Every devotee of Lord Hanuman eventually finds their way to the Ashtak.
Most people know the Hanuman Chalisa — 40 verses, recited every morning, the foundation of Hanuman worship. But alongside it, written by the same poet — Goswami Tulsidas — there is a shorter, more concentrated prayer of 8 verses. Its name describes exactly what it does: Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak (संकट मोचन हनुमान अष्टक).
Sankat Mochan (संकट मोचन) means remover of crises. Ashtak (अष्टक) means a composition of eight verses. Together: eight verses invoking the power that removes crises. The prayer is brief, pointed, and each verse ends with the same line, repeating Hanuman’s most essential quality like a hammer striking the same nail eight times.
How Is It Different From the Hanuman Chalisa?
| Hanuman Chalisa | Sankat Mochan Ashtak | |
|---|---|---|
| Verses | 40 Chaupais + 2 Dohas | 8 verses |
| Tone | Devotional portrait of Hanuman Ji | Narrative of specific deeds with a repeated plea |
| Length | 8–10 minutes | 3–4 minutes |
| Purpose | Daily devotion, general blessings | Crisis removal, focused petitioning |
| Refrain | No fixed refrain | Same line ends every verse: “Ko nahin janat hai jag mein kapi, Sankat Mochan naam tihara” |
While other intense Hanuman prayers like the Bajrang Baan are considered particularly powerful and sometimes read with caution, the Ashtak is gentler in character — more a narrative praise than a direct petition for urgent intervention. It recounts episodes from Hanuman’s life, and through each episode reminds you (and invokes) who you are turning to.
The Refrain — The Heart of the Ashtak
Every single verse of the Ashtak ends with the same two lines:
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकट मोचन नाम तिहारा॥Ko nahin janat hai jag mein kapi, Sankat Mochan naam tihara.“Who in this world does not know, O monkey-lord, that your name is Sankat Mochan — the remover of all crises?”
Tulsidas repeats this eight times — not for lack of imagination, but for deliberate effect. Repetition in Sanskrit devotional literature is not redundancy; it is intensification. By the eighth repetition, the devotee has been brought into complete focus on the one name and the one quality that matters most in that moment: Sankat Mochan.
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak — Complete Lyrics with Meaning
॥ दोहा ॥
श्री गुरु चरण सरोज रज, निज मन मुकुर सुधारि।
बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु, जो दायकु फल चारि॥
Having cleansed the mirror of my mind with the dust of my Guru’s lotus feet, I sing the pure glory of Lord Ram, who grants the four fruits of life.
॥ अष्टक — Verse 1 ॥
बाल समय रवि भक्ष लियो तब, तीनहुँ लोक भयो अंधियारा।
ताहि सों त्रास भयो जग को, यह संकट काहू सों जात न टारा।
देवन आनि करी विनती तब, छाड़ि दियो रवि कष्ट निवारा।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकट मोचन नाम तिहारा॥
In your childhood you swallowed the Sun and the three worlds fell into darkness. No one could remove this terrible crisis. Only when the gods came and appealed to you did you release the Sun and remove the suffering. Who in this world does not know, O Hanuman, that your name is Sankat Mochan?
॥ Verse 2 ॥
बालि की त्रास कपीस बसैं गिरि, जात महाप्रभु पंथ निहारा।
चौंकि महामुनि शाप दियो तब, चाहत कौन बिचार बिचारा।
कैद्धि महाखल राक्षस मारो, राम दुलारे तुम्हरे दुलारा।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकट मोचन नाम तिहारा॥
The monkey-king Sugriva hid on the mountain, fearing Bali, watching the road for the arrival of the great Lord. You went and struck down that great wicked demon Bali — beloved of Ram, you who are Lord Ram’s most treasured. Who in this world does not know, O Hanuman, that your name is Sankat Mochan?
॥ Verse 3 ॥
अंगद के संग लेन गये सिय, खोज कपीस यह बैन उचारा।
जीवत न बचिहौ हम सों जु, बिना सुधि लाये इहाँ पगु धारा।
हेरि थके तट सिंधु सबै तब, लाय सिया सुधि प्राण उबारा।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकट मोचन नाम तिहारा॥
You went with Angad to search for Sita; the monkey-king declared none would return alive without news of her. All had exhausted themselves searching the shores of the ocean. You brought news of Sita and saved their lives. Who in this world does not know, O Hanuman, that your name is Sankat Mochan?
॥ Verse 4 ॥
बान लग्यो उर लछिमन के तब, प्राण तजे सुत रावन मारा।
लेहु बिदेह कौसल्या कारन, आनि सजीवन हाथ सुधारा।
आनि संजीवन लखन जियाये, श्री रघुबीर हरषि उर लारा।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकट मोचन नाम तिहारा॥
When an arrow struck Lakshmana’s heart and the son of Ravana left him dying, you brought the Sanjeevani herb and restored his life. Lord Ram embraced you with joy. Who in this world does not know, O Hanuman, that your name is Sankat Mochan?
॥ Verse 5 ॥
मनिरावन की भुज काटि तब, दिन्हेसि सिया लछिमन को उबारा।
बिनु सहाय कठिन तोन मारो, सारो सब संसय हारा।
मनि रावन को मारि बिदा किये, महिमा नहिं जाय बखारा।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकट मोचन नाम तिहारा॥
You cut off the arms of Mahiravana and freed Sita and Lakshmana. Alone you destroyed that terrible enemy, removing every doubt and difficulty. The glory of killing Mahiravana is beyond description. Who in this world does not know, O Hanuman, that your name is Sankat Mochan?
॥ Verse 6 ॥
पैठि पताल तोरि जमकारे, अहिरावण की भुजा उखारे।
राम लखन बंधन तब मोचे, हंसे सकल सुरपुर के तारे।
लाये बाँधि काल अस मारयो, सो दिन मंगल आनि पुकारा।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकट मोचन नाम तिहारा॥
You descended into the underworld, broke through Yama’s prison and tore off Ahiravana’s arms. You freed Ram and Lakshmana from their bonds; the gods in heaven rejoiced. That day became an auspicious occasion. Who in this world does not know, O Hanuman, that your name is Sankat Mochan?
॥ Verse 7 ॥
बाईं भुजा असुर दल मारे, दाहिनी भुज संत जन तारे।
सुर नर मुनि जन जासु यश गावैं, तासु महिमा को पारि बखारे।
राम नाम निज हृदय बसाऊं, तज दे मन कि सब भव भारा।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकट मोचन नाम तिहारा॥
With your left arm you destroy armies of demons; with your right arm you uplift the saints. Gods, humans, and sages all sing your glory — who can describe your full greatness? Place Ram’s name in my heart and remove the burden of this world. Who in this world does not know, O Hanuman, that your name is Sankat Mochan?
॥ Verse 8 ॥
जय जय जय हनुमान गोसाईं, कृपा करो गुरुदेव की नाईं।
गोविन्द दास यह चाहत राहू, सब विधि दीन भक्त की नाईं।
रामदास तुम्हारो तुलसीदास, यह मन करि है क्यों न पुकारा।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकट मोचन नाम तिहारा॥
Victory, victory, victory to Hanuman Ji! Grant your grace as a Guru grants to a student. Your servant Tulsidas asks only for this: make this devoted soul worthy of your shelter. Why should this mind not call out to you? Who in this world does not know, O Hanuman, that your name is Sankat Mochan?
When to Read the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak
The Ashtak is read most naturally:
- After the Hanuman Chalisa as part of an extended morning puja
- On Tuesday or Saturday — Hanuman Ji’s primary auspicious days
- During periods of specific difficulty or crisis, the Ashtak’s refrain of “Sankat Mochan” makes it particularly apt
- During Hanuman Jayanti, as part of the day’s extended prayer session
- At Sankat Mochan temples — particularly the famous Sankat Mochan Temple in Varanasi, which Tulsidas himself founded
To understand who Hanuman Ji is more deeply — especially the specific deeds referenced in these 8 verses — read our complete guide on his life and role in the Ramayana.
Jai Bajrangbali! 🙏
