ये शरण्ये सदा मां प्रपाहि 
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥७॥

अनाथो दरिद्रो जरारोगयुक्तो 
महाक्षीणदीनः सदा जाड्यवक्त्रः ।
विपत्तौ प्रविष्टः प्रनष्टः सदाहं 
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥८॥

Click the link to listen beautiful compostion Bhavani Ashtakam – Bhavya Ganapathi – ‘Vande Guru Paramparaam’