Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak - Complete meaning and benefits of chanting

The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak is a revered hymn composed by the great saint and poet Tulsidas, praising the divine attributes of Lord Hanuman, the remover of obstacles. Consisting of eight verses, the stotra describes Hanuman as the savior from afflictions and adversities, capable of dispelling all fears and troubles. Devotees chant the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak to seek Hanuman's blessings for overcoming challenges, obtaining protection from evil forces, and attaining spiritual liberation.

Stotra

॥ hanumānāṣhṭak ॥

Bāl samaya ravi bhakṣhī liyo taba,
Tīnahuan lok bhayo aandhiyāroan ।
Tāhi soan trās bhayo jag ko,
Yah sankaṭ kāhu soan jāt n ṭāro ।
Devan āni karī binatī taba,
Chhāḍa़ī diyo ravi kaṣhṭa nivāro ।
Ko nahīan jānat hai jag mean kapi,
Sankaṭamochan nām tihāro ॥ 1 ॥

Bāli kī trās kapīs basaian giri,
Jāt mahāprabhu pantha nihāro ।
Chauanki mahāmuni sāp diyo taba,
Chāhie kaun bichār bichāro ।
Kaidvij rūp livāya mahāprabhu,
So tum dās ke sok nivāro ॥ 2 ॥

Aangad ke sanga len gae siya,
Khoj kapīs yah bain uchāro ।
Jīvat nā bachihau ham so ju,
Binā sudhi lāye ihāँ pagu dhāro ।
Herī thake taṭ sindhu sabai taba,
Lāe siyā-sudhi prāṇ ubāro ॥ 3 ॥

Rāvaṇ trās daī siya ko saba,
Rākṣhasī soan kahī sok nivāro ।
Tāhi samaya hanumān mahāprabhu,
Jāe mahā rajanīchar māro ।
Chāhat sīya asok soan āgi su,
Dai prabhumudrikā sok nivāro ॥ 4 ॥

Bān lagyo ur lachhiman ke taba,
Prāṇ taje sut rāvan māro ।
Lai gṛuh baidya suṣhen sameta,
Tabai giri droṇ su bīr upāro ।
Āni sajīvan hāth daī taba,
Lachhiman ke tum prān ubāro ॥ 5 ॥

Rāvan yuddha ajān kiyo taba,
Nāg ki fāँs sabai sir ḍāro ।
Shrīraghunāth samet sabai dala,
Moh bhayo yah sankaṭ bhāro I
Āni khages tabai hanumān ju,
Bandhan kāṭi sutrās nivāro ॥ 6 ॥

Bandhu samet jabai ahirāvana,
Lai raghunāth patāl sidhāro ।
Debihian pūji bhali vidhi soan bali,
Deu sabai mili mantra vichāro ।
Jāya sahāya bhayo tab hī,
Ahirāvan sainya samet sanhāro ॥ 7 ॥

Kāj kiye baḍa़ devan ke tuma,
Bīr mahāprabhu dekhi bichāro ।
Kaun so sankaṭ mor garīb ko,
Jo tumase nahian jāt hai ṭāro ।
Begi haro hanumān mahāprabhu,
Jo kachhu sankaṭ hoya hamāro ॥ 8 ॥

Stotra with meaning

Baal samai ravi bhakshi liyo tab, teenahu loka bhayo andhiyaro |
Taahi so traas bhayo jag ko, yah sankat kaahu so jaat na taaro |
Dewan aani kari bintee tab, chaadhi diyo ravi kasht niwaaro ||
Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro||1||
Meaning - During childhood when YOU attempted to engulf SUN (considering it to be a fruit), you fell and the world was filled with sorrow as you were the ray of hope to them. As expected YOU recovered from the disease afflicted by Sun (रवि कष्ट),hence lifted the will of the people in the Earth. Who does not know in this world that YOUR name is Sankat Mochan Hanuman (remover of obstacles) who removes ignorance (darkness) by his light (knowledge).

Baali ki traas kapees basai giri, jaat mahaaprabhu panth nihaaro |
Chownki mahaa muni saap diyo tab chahiy kaun bichaar bichaaro |
Kai dwij roop liwaay mahaa prabhu so tum daas ke sok niwaaro ||
Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tiharo ||2||
Meaning - YOU were protecting Sugriva from Bali by asking him to live in a mountain,
where Bali was not allowed to enter due to the curse of ‘Chauki saint’.
(When Shri Ram was searching Sita along with Lakshman),Sugriva doubted that they were searching Sugriva as instructed by Bali, Then YOU disguised as a Brahmin,met Shri Ram and even HE killed Bali eventually. So YOU relieved a devotee (Sugriva) of his sorrow. Who does not know in this world that YOUR name is Sankat Mochan Hanuman (remover of obstacles) who removes ignorance (darkness) by his light (knowledge).

Angad ke sang lain gaye siya, khoj kapees yah baain uchaaro |
jeevat na bachihau hum son ju, bina sudhi laay ehaan pagu dhaaro |
Hayri thake tatt sindhu sabaai tab laay siya-sudhi praan ubaaro ||
Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tiharo ||3||
Meaning - YOU went with Angad and others to fetch the information of Sita,
At the sea -coast when rejoined, Angad said,”We will not remain alive if we returned without Sita’s information.” All became dead tired there and then YOU brought the required information of Sita.
Hence saved the life of the entire army. Who does not know in this world that YOUR name is Sankat Mochan Hanuman (remover of obstacles) who removes ignorance (darkness) by his light (knowledge).

Raavan traas dayee siya ko sab, raakshashi so kahi sok nivaaro |
Taahi samay hanuman mahaprabhu, Jaay mahaa rajneechar maaro ||
Chaahat seeya asoka so aagi su, dai prabhu mudrika soka nivaaro ||
Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro ||4||
Meaning - When Ravan was tormenting Sita by instructing his female maids who were caretaker at Ashok Vatika to trouble her, YOU reached that very moment and killed many enemies. When out of trouble Sita asked fire from the nature (Ashok tree), YOU gave Shri Ram’s ring to Sita and delivered the message of Shri Ram. Hence YOU gave new life to SITA by giving her hope which in turn boosted her confidence.
Who does not know in this world that YOUR name is Sankat Mochan Hanuman (remover of obstacles)
who removes ignorance (darkness) by his light (knowledge).

Baan lagyo ur lakshiman ke tab, praan taje sut raavan maaro |
Lai griha baidya sushen samet, tabai giri dron su beer upaaro |
Aani sajeewan hath dayee taba lakshiman ke tum praan upaaro|
Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro||5||
Meaning - When an arrow of Meghnath struck deep in the heart of Lakshman,
YOU brought ‘Sushen Vaidya’ along with his home who asked YOU to bring ‘Sanjeevani herb’
which YOU finally brought along with ’Dron mountain’and YOU revived Lakshman. Hence YOU saved the life of Lakshman by giving him a new life. Who does not know in this world that YOUR name is Sankat Mochan Hanuman (remover of obstacles) who removes ignorance (darkness) by his light (knowledge).

Raavan yudh ajaan kiyo tab, naag ki phaas sabhi sir daaro |
Sri Raghunath samet sabai dal, moh bhayo yah sankat bhaaro |
Aani khagesh tabai hanumaan ju, bandhan kaati sutraas nivaaro |
Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tiharo ||6||
Meaning - When Ravan attacked the Shri Ram army by tieing them by snakes at night when all were in deep sleep, the whole army including Shri Ram were in deep trouble.
Then YOU brought Gaduda (the big eagle) to save the entire army.
Hence YOU saved the entire army including the life of Shri Ram.
Who does not know in this world that YOUR name is Sankat Mochan Hanuman (remover of obstacles)
who removes ignorance (darkness) by his light (knowledge).

Bandhu samet jabai ahiraavan, lai raghunath pataal sidhaaro |
Devhi puji bhalee vidhi so bali, deu sabai mili mantra vichaaro |
Jaay sahaay bhayo tab hi ahiraavan sainya samet sanhaaro |
Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro ||7||
Meaning - When Ahiravan along with his brother kidnapped Shri Ram and Lakshman to Paatal (netherworld), when they were almost finished with the rituals to go for human sacrifice, YOU appeared before them and killed Ahiravan.
Hence YOU saved the lives of Shri Ram and Lakshman again.
Who does not know in this world that YOUR name is Sankat Mochan Hanuman (remover of obstacles)
who removes ignorance (darkness) by his light (knowledge).

Kaaj kiye barh dewan kei tum, beer mahaaprabhu dekhi bichaaro |
Kaun so sankat mohin gareeb ko, jo tumso nahin jaat hai taaro |
Begi haro hanumaan mahaprabhu jo kuch sankat hoya hamaaro |
Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tiharo ||8||
Meaning - YOU have done great deeds for the Gods/Goddess and even for the Almighty Shri Ram,
O My Lord! Give me a kind glance, and tell (notify) me which obstacles are not removed by your glance,
(for your glance can provide me the real dedication and patience to do any impossible task even)
O My Lord! I ask you to remove any obstacle as you are my guru.
Who does not know in this world that YOUR name is Sankat Mochan Hanuman (remover of obstacles)
who removes ignorance (darkness) by his light (knowledge).

Benefits of chanting Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak

Chanting or listening to the Hanuman Ashtak is believed to have several benefits, including:
1. Inner strength, courage, and determination to overcome challenges in life.
2. Protection from evil forces, negative energies, and adversities
4. Removal of obstacles (Vighnaharta)
5. Promote physical well-being, mental clarity, and emotional balance.
6. Blessings of Lord Rama
7. Resolving past sins and wrong doings

Who can chant Hanuman Ashtak & When to chant?
The Hanuman Ashtak can be chanted by anyone who has reverence and devotion towards Lord Hanuman. There are no restrictions based on age, gender, or caste. Whether you are a devout follower of Hinduism or someone seeking spiritual connection, you can chant the Hanuman Ashtak with sincerity and devotion.

As for when to chant the Hanuman Ashtak, there are no strict rules regarding timing. However, a few days are considered very special -

Tuesday: Tuesday is considered especially auspicious for worshipping Lord Hanuman. Devotees often chant Hanuman Stotra on Tuesdays to seek his blessings and protection.
Hanuman Jayanti: This is the birthday of Lord Hanuman, which falls on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra (usually in March or April). Chanting Hanuman Stotra on this day is considered highly meritorious.

How to chant the stotram?
Before chanting the Hanuman Ashtak, here are some traditional practices that devotees may follow to prepare for a more focused and meaningful experience:
Inner Cleanliness: Take a bath or wash your hands and face to feel physically clean. This can symbolize inner purification as well.
Peaceful Environment: Find a quiet, clean space free from distractions where you can focus on the chanting.
Simple Attire: Wear comfortable and clean clothes that allow you to sit comfortably.
Devotional Mindset: Approach the chanting with reverence and devotion to Lord Hanuman. Set an intention for your chanting, whether it's seeking protection, peace, or spiritual growth.
Prayer (Optional): You can offer a short prayer to Lord Hanuman before chanting, expressing your gratitude and seeking his blessings.