The Hanuman Ashtak (Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak) is a devotional hymn in eight verses, each ending with the same refrain: “Ko nahi jaanata hai jaga may, kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro” — “Who in this world does not know you, O monkey, your name is Sankat Mochan (remover of troubles).” Each verse recalls a specific episode from Hanuman’s life when he rescued others from danger.
The Eight Verses
Verse 1 — Swallowing the Sun
Baala samai ravi bhaksha liyo, taba teenahu loka bhayo andhiyaaro
Taahi so traasa bhayo jaga-ko, yaha sankata kaahu so jaata na taaro
Dewan-aani kari binatee, taba chaari diyo ravi kashta niwaaro
Ko nahi jaanata hai jaga may, kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro
As a child, Hanuman swallowed the sun, plunging all three worlds into darkness. The world was gripped with dread that no one could relieve this crisis. The gods came and prayed, and then by releasing the sun, you removed the calamity. Who in this world does not know you, O Sankat Mochan Hanuman?
Verse 2 — The Brahmin’s Disguise
Baali ki traasa kapeesa basai giri jaata mahaa prabhu pantha nihaaro
Chownkee maha muni sraapa diyo, taba chaahiyay kowna bichaar bichaaro
Lai dwija roopa liwaaya mahaa, prabhu so tuma daasa kay shoka niwaaro
Ko nahi jaanata hai jaga may kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro
Terrified of Bali, Sugriv lived in the mountain, watching the great lord pass by on the path. A great sage had given a curse — what thought was needed then? Taking the form of a Brahmin, you brought the great lord and removed your servant’s sorrow. Who in this world does not know you?
Verse 3 — Finding Sita
Angad kay sanga layna gayay, siya khoja kapisha yaha baina uchaaro
Jeewata-na bachihow hum-so, jubina sudhi laayi-ihaa paga dhaaro
Hayri thaki tatta sindhu sabai, taba laayi siyaa sudhi praana ubaaro
Ko nahi jaanata hai jaga may kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro
Going with Angad to search for Sita, the king of monkeys uttered these words: “We will not survive unless we bring news of Sita, let no one return.” All the shore of the ocean was searched in exhaustion, and then by bringing news of Sita, you saved their lives. Who in this world does not know you?
Verse 4 — Comforting Sita
Rawana traasa-dayi siya ko, saba raakshashi so kahi shoka nivaaro
Taahi samaya hanumana mahaa prabhu, jaaya mahaaraj nicharamaaro
Chaahita-siya ashoka so-aagi, soo-dai prabhu mudrika soka niwaaro
Ko nahi jaanata hai jaga may kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro
Ravana was tormenting Sita, and the demonesses were giving her more sorrow. At that moment, O great Hanuman, you went and killed the demon king’s men. Sita wished to enter the fire at the Ashoka grove; giving her Lord Ram’s ring, you removed her sorrow. Who in this world does not know you?
Verse 5 — Reviving Lakshman
Baanlagyo ura Laksmana kay, taba praana tajay suta rawana maaro
Lai-graha vaidya sushen sameta, tabahi giri drona su beera ubaaro
Aani sanjeewana haatha dayay, taba lakshkmana kay tuma praana ubaaro
Ko nahi jaanata hai jaga may kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro
An arrow struck Lakshman’s chest, and he was about to give up his life, having slain Ravana’s son. Bringing the physician Sushen along with the Drona mountain, O hero, you then revived him. Bringing the Sanjeevani herb in your hand, you restored Lakshman’s life. Who in this world does not know you?
Verse 6 — Breaking the Serpent Bond
Rawana juddha ajaana kiyo, taba naaga ki phaasa sabai sira daaro
Sri Raghunatha sameta sabai, dala-moha bhayo yaha sankat bhaaro
Aani khagesha tabai hanumana-ju, bandhana kaati sutraasa niwaaro
Ko nahi jaanata hai jaga may kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro
Ravana fought cunningly, throwing serpent nooses around everyone’s necks. Shri Raghunath and all his army fell unconscious — this was a great crisis. Then, O Hanuman, you brought Garuda the eagle king, who cut the bindings and removed the terrible fear. Who in this world does not know you?
Verse 7 — Ahiravana
Bandhu sameta jabai Ahirawana, lay raghunatha pataala sidhaaro
Devihi puji bhali vidhi, so-bali daywu sabai mili mantra vichaaro
Jaayi sahaayi bhayo tabahi, ahi-rawana sainya samet sanghaaro
Ko nahi jaanata hai jaga may kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro
When Ahiravana took Ram and his brothers to the underworld, the assembled beings planned a sacrificial offering to the goddess. Going there as helper, you then destroyed Ahiravana along with his entire army. Who in this world does not know you?
Note: The source text reads “jabai—ahirawana” with an em dash. Preserved as found; may be a transcription artifact. FLAG FOR REVIEW.
Verse 8 — Petition
Kaaja kiyay bara daywana kay, tuma beera mahaa prabhu dekhi bichaaro
Kowna so sankata mora gariba, ko-jo tuuma so nahin jaata hai taaro
Baygi haro hanumana maha prabhu, so-kachu sankat hoya hamaaro
Ko nahi jaanata hai jaga may kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro
O great hero, you have performed great deeds for the gods — consider this. What difficulty of a poor wretch like me is there that you cannot remove? Quickly remove, O great Hanuman, whatever trouble we have. Who in this world does not know you?
Closing Verses
Laal Deha Laalee Lasay, Aru Dhari Laala Langoora
Bajra Deha Daanawa Dalana, Jai Jai Jai kapi Soora
His red body shines with redness, and he wears a red tail. Body hard as thunderbolt, destroyer of demons — hail, hail, hail to the heroic monkey.
Siya Pati Ramachandra ki jai
Pawana Sut Hanuman ki jai
Uma Pati Mahadeo ki jai
Related Prayers
- Hanuman Chalisa — the complete 40-verse prayer by Tulsidas
- Hanuman Aarti — the concluding aarti of puja
- Bajrang Baan — prayer for times of acute crisis
- Aarti & Chalisa — all Hanuman prayers