Bhavani Ashtaka
Hindu hymn in praise of Bhavani
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The Bhavani Ashtaka (Sanskrit: भवानिअष्टकम्, romanized: Bhavāniaṣṭakaṃ), also called the Bhavanyashtaka, is an 8th-century[1] Hindu ashtaka written by the philosopher Adi Shankara.[2] Comprising 8 stanzas,[3] the work extols the goddess Bhavani, an epithet of the goddess Durga.
| Bhavani Ashtaka | |
|---|---|
Painting of Durga, Raja Ravi Varma | |
| Information | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Author | Adi Shankara |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| Verses | 8 |
Description
In the hymn, Adi Shankara proclaims Bhavani, a form of the divine mother, to be his only refuge, help, and source of strength.[4]
Hymn
The first stanza of the mantra describes the author's veneration of Bhavani:[5][6]
na tāto na mātā na bandhur na dātā
na putro na putrī na bhṛtyo na bhartā
na jāyā na vidyā na vṛttir mamaiva gatiḥ
tvaṁ gatiḥ tvaṁ tvamekā bhavāni
— Stanza 1
I have neither father nor mother, neither friend nor a grandson,
neither a son nor a daughter, neither a servant nor a husband
Neither have I a wife, nor any learning nor any occupation
You, Bhavani, you are alone my refuge