Shri Bhavani Ashtakam

Q: What does 'Gatistwam Gatistwam Twameka Bhavani' mean?

'Gatistwam Gatistwam Twameka Bhavani' means 'You alone are my refuge, you alone are my refuge, O Bhavani!' This powerful refrain appears at the end of every verse, emphasizing the devotee's complete and unconditional surrender to the Divine Mother. 'Gati' means refuge, destination, or the ultimate support of the soul.

Introduction to Shri Bhavani Ashtakam

The Shri Bhavani Ashtakam beginning with "Na Tato Na Mata Na Bandhurna Data" is a deeply moving eight-verse hymn dedicated to Goddess Bhavani, the divine mother and compassionate form of Goddess Parvati who protects her devotees from all worldly sorrows. "Bhavani" means "the giver of life" or "the source of existence," signifying the universal mother who nurtures and shields all beings with her boundless maternal love.

This powerful ashtakam is a heartfelt surrender to the Divine Mother, expressing that when no father, mother, friend, or benefactor remains, it is only Goddess Bhavani who stands as the eternal refuge. Each verse is a poignant cry of devotion, acknowledging the supreme grace of the goddess who destroys fears, removes sins, and guides the soul toward liberation.

Reciting the Shri Bhavani Ashtakam with sincere devotion grants divine protection from all dangers, bestows courage in times of adversity, and fills the heart with the warmth of the Divine Mother's unconditional love. It is especially powerful for those seeking refuge from worldly suffering, strength to overcome obstacles, and the ultimate blessing of spiritual liberation.

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Shri Bhavani Ashtakam: Sanskrit, English & Tamil Verses

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॥ श्री 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॥1॥

भवाब्धावपारे महादुःखभीरु
पपात प्रकामी प्रलोभी प्रमत्तः।
कुसंसारपाशप्रबद्धः सदाहं
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि॥2॥

न जानामि दानं न च ध्यानयोगं
न जानामि तन्त्रं न च स्तोत्रमन्त्रम्।
न जानामि पूजां न च न्यासयोगं
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि॥3॥

न जानामि पुण्यं न जानामि तीर्थं
न जानामि मुक्तिं लयं वा कदाचित्।
न जानामि भक्तिं व्रतं वापि मातर्
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि॥4॥

कुकर्मी कुसंगी कुबुद्धिः कुदासः
कुलाचारहीनः कदाचारलीनः।
कुदृष्टिः कुवाक्यप्रबन्धः सदाहं
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि॥5॥

प्रजेशं रमेशं महेशं सुरेशं
दिनेशं निशीथेश्वरं वा कदाचित्।
न जानामि चान्यत्सदाहं शरण्ये
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि॥6॥

विवादे विषादे प्रमादे प्रवासे
जले चानले पर्वते शत्रुमध्ये।
अरण्ये शरण्ये सदा मां प्रपाहि
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि॥7॥

अनाथो दरिद्रो जरारोगयुक्तो
महाक्षीणदीनः सदा जाड्यवक्त्रः।
विपत्तौ प्रविष्टः प्रनष्टः सदाहं
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि॥8॥

॥ इति श्रीमद् आदि शङ्कराचार्यविरचितं श्री भवान्यष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

॥ Shri Bhavanyashtakam ॥

Na Tato Na Mata Na Bandhurna Data
Na Putro Na Putri Na Bhrutyo Na Bharta।
Na Jaya Na Vidya Na Vruttirmmamaiva
Gatistwam Gatistwam Twameka Bhavani॥1॥

Bhavabdhavapare Mahaduhkhabhiru
Papata Prakami Pralobhi Pramattah।
Kusamsarapashaprabaddhah Sadaham
Gatistwam Gatistwam Twameka Bhavani॥2॥

Na Janami Danam Na Cha Dhyanayogam
Na Janami Tantram Na Cha Stotramantram।
Na Janami Pujam Na Cha Nyasayogam
Gatistwam Gatistwam Twameka Bhavani॥3॥

Na Janami Punyam Na Janami Teertham
Na Janami Muktim Layam Va Kadachit।
Na Janami Bhaktim Vratam Vapi Matar
Gatistwam Gatistwam Twameka Bhavani॥4॥

Kukarmi Kusangi Kubuddhih Kudasah
Kulachaaraheenah Kadacharaleenah।
Kudrushtih Kuvakyaprabandhah Sadaham
Gatistwam Gatistwam Twameka Bhavani॥5॥

Prajesham Ramesham Mahesham Suresham
Dinesham Nishitheshwaram Va Kadachit।
Na Janami Chanyatsadaham Sharanye
Gatistwam Gatistwam Twameka Bhavani॥6॥

Vivade Vishade Pramade Pravase
Jale Chanale Parvate Shatrumaadhye।
Aranye Sharanye Sada Mam Prapahi
Gatistwam Gatistwam Twameka Bhavani॥7॥

Anatho Daridro Jararogayukto
Mahaksheenadeenah Sada Jadyavaktrah।
Vipattau Pravishtah Pranashtah Sadaham
Gatistwam Gatistwam Twameka Bhavani॥8॥

॥ Iti Shrimad Adi Shankaracharyavirachitam Shri Bhavanyashtakam Sampoornam ॥

॥ ஶ்ரீ பவான்யஷ்டகம் ॥
ந தாதோ ந மாதா ந பந்துர்ன தாதாந புத்ரோ ந புத்ரீ ந ப்ருத்யோ ந பர்தா।
ந ஜாயா ந வித்யா ந வ்ருத்திர்மமைவகதிஸ்த்வம் கதிஸ்த்வம் த்வமேகா பவானி॥1॥

பவாப்தாவபாரே மஹாதுःகபீருःபபாத ப்ரகாமீ ப்ரலோபீ ப்ரமத்தः।
குஸம்ஸாரபாஶப்ரபத்தः ஸதாஹம்கதிஸ்த்வம் கதிஸ்த்வம் த்வமேகா பவானி॥2॥

ந ஜாநாமி தானம் ந ச த்யானயோகம்ந ஜாநாமி தந்த்ரம் ந ச ஸ்தோத்ரமந்த்ரம்।
ந ஜாநாமி பூஜாம் ந ச ந்யாஸயோகம்கதிஸ்த்வம் கதிஸ்த்வம் த்வமேகா பவானி॥3॥

ந ஜாநாமி புண்யம் ந ஜாநாமி தீர்தம்ந ஜாநாமி முக்தி லயம் வா கதாசித்।
ந ஜாநாமி பக்தி வ்ரதம் வாபிமாதர்கதிஸ்த்வம் கதிஸ்த்வம் த்வமேகா பவானி॥4॥

குகர்மீ குஸங்கீ குபுத்திः குதாஸःகுலாசாரஹீனः கதாசாரலீனः।
குத்ருஷ்டிः குவாக்யப்ரபந்தः ஸதாஹம்கதிஸ்த்வம் கதிஸ்த்வம் த்வமேகா பவானி॥5॥

ப்ரஜேஶம் ரமேஶம் மஹேஶம் ஸுரேஶம்தினேஶம் நிஶீதேஶ்வரம் வா கதாசித்।
ந ஜாநாமி சான்யத் ஸதாஹம் ஶரண்யேகதிஸ்த்வம் கதிஸ்த்வம் த்வமேகா பவானி॥6॥

விவாதே விஷாதே ப்ரமாதே ப்ரவாஸேஜலே சானலே பர்வதே ஶத்ருமத்யே।
அரண்யே ஶரண்யே ஸதா மாம் ப்ரபாஹிகதிஸ்த்வம் கதிஸ்த்வம் த்வமேகா பவானி॥7॥

அநாதோ தரித்ரோ ஜராரோகயுக்தோமஹாக்ஷீணதீனः ஸதா ஜாட்யவக்த்ரः।
விபத்தௌ ப்ரவிஷ்டः ப்ரணஷ்டः ஸதாஹம்கதிஸ்த்வம் கதிஸ்த்வம் த்வமேகா பவானி॥8॥

॥ இதி ஶ்ரீமச்சங்கராசார்யக்ருதம் பவான்யஷ்டகம் ஸம்பூர்ணம் ॥

॥ శ్రీ భవాన్యష్టకం ॥

న తాతో న మాతా న బంధుర్న దాతా
న పుత్రో న పుత్రీ న భృత్యో న భర్తా।
న జాయా న విద్యా న వృత్తిర్మమైవ
గతిస్త్వం గతిస్త్వం త్వమేకా భవాని॥1॥

భవాబ్ధావపారే మహాదుఃఖభీరుః
పపాత ప్రకామీ ప్రలోభీ ప్రమత్తః।
కుసంసారపాశప్రబద్ధః సదాహం
గతిస్త్వం గతిస్త్వం త్వమేకా భవాని॥2॥

న జానామి దానం న చ ధ్యానయోగం
న జానామి తంత్రం న చ స్తోత్రమంత్రం।
న జానామి పూజాం న చ న్యాసయోగం
గతిస్త్వం గతిస్త్వం త్వమేకా భవాని॥3॥

న జానామి పుణ్యం న జానామి తీర్థం
న జానామి ముక్తి లయం వా కదాచిత్।
న జానామి భక్తి వ్రతం వాపిమాతర్
గతిస్త్వం గతిస్త్వం త్వమేకా భవాని॥4॥

కుకర్మీ కుసంగీ కుబుద్ధిః కుదాసః
కులాచారహీనః కదాచారలీనః।
కుదృష్టిః కువాక్యప్రబంధః సదాహం
గతిస్త్వం గతిస్త్వం త్వమేకా భవాని॥5॥

ప్రజేశం రమేశం మహేశం సురేశం
దినేశం నిశీథేశ్వరం వా కదాచిత్।
న జానామి చాన్యత్ సదాహం శరణ్యే
గతిస్త్వం గతిస్త్వం త్వమేకా భవాని॥6॥

వివాదే విషాదే ప్రమాదే ప్రవాసే
జలే చానలే పర్వతే శత్రుమధ్యే।
అరణ్యే శరణ్యే సదా మాం ప్రపాహి
గతిస్త్వం గతిస్త్వం త్వమేకా భవాని॥7॥

అనాథో దరిద్రో జరారోగయుక్తో
మహాక్షీణదీనః సదా జాడ్యవక్త్రః।
విపత్తౌ ప్రవిష్టః ప్రణష్టః సదాహం
గతిస్త్వం గతిస్త్వం త్వమేకా భవాని॥8॥

॥ ఇతి శ్రీమచ్ఛంకరాచార్యకృతం భవాన్యష్టకం సంపూర్ణం ॥

Verse-by-Verse Meaning of Shri Bhavani Ashtakam

1 First Verse

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॥

Word Meanings: न = not; तातः = father; न = not; माता = mother; न = not; बन्धुः = relative/friend; न = not; दाता = benefactor; न = not; पुत्रः = son; न = not; पुत्री = daughter; न = not; भृत्यः = servant; न = not; भर्ता = husband; न = not; जाया = wife; न = not; विद्या = learning; न = not; वृत्तिः = livelihood; मम = my; एव = only; गतिः = refuge; त्वम् = you are; त्वम् एका = you alone; भवानि = O Bhavani

Translation: I have no father, no mother, no relative, no benefactor, no son, no daughter, no servant, no husband, no wife, no learning, and no livelihood. You alone are my refuge, you alone are my refuge, O Bhavani!

2 Second Verse

भवाब्धावपारे महादुःखभीरु
पपात प्रकामी प्रलोभी प्रमत्तः।
कुसंसारपाशप्रबद्धः सदाहं
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि॥

Word Meanings: भवाब्धौ = in the ocean of worldly existence; अपारे = boundless; महादुःखभीरु = greatly afflicted by sorrow; पपात = fallen; प्रकामी = full of desires; प्रलोभी = full of greed; प्रमत्तः = intoxicated/negligent; कुसंसार = evil worldly life; पाश = bonds; प्रबद्धः = bound tightly; सदा = always; अहम् = I

Translation: In the boundless ocean of worldly existence, greatly afflicted by sorrow, I have fallen — full of desires, greed, and negligence. Always bound tightly by the ropes of this wretched worldly life — you alone are my refuge, O Bhavani!

3 Third Verse

न जानामि दानं न च ध्यानयोगं
न जानामि तन्त्रं न च स्तोत्रमन्त्रम्।
न जानामि पूजां न च न्यासयोगं
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि॥

Word Meanings: न जानामि = I do not know; दानम् = charity; न च = nor; ध्यानयोगम् = the yoga of meditation; तन्त्रम् = tantric practices; स्तोत्रमन्त्रम् = hymns and mantras; पूजाम् = ritual worship; न्यासयोगम् = the practice of nyasa (ritual placement of mantras on the body)

Translation: I know neither charity, nor the yoga of meditation, I know neither tantric practices, nor hymns and mantras. I know neither ritual worship, nor the practice of nyasa — you alone are my refuge, O Bhavani!

4 Fourth Verse

न जानामि पुण्यं न जानामि तीर्थं
न जानामि मुक्तिं लयं वा कदाचित्।
न जानामि भक्तिं व्रतं वापि मातर्
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि॥

Word Meanings: न जानामि = I do not know; पुण्यम् = merit/virtue; तीर्थम् = pilgrimage; मुक्तिम् = liberation; लयम् = dissolution/absorption; वा = or; कदाचित् = ever; भक्तिम् = devotion; व्रतम् = religious vows; वापि = even; मातर् = O Mother

Translation: I know not merit, I know not pilgrimage, I know neither liberation nor yogic dissolution. I know neither devotion nor religious vows, O Mother — you alone are my refuge, O Bhavani!

5 Fifth Verse

कुकर्मी कुसंगी कुबुद्धिः कुदासः
कुलाचारहीनः कदाचारलीनः।
कुदृष्टिः कुवाक्यप्रबन्धः सदाहं
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि॥

Word Meanings: कुकर्मी = doer of evil deeds; कुसंगी = keeper of bad company; कुबुद्धिः = one of evil intellect; कुदासः = a wicked servant; कुलाचारहीनः = devoid of righteous conduct; कदाचारलीनः = absorbed in sinful behavior; कुदृष्टिः = of evil vision; कुवाक्यप्रबन्धः = one whose speech is full of wicked words; सदा = always; अहम् = I

Translation: I am a doer of evil deeds, a keeper of bad company, one of evil intellect, a wicked servant, devoid of righteous conduct, absorbed in sinful behavior, of evil vision, and whose speech is full of wicked words — you alone are my refuge, O Bhavani!

6 Sixth Verse

प्रजेशं रमेशं महेशं सुरेशं
दिनेशं निशीथेश्वरं वा कदाचित्।
न जानामि चान्यत्सदाहं शरण्ये
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि॥

Word Meanings: प्रजेशम् = Lord of creatures (Brahma); रमेशम् = Lord of Rama/Lakshmi (Vishnu); महेशम् = the great Lord (Shiva); सुरेशम् = Lord of the gods (Indra); दिनेशम् = the Lord of the day (Surya); निशीथेश्वरम् = the Lord of the night (Chandra); वा = or; कदाचित् = ever; न जानामि = I do not know; च = and; अन्यत् = any other; शरण्ये = O refuge

Translation: Neither the Lord of creatures (Brahma), nor the Lord of Lakshmi (Vishnu), nor the great Lord (Shiva), nor the Lord of the gods (Indra), nor the sun-god, nor the moon-god — I know no other refuge, O Bhavani, you alone are my refuge!

7 Seventh Verse

विवादे विषादे प्रमादे प्रवासे
जले चानले पर्वते शत्रुमध्ये।
अरण्ये शरण्ये सदा मां प्रपाहि
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि॥

Word Meanings: विवादे = in dispute; विषादे = in sorrow/despair; प्रमादे = in danger/carelessness; प्रवासे = in exile/foreign land; जले = in water; च = and; अनले = in fire; पर्वते = on a mountain; शत्रुमध्ये = amidst enemies; अरण्ये = in the forest; शरण्ये = O refuge; सदा = always; माम् = me; प्रपाहि = protect

Translation: In dispute, in despair, in danger, in foreign lands, in water, in fire, on mountains, amidst enemies, in the forest — O refuge, always protect me! You alone are my refuge, O Bhavani!

8 Eighth Verse

अनाथो दरिद्रो जरारोगयुक्तो
महाक्षीणदीनः सदा जाड्यवक्त्रः।
विपत्तौ प्रविष्टः प्रनष्टः सदाहं
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि॥

Word Meanings: अनाथः = orphan/helpless; दरिद्रः = destitute/poor; जरारोगयुक्तः = afflicted by old age and disease; महाक्षीण = greatly weakened; दीनः = miserable; सदा = always; जाड्यवक्त्रः = dull-faced/speechless; विपत्तौ = in calamity; प्रविष्टः = fallen into; प्रनष्टः = ruined/perished; सदा = always; अहम् = I

Translation: Helpless, destitute, afflicted by old age and disease, greatly weakened, miserable, always dull-faced — fallen into calamity and ruined, I remain always thus. You alone are my refuge, you alone are my refuge, O Bhavani!

Spiritual Benefits of Reciting Shri Bhavani Ashtakam

Grants Divine Protection: Shields the devotee from all dangers and calamities
Removes Fear: Eliminates all anxieties, fears, and phobias
Bestows Maternal Love: Fills the heart with the warmth of the Divine Mother
Destroys Sins: Purifies accumulated karmic debts and transgressions
Grants Courage: Bestows inner strength and fearlessness
Removes Worldly Attachments: Frees the mind from material bondage
Bestows Devotion: Deepens love and surrender to the Divine Mother
Leads to Liberation: Opens the path to moksha and eternal freedom

Chanting Instructions

Sit in a clean, quiet place facing east or north
Light a lamp and incense before the image of Goddess Bhavani or Parvati
Offer red flowers, kumkum, and sindoor to the goddess
Chant with devotion, meditating on the divine form of Bhavani
Ideal times: Navratri, Fridays, Durga Ashtami, Purnima
Recite 1, 3, or 11 times for maximum spiritual benefit
Conclude with surrender to the lotus feet of the goddess

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Shri Bhavani Ashtakam

Who composed the Bhavani Ashtakam and what is its significance?

The Bhavani Ashtakam was composed by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, one of the greatest Hindu philosophers and spiritual masters. It is a deeply moving prayer of complete surrender to Goddess Bhavani (a form of Parvati/Durga), expressing that when all worldly relationships and resources fail, the Divine Mother alone remains as the eternal refuge.

What does "Gatistwam Gatistwam Twameka Bhavani" mean?

"Gatistwam Gatistwam Twameka Bhavani" means "You alone are my refuge, you alone are my refuge, O Bhavani!" This powerful refrain appears at the end of every verse, emphasizing the devotee's complete and unconditional surrender to the Divine Mother. "Gati" means refuge, destination, or the ultimate support of the soul.

What are the spiritual benefits of reciting the Bhavani Ashtakam?

Reciting the Bhavani Ashtakam grants divine protection from all dangers, removes fear and anxiety, destroys accumulated sins, bestows courage and inner strength, deepens devotion to the Divine Mother, and ultimately leads to spiritual liberation (moksha). It is especially powerful for those experiencing worldly suffering or feeling helpless.

When should the Bhavani Ashtakam be chanted?

The Bhavani Ashtakam can be chanted at any time, but it is especially powerful during Navratri, on Fridays, during Durga Ashtami, and on Purnima (full moon days). It is also very effective when a person feels helpless, fearful, or is going through difficult times, as it invokes the protective grace of the Divine Mother.

What is the theme of the Bhavani Ashtakam?

The central theme of the Bhavani Ashtakam is complete surrender (sharanagati) to the Divine Mother. Each verse describes a state of human helplessness — lacking relationships, knowledge, virtue, strength — and concludes that Goddess Bhavani alone is the ultimate refuge. It teaches the profound spiritual truth that total surrender to the Divine Mother transcends all limitations.

Who is Goddess Bhavani and how is she related to Parvati?

Goddess Bhavani is the compassionate and protective form of Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. The name "Bhavani" means "the giver of life" or "the source of existence" (from the root "bhava" meaning existence). She represents the universal mother who nurtures all beings and serves as the ultimate refuge for devotees in times of distress.

Is Shri Bhavani Ashtakam available in Tamil?

Yes. This page includes Shri Bhavani Ashtakam in Tamil script along with Sanskrit (Devanagari) and English transliteration for convenient chanting.