Sankat Mochan Hanumanashtak — Word-by-Word Meaning
संकट मोचन हनुमानाष्टक
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
बालपना
Baalpana
Childhood
दुर्गम काज
Durgam Kaaj
Difficult tasks
सवारत
Savarat
Accomplishes, completes
रबि
Rabi
The Sun
ग्रसन
Grasan
To swallow, devour
फलन की बारी
Phalan Ki Baari
Fruit garden
उमंग
Umang
Enthusiasm, excitement
धरनी
Dharni
Earth
गिरि
Giri
Mountain
मारुत नंदन
Marut Nandan
Son of the Wind God
अतुल
Atul
Immeasurable, incomparable
अंजनि पुत्र
Anjani Putra
Son of Anjani
शंकर सुवन
Shankar Suvan
Incarnation of Shiva
केसरी नंदन
Kesari Nandan
Son of Kesari
रामदूत
Ramdoot
Messenger of Lord Ram
बजरंग
Bajrang
One with thunderbolt body
दानवदलन
Danav Dalan
Crusher of demons
रणकर्म
Rankarm
Battle deeds
रजनीचर
Rajnichar
Night wanderers (demons)
दरबार
Darbar
Royal court
कीरति बिमल
Keerti Bimal
Pure fame/glory
त्रिभुवन
Tribhuvan
Three worlds
सरनागत
Sarnaagat
One who takes refuge
संकट मोचन
Sankat Mochan
Liberator from dangers
बिरद
Birad
Title, reputation
उबारो
Ubaro
Save, rescue
अगाधा
Agadha
Unfathomable, profound
कृपा
Kripa
Grace, mercy
गुरुदेव
Gurudev
Divine teacher
सुख
Sukh
Happiness, bliss
Complete Translation
In his childhood, Hanuman played with great delight. He effortlessly accomplished the most difficult tasks. In one leap, he flew towards the Sun's path. As the scriptures describe, he rushed to swallow the Sun.
In childhood, while playing, he saw a garden of fruits. With great enthusiasm, he rushed to devour them all. Pressing the earth beneath his feet, he held up mighty mountains. The son of the Wind God possesses incomparable and immeasurable strength.
Son of Anjani, the mighty one, incarnation of Lord Shiva. Son of Kesari, beloved messenger of Lord Ram. Hearing of Lanka in a foreign land, Bajrang rushed there. O Lord, brave Hanuman, I seek refuge at your feet.
Crusher of demons, terrifying in battle deeds. The night-wandering demons always tremble in fear of him. He eternally resides in the court of Sita and Ram. His pure fame shines throughout the three worlds.
He protects those who take refuge and removes their dangers. Those who remember him find their hearts filled with joy and auspiciousness. Such is Lord Hanuman, always working for the welfare of devotees. Considering my faults, O Lord, please do not turn me away.
Glory, glory, glory to Lord Hanuman! Without you, there is no other helper. O messenger of Ram, abode of immeasurable strength. By great fortune, I have found Lord Ram through you.
Son of the Wind God, mighty Bajrangi. Great hero who removes evil thoughts and companions good wisdom. Sankat Mochan (liberator from dangers) is your renowned title. O Lord, come and save me from all dangers.
Glory, glory, glory to the unfathomable Hanuman! Bestow your grace like a divine teacher. Whoever recites this a hundred times, all their dangers are removed and eternal happiness prevails.
Origin & History
Source: Composed by Tulsidas, associated with Sankat Mochan Temple, Varanasi
Author: Goswami Tulsidas
Period: 16th century CE
Tulsidas composed this ashtak at Varanasi where he is believed to have had a direct vision of Lord Hanuman. He established the famous Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple at the very spot where he experienced this divine encounter. The hymn captures Hanuman's role as the supreme remover of dangers and became the foundational prayer of this sacred temple.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sankat Mochan Hanumanashtak?▼
Sankat Mochan Hanumanashtak is an eight-verse hymn dedicated to Lord Hanuman, praising him as the 'Liberator from Dangers' (Sankat Mochan). It describes Hanuman's childhood exploits, his immense strength, his devotion to Lord Ram, and his promise to protect all devotees who seek his refuge.
Who composed the Sankat Mochan Hanumanashtak?▼
The Sankat Mochan Hanumanashtak is attributed to Goswami Tulsidas, the great 16th-century poet-saint who also composed the Hanuman Chalisa and Ramcharitmanas. It is closely associated with the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in Varanasi, which Tulsidas is believed to have established.
How many times should I recite Sankat Mochan Hanumanashtak?▼
Recite it 8 times daily for best results, as it contains 8 verses (ashtak means eight). For urgent needs, recite it 108 times. For a complete anushthana (spiritual practice), recite it daily for 40 consecutive days without break.
What is the best time to recite this prayer?▼
The best times are early morning (Brahma Muhurta) or evening during sandhya time. Tuesdays and Saturdays are especially auspicious. However, in times of danger or crisis, it can be recited at any time with sincere devotion.
Can this stotra be recited for health problems?▼
Yes, Sankat Mochan Hanumanashtak is widely recited for relief from health issues, as Hanuman is considered a healer and remover of all afflictions. Many devotees report improvement in health conditions after regular devoted recitation.
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