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Hanuman Ashtak (Sankat Mochan): Meaning of All 8 Verses and Benefits
The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak is an eight-verse hymn, traditionally attributed to Tulsidas, that recalls Hanuman's rescues in the Ramayana. Here is what each verse means and how to recite it.
Hanuman Ashtak, also called Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak, is an eight-verse hymn in Awadhi praising Hanuman as the “remover of troubles”. Each verse recalls a Ramayana crisis Hanuman resolved and ends with the same refrain. Traditionally attributed to Tulsidas, it is recited on Tuesdays, Saturdays and in difficult times.
The word ashtak means “a hymn of eight verses”.
Hanuman Ashtak at a glance
| Full name | Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak (संकटमोचन हनुमानाष्टक) |
| Language | Awadhi |
| Attributed to | Goswami Tulsidas (16th century) |
| Structure | 8 verses (savaiya metre) and a closing doha |
| Theme | Hanuman’s rescues in the Ramayana; a plea to remove the devotee’s own trouble |
| Best days | Tuesday, Saturday, Hanuman Jayanti |
| Often recited with | Hanuman Chalisa, Bajrang Baan |
The refrain
Every verse ends with the line that gives the hymn its power:
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो ॥
Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein, kapi sankat mochan naam tiharo
Meaning: “Who in the world does not know, O Monkey-lord, that your name is the Remover of Troubles?”
The refrain turns each story into an argument: you saved them all — surely you will save me too.
Verse-by-verse meaning
The meanings below summarise each verse. For full recitation, use a reliable printed text, as wording varies slightly between editions.
| Verse | Opening words | Episode | Meaning in brief |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baal samay ravi bhakshi liyo | Hanuman swallows the sun | As a child Hanuman swallowed the sun, plunging the three worlds into darkness. The gods pleaded, and he released it, ending their fear. |
| 2 | Baali ki traas kapees basai giri | Sugriva’s fear of Bali | Sugriva lived hiding on a mountain in terror of his brother Bali. Hanuman, in the guise of a Brahmin, brought Rama to him, and Sugriva’s sorrow ended. |
| 3 | Angad ke sang lain gaye siya | The search for Sita | Searching for Sita with Angad, the monkeys despaired and were ready to die. Hanuman crossed the ocean, found Sita and saved them all. |
| 4 | Ravan traas dai siya ko sab | Sita in Ashoka Vatika | Ravana tormented Sita and ordered the demonesses to frighten her. Hanuman appeared, gave her Rama’s ring and destroyed the demons who troubled her. |
| 5 | Baan lagyo ur Lachhiman ke | Lakshmana struck down | When Lakshmana was struck in the chest and lay near death, Hanuman brought the physician Sushena with his house and carried the mountain of healing herbs, saving his life. |
| 6 | Ravan judh ajaan kiyo tab | The serpent noose | In battle, Rama and his army were bound by a noose of serpents. Hanuman brought Garuda, who freed them. |
| 7 | Bandhu samet jabai Ahiravan | Ahiravana’s abduction | The sorcerer Ahiravana carried Rama and Lakshmana to the underworld to sacrifice them. Hanuman followed, killed Ahiravana and his army, and brought the brothers back. |
| 8 | Kaaj kiye bad devan ke tum | The devotee’s plea | “You accomplished the great works of the gods. What trouble of mine is so great that you cannot remove it? Remove it quickly, Lord.” |
Episodes 1–6 have roots in the Valmiki Ramayana and the Ramcharitmanas; the Ahiravana story of verse 7 comes from later regional Ramayana traditions. For more of these episodes, see stories of Hanuman.
The closing doha
लाल देह लाली लसे, अरु धरि लाल लँगूर । बज्र देह दानव दलन, जय जय जय कपि सूर ॥
Laal deh laali lase, aru dhari laal langoor Bajra deh daanav dalan, jai jai jai kapi soor
Meaning: “Your body glows red, and red is your tail. With a body hard as a thunderbolt, you crush the demons — victory, victory, victory to the heroic Monkey-lord!”
The red colour recalls the sindoor offered to Hanuman. A popular story says that when Hanuman saw Sita wearing sindoor for Rama’s long life, he covered his whole body in it out of devotion.
How to recite Hanuman Ashtak
- Prepare. Bathe, sit before an image of Hanuman or Rama, and light a ghee or sesame-oil lamp.
- Offer. Red flowers, sindoor or a little jaggery and roasted gram are traditional.
- Begin with Rama. Chant Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram a few times, since Hanuman is above all Rama’s devotee.
- Recite the Chalisa first if you can, then the Ashtak.
- Read slowly. Let each verse recall its story; pause on the refrain.
- State your trouble honestly in your own words after verse 8.
- Close with the doha and an aarti such as the Hanuman aarti.
Many devotees recite it once daily, or 11 times on a Tuesday for a specific intention. See also the Tuesday Hanuman puja guide.
Benefits devotees describe
- Courage in a crisis. Remembering eight rescues builds trust that a way through exists.
- Focus in prayer. The refrain gives the mind a steady anchor.
- Humility and hope. The hymn treats every trouble, however big, as small before Hanuman.
These are devotional experiences. Prayer can steady the mind; it is not a substitute for medical care, legal advice or practical action.
Hanuman Ashtak, Chalisa and Bajrang Baan compared
| Hanuman Chalisa | Hanuman Ashtak | Bajrang Baan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 40 chaupais + dohas | 8 verses + doha | About 40 lines |
| Tone | Praise of qualities and deeds | Recalling rescues; plea for help | Urgent invocation |
| Typical use | Daily | Tuesdays, Saturdays, difficulties | Serious difficulties |
For short mantras to pair with the Ashtak, see powerful Hanuman mantras.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hanuman Ashtak?
Hanuman Ashtak, also called Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak, is an eight-verse Awadhi hymn praising Hanuman as the remover of troubles (sankat mochan). Each verse recalls a crisis in the Ramayana that Hanuman resolved and ends with the same refrain. It closes with a short doha and is traditionally attributed to Tulsidas.
What is the refrain of Hanuman Ashtak?
Each verse ends with 'Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein, kapi sankat mochan naam tiharo' — 'Who in the world does not know, O Monkey-lord, that your name is the Remover of Troubles?'
Who wrote Hanuman Ashtak?
Hanuman Ashtak is traditionally attributed to Goswami Tulsidas, the 16th-century poet of the Ramcharitmanas and the Hanuman Chalisa. Some scholars doubt the attribution, as it is not found in the earliest collections of his work, but the hymn has been recited in his name for centuries.
When should you read Hanuman Ashtak?
It is most often recited on Tuesdays and Saturdays, on Hanuman Jayanti, and in times of difficulty. Many devotees read it after the Hanuman Chalisa, during morning or evening prayers, after bathing and before a lamp.
What are the benefits of reading Hanuman Ashtak?
Devotees recite it for courage, protection and the strength to face problems, trusting Hanuman's grace as they did in the Ramayana. Its benefits are devotional and psychological — calm, faith and resolve — and it should accompany, not replace, practical action and professional help.
What is the difference between Hanuman Ashtak and Hanuman Chalisa?
The Hanuman Chalisa has forty chaupais and praises Hanuman's qualities and deeds broadly. The Hanuman Ashtak has eight longer verses, each focused on one rescue, and repeatedly asks Hanuman to remove the devotee's own trouble. Both are in Awadhi and are traditionally attributed to Tulsidas.