Bhavani Ashtakam: Adi Shankara's Hymn of Surrender (Na Tato Na Mata)
Bhavani Ashtakam - Sanskrit Text
॥ भवान्यष्टकम् ॥
न तातो न माता न बन्धुर्न दाता
न पुत्रो न पुत्री न भृत्यो न भर्ता ।
न जाया न विद्या न वृत्तिर्ममैव
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥१॥
भवाब्धावपारे महादुःखभीरु
पपात प्रकामी प्रलोभी प्रमत्तः ।
कुसंसारपाशप्रबद्धः सदाहं
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥२॥
न जानामि दानं न च ध्यानयोगं
न जानामि तन्त्रं न च स्तोत्रमन्त्रम् ।
न जानामि पूजां न च न्यासयोगं
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥३॥
न जानामि पुण्यं न जानामि तीर्थं
न जानामि मुक्तिं लयं वा कदाचित् ।
न जानामि भक्तिं व्रतं वापि मातर्
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥४॥
कुकर्मी कुसङ्गी कुबुद्धिः कुदासः
कुलाचारहीनः कदाचारलीनः ।
कुदृष्टिः कुवाक्यप्रबन्धः सदाहं
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥५॥
प्रजेशं रमेशं महेशं सुरेशं
दिनेशं निशीथेश्वरं वा कदाचित् ।
न जानामि चान्यत् सदाहं शरण्ये
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥६॥
विवादे विषादे प्रमादे प्रवासे
जले चानले पर्वते शत्रुमध्ये ।
अरण्ये शरण्ये सदा मां प्रपाहि
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥७॥
अनाथो दरिद्रो जरारोगयुक्तो
महाक्षीणदीनः सदा जाड्यवक्त्रः ।
विपत्तौ प्रविष्टः प्रनष्टः सदाहं
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥८॥
॥ इति श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्यविरचितं भवान्यष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
Transliteration (Roman/IAST)
Na tato na mata na bandhur na data,
na putro na putri na bhrityo na bharta |
na jaya na vidya na vrittir mamaiva,
gatis tvam gatis tvam tvam eka bhavani || 1 ||
Vivade vishade pramade pravase,
jale chanale parvate shatru-madhye |
aranye sharanye sada mam prapahi,
gatis tvam gatis tvam tvam eka bhavani || 7 ||
Meaning
Each verse of this hymn ends with the surrender-refrain “gatis tvam gatis tvam tvam eka bhavani” — “You are my refuge, you are my refuge, you alone, O Bhavani.” The devotee declares: “I have no father, no mother, no kinsman or benefactor; no son, daughter, servant or spouse; no wife, no learning, no livelihood that is truly mine — you alone are my refuge, O Bhavani.” He confesses he knows nothing of charity, meditation, tantra, mantra, ritual, pilgrimage, liberation, devotion or vows; that he is full of bad deeds, bad company and bad understanding; and he begs the Mother to protect him in every danger — in dispute, despair, recklessness, exile, in water, fire, mountain, among enemies and in the wilderness. Stripped of every other support, he rests wholly in the Goddess.
About this Stotra
The Bhavani Ashtakam (Bhavanyashtakam) is a celebrated eight-verse hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya. It is one of the purest expressions of sharanagati — total self-surrender — in the entire stotra literature. Bhavani is the gracious, life-giving aspect of the Divine Mother (Parvati / Durga), the consort of Bhava (Shiva).
Significance & Spiritual Benefits
This hymn teaches that when every worldly support — family, wealth, learning, even one’s own merit and practice — is recognised as impermanent, the Mother alone remains as the unfailing refuge. Recited with feeling it dissolves anxiety, fear and the sense of helplessness, and cultivates the deep humility and surrender that are the heart of bhakti. It is treasured by those passing through crisis, loss or despair.
Astrological Relevance
As a Devi hymn, the Bhavani Ashtakam strengthens the Moon (Chandra) — karaka of the mother, the mind and emotional security — and the Shakti planets Mars and Rahu when they trouble the chart. It is an excellent remedy during Sade Sati or a difficult Shani/Rahu period, when one feels stripped of support; for an afflicted Moon causing fear and instability of mind; and for malefic transits through the 6th, 8th or 12th houses. Friday and the Navaratri nights are the natural times for Devi propitiation.
How to Chant (Vidhi)
Bathe and sit before an image of the Divine Mother. Light a lamp, offer red flowers and kumkum, and recite the eight verses slowly, letting the surrender-refrain sink in. It is ideal as a daily prayer in times of difficulty, and can be repeated as a mala (108 times of the full ashtakam over days) during a sankalpa for protection.
Best Day & Time
Friday and Tuesday, the Ashtami and Navami tithis, and all nine nights of Navaratri are most auspicious. Morning after bath or the evening lamp-lighting (sandhya) are the best hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the Bhavani Ashtakam?
It is traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya and is one of his most loved hymns of surrender to the Divine Mother.
What is the central message of the hymn?
That all worldly supports are fleeting, and the Goddess Bhavani alone is the true and final refuge — the essence of sharanagati, complete surrender.
When is it especially helpful to chant?
During times of crisis, fear, loss or a hard planetary period such as Sade Sati, when one needs to let go of anxiety and rest in the Mother’s protection.
When surrender is the only shelter: Shankara's cry to Bhavani
The Bhavani Ashtakam associated with Adi Shankaracharya derives its power from emotional transparency. Unlike his Vedantic treatises, which proceed with philosophical argument, this hymn strips the intellect bare. Each verse catalogues what the devotee lacks - noble birth, virtuous conduct, learning, piety, wealth - and offers only one thing in return: the self, surrendered completely. This structure, in which inadequacy becomes the very credential for divine grace, speaks to universal human experience and has made the hymn a touchstone for those who feel overwhelmed. The mood is one of utter surrender (sharanagati), and the Divine Mother is invoked not as a deity to be propitiated but as the only refuge when all others have failed.
Devotees recite the Bhavani Ashtakam during Navratri, on Fridays, and in times of personal crisis or exhaustion. It is also a daily stotra for those in Shakta upasana. In the Jyotish tradition, the Moon governs the emotional mind, and when the Moon is afflicted - particularly during Shani's Sade Sati, which can bring prolonged strain - surrender to the Divine Mother through this hymn is considered a deeply appropriate response. The belief is not that difficulties immediately dissolve, but that genuine surrender shifts the interior landscape, allowing the devotee to bear what must be borne with grace.