Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak
Remover of Troubles
Eight verses praising Hanuman as Sankat Mochan, recalling his rescues in the Ramayana, each ending in the same refrain.
Verses
Here begins the sacred hymn to Hanuman, the Remover of Distress, composed in the Mattagayanda meter, which glorifies the Lord who delivers all from affliction.
Verse 1
In your childhood, you swallowed the sun, and then all three worlds were plunged into darkness. Fear gripped the entire universe, and this calamity could not be averted by anyone. When the gods came and pleaded with you, you released the sun and relieved the suffering. Who in this world does not know that your name is Sankat Mochan, the Remover of Distress? (1)
Verse 2
When the monkey-king Sugriva, terrified of Bali, dwelt on the mountain, watching the path for the arrival of the great Lord, the great sage was startled and spoke, but you, taking the form of a brahmin, approached the Lord and dispelled the sorrow of your master. Who in this world does not know that your name is Sankat Mochan? (2)
Verse 3
When you went with Angad to search for Sita, the monkey-king declared that you would not return alive without news of her. You searched all the shores of the ocean and grew weary, but then you brought tidings of Sita and saved your life. Who in this world does not know that your name is Sankat Mochan? (3)
Verse 4
When Ravana terrorized Sita, she spoke to all the rakshasis, expressing her sorrow. At that time, O great Lord Hanuman, you went and slew the great demons. As Sita desired a fire from the ashoka grove, you gave her the ring and removed her grief. Who in this world does not know that your name is Sankat Mochan? (4)
Verse 5
When Lakshmana was struck in the chest by a mighty arrow, and his life was ebbing away after Ravana's son was slain, you brought the physician Sushena and, carrying the Dronagiri mountain, came with the life-restoring herb in your hand and saved Lakshmana's life. Who in this world does not know that your name is Sankat Mochan? (5)
Verse 6
When Ravana, in his ignorance, waged war, and you were ensnared by the serpent noose cast over your head, the entire army, including Lord Rama, was overcome with bewilderment under this great calamity. Then you brought Garuda, who cut the bonds and removed the great fear. Who in this world does not know that your name is Sankat Mochan? (6)
Verse 7
When the demon Ahiravana, along with his brother, took Lord Rama and Lakshmana to the netherworld, and after worshipping the goddess, they deliberated on offering a sacrifice to Bali, you immediately became their helper and destroyed Ahiravana together with his army. Who in this world does not know that your name is Sankat Mochan? (7)
Verse 8
You have accomplished a great deed for the gods, O mighty hero, great Lord, upon seeing and considering. What distress of mine, poor as I am, cannot be removed by you? Quickly remove, O great Hanuman, whatever calamity may befall me. Who in this world does not know that your name is Sankat Mochan? (8)
Verse 9
Your body is red, and a red radiance shines forth, and you wear a red tail. Your body is like thunderbolt, you are the destroyer of demons. Victory, victory, victory to you, O radiant monkey lord!
Verse 10
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Tuesday (Mangalwar) & Saturday (Shaniwar)
Morning Puja or Evening Twilight (Sandhya)
Sindoor, Jasmine oil, Tulsi garland, Boondi/Laddoo & Betel leaf (Paan)
- Unshakeable courage, physical vitality (Bala), and protection from evil energies
Background
This is a devotional hymn called the 'Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtakam' — an 'ashtakam' means a poem of eight verses. It is widely attributed to the 16th-century poet-saint Tulsidas, who also wrote the famous Hanuman Chalisa. The hymn is traditionally recited by Hindus, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays, or during times of difficulty, to seek Hanuman's protection and courage. Each verse recalls a different story from the ancient epic Ramayana, showing how Hanuman removed dangers and saved those in need. Most of its episodes come from the Ramayana: the Sanjivani herb and the serpent noose appear in the Yuddha Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana, while the Ahiravana story belongs to later Ramayana retellings rather than Valmiki. Sanskrit Documents catalogues the text under Goswami Tulsidas, and the attribution is traditional rather than documented.
About this Text
Composed by: Goswami Tulsidas · Medieval Bhakti Poet-Saint · 16th century, Awadh & Varanasi (North India)
A Sanskrit and Awadhi poet-saint best known for the Ramcharitmanas, his Awadhi retelling of the Ramayana. Tradition holds he faced years of hardship and wandering before settling in Varanasi, where he composed most of his other major works, including the Hanuman Chalisa and Vinaya Patrika, as devotional offerings to Rama and Hanuman.
Did You Know?
Poetic Form
This hymn is written in the Mattagayanda meter, a 23-syllable savaiya pattern (seven bhagana feet plus two long syllables per line) whose name means 'elephant in rut', giving the verses a majestic, swaying gait. It is an ashtakam (a set of eight verses), each ending with the same refrain praising Hanuman as the 'remover of distress'.
The Refrain's Meaning
The line repeated at the end of every verse — 'Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein, kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro' — translates to 'Who in this world does not know that your name is the Remover of Distress, O Monkey?' This refrain anchors the entire composition, reminding listeners that Hanuman's primary identity is as the one who dissolves all troubles.
Verse 1 — The Sun Incident
The first verse recalls the famous childhood episode where Hanuman, mistaking the rising sun for a fruit, swallowed it, plunging the three worlds into darkness. The gods pleaded with him to release it, and he did — establishing his role as a problem-solver from the very beginning.
Verse 2 - Sugriva and Rama
This verse recalls Sugriva living in fear of his brother Vali on Rishyamukha mountain, and Hanuman disguising himself as a Brahmin to bring Rama and Lakshmana to him - the meeting that began their alliance. The 'curse of a great sage' in the verse is traditionally read as the old curse that kept Vali away from that mountain.
Verse 5 — The Sanjivani Herb
This verse describes the moment when Lakshmana was struck by a deadly arrow and was near death. Hanuman flew to the Himalayas, uprooted the entire Mount Dronagiri containing the Sanjivani life-restoring herb, and brought it back to the battlefield, saving Lakshmana's life.
Verse 6 — The Serpent Noose
In the great war, Ravana used a magical serpent-weapon to bind Rama, Lakshmana, and the entire monkey army in a trance. Hanuman summoned Garuda, the divine eagle-king and the natural enemy of serpents, who instantly freed everyone — showing Hanuman's wisdom in calling the right help at the right moment.
Verse 7 — The Ahiravana Episode
This verse recounts the lesser-known but dramatic story of Ahiravana, a demon king of the underworld who kidnapped Rama and Lakshmana. Hanuman followed them into the netherworld, worshipped the goddess, and single-handedly destroyed Ahiravana and his army, rescuing both brothers from a sacrificial altar.
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