भवान्यष्टकम्
BHAVĀNYASͅTͅAKAM
Bhavani is the amiable form of Mother Goddess as Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. Parvati is the daughter of King of Himalayas Himvan and Maina. Parvati literally means she who is born of mountain (Parvat). She undertook great penance to be Shiva’s wife. Lord Kartikeya (also known as Murugun or Skanda) and Lord Ganesha are her sons. Parvati is commonly depicted as benevolent, fair skinned, and in red clothes. Other forms of Shakti such as Durga, Kali, Matangi, etc originate from Her.
Bhavani is the mother of all creation and thus, is a manifestation of kindness, love, compassion, mercy and nurture. Bhavani protects her devotees and takes care of their needs, just like a mother looks after her baby. While invoking the ferocious forms of Shakti is very difficult without guidance of proper teacher because handling that energy is not easy, praying to Her as a child would call out her/his mother is simple. Mother knows exactly what and when her child needs. In the Bhavanyashtakam written by Adi Shankaracharya, the devotee calls upon the Divine Mother as the last refuge, and prays for Her shelter. Chanting this hymn invokes the sense of absolute surrender to the Divine which is the most vital requirement of the spiritual life.
न तातो न माता न बन्धुर्न दाता न पुत्रो न पुत्री न भृत्यो न भर्ता । न जाया न विद्या न वृत्तिर्ममैव गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानी ।।1।।
Na tātō na mātā na bandhurna dātā Na putrō na putrī na bhrͅtyō na bhartā । Na jāyā na vidyā na vrͅttirmamaiva Gatistvam Gatistvam tvamēkā Bhavānī ।।1।।
Neither father nor mother neither brother nor giver Neither son nor daughter neither servant nor lord Neither wealth nor knowledge nor livelihood – I have none You are my only refuge Bhavānī.
भवाब्धावपारे महादुःखभीरुः पपात प्रकामी प्रलोभी प्रमत्तः । कुसंसारपाशप्रबद्धः सदाहं गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानी ।।2।।
Bhavābdhāvapārē mahāduhͅkhbhīruhͅ papāta prakāmī pralōbhī pramattahͅ । kusansārapās̒aprabaddhahͅ sadāham Gatistvam Gatistvam tvamēkā Bhavānī ।।2।। In the ocean of worldly affairs very sorrowful and scared (I am) fallen, indulgent, greedy, egotistical always in the cruel bondage of the world You are my only refuge Bhavānī.
न जानामि दानं न च ध्यानयोगं न जानामि तन्त्रं न च स्तोत्रमन्त्रम् । न जानामि पूजां न च न्यासयोगमम् गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानी ।।3।।
Na jānāmi dānam na ca dhyānayogam Na jānāmitantram na ca stotramantram । Na jānāmi pūjām na ca nyāsayogam Gatistvam Gatistvam tvamēkā Bhavānī ।।3।। I know neither charity nor meditation-yog neither tantra nor hymn and mantra Neither worship nor nyas-yog You are my only refuge Bhavānī.
न जानामि पुण्यं न जानामि तीर्थं न जानामि मुक्तिं लयं वा कदाचित् । न जानामि भक्तिं व्रतं वापि मातः गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानी ।।4।।
Na jānāmi punͅyam Na jānāmi tīrtham Na jānāmi muktim layam vā kadācit । Na jānāmi bhaktim vratam vāpi mātahͅ Gatistvam Gatistvam tvamēkā Bhavānī ।।4।। I know neither virtuous deeds nor pilgrimage neither salvation nor assimilation at all. Neither devotion nor votive O! Mother You are my only refuge Bhavānī.
कुकर्मी कुसंगी कुबुद्धिः कुदासः कुलाचारहीनः कदाचारलीनः । कुदृष्टिः कुवाक्यप्रबन्धः सदाहम् गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानी ।।5।।
Kukarmī kusangī kubudhihͅ kudāsahͅ kulācārahīnahͅ kadācāralīnahͅ । kudrͅstͅihͅ kuvākyaprabandhahͅ sadāham Gatistvam Gatistvam tvamēkā Bhavānī ।।5।। (I am) wrongdoer, (have) bad company, inappropriate intelligence, (am) bad servant violator of ethical behavior, indulged in misconduct . (have) improper perception, improper expression You are my only refuge Bhavānī .
प्रजेशं रमेशं महेशं सुरेशं दिनेशं निशीथेश्वरं वा कदाचित् । न जानामि चान्यत् सदाहं शरण्ये गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानी ।।6।।
Prajēs̒am Ramēs̒am Mahēs̒am Surēs̒am Dinēs̒am nis̒īthēs̄varam vā kadācit । na jānāmi cānyat sadāham s̄aranͅye Gatistvam Gatistvam tvamēkā Bhavānī ।।6।। Brahma Vishnu Shiva Indra Sun Moon I know none, I am forever in your shelter You are my only refuge Bhavānī .
विवादे विषादे प्रमादे प्रवासे जले चानले पर्वते शत्रुमध्ये । अरण्ये शरण्ये सदा मां प्रपाहि गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानी ।।7।।
Vivādē vis̒ādē pramādē pravāsē jalē cānalē parvatē s̒atrumadhyē । aranͅyē s̒aranͅyē sadā mām prapāhi Gatistvam Gatistvam tvamēkā Bhavānī ।।7।। In conflict, dejection, laxity, travel water, fire, mountains and amidst enemies In forest – I am always in your shelter You are my only refuge Bhavānī .
अनाथो दरिद्रो जरारोगयुक्तो महाक्षीणदीनः सदा जाड्यवक्त्रः । विपत्तौ प्रविष्टः प्रणष्टः सदाहं गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानी ।।8।।
anāthō daridrō jarārōgayuktō mahāksīnͅadīnahͅ sadā jādͅyavaktrahͅ । vipattau pravisͅtͅahͅ pranͅasͅtͅahͅ sadāham Gatistvam Gatistvam tvamēkā Bhavānī ।।8।। (I am) an orphan, deprived, ageing, sick very fragile, helpless, dumb Ever in trouble,wrecked You are my only refuge Bhavānī.
इति श्रीमच्छंकराचार्यकृतं भवान्यष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ।
Iti S̒rīmacchaṅkarācāryakrͅtam Bhavānyasͅtͅakam sampūrnͅam.