Bhavani Ashtakam

Bhavani Ashtakam is an eight-verse hymn of surrender to the Goddess, traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, and the closing colophon of this text names him as its author. Every verse ends with the same line, "gatis tvam gatis tvam tvam eka bhavani": you are my refuge, you alone, Bhavani. The hymn says almost nothing about the Goddess's form or deeds. It is entirely the voice of a devotee who admits he has nothing to offer.

Verse by verse

Verse 1: Father, mother, relative, patron, son, daughter, servant, master, wife, learning, livelihood: none of these is truly mine. You alone are my refuge.

Verse 2: I have fallen into the shoreless ocean of worldly life, fearful of sorrow, full of desire and greed, bound by the noose of a bad existence.

Verses 3 and 4: I know nothing of charity, meditation, tantra, hymns or mantras, worship or nyasa. I know nothing of merit, pilgrimage, liberation, devotion or vows.

Verse 5: The devotee openly confesses bad deeds, bad company, a bad mind, neglect of family custom and harsh speech.

Verse 6: I have not taken refuge in Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Indra, the Sun or the Moon. I know no one but you.

Verse 7: In quarrels and grief, through carelessness and travel, in water and fire, on mountains, in forests and among enemies, always protect me.

Verse 8: Orphaned, poor, old and sick, weak and helpless, sunk in misfortune, I still turn to you alone.

Significance

Written in the easy bhujangaprayata metre, Bhavani Ashtakam is one of the first Sanskrit hymns many children learn. Its strength is honesty. It does not ask the devotee to be learned or ritually correct, only sincere. Families recite it in difficult times, and some say the seventh verse before leaving home on a trip.

How and when to chant

Anyone may recite Bhavani Ashtakam at any time; no initiation is needed. During Navaratri it is commonly chanted three times after the evening lamp, before an image of Durga or Parvati, with red flowers and kumkum. Tuesdays and Fridays are also popular. Reciting the refrain together as a family is an easy way to teach it to children.