Shri Hari Sharanashtakam
Introduction to Shri Hari Sharanashtakam
The Shri Hari Sharanashtakam beginning with "Dhyeyam Vadanti Shivameva" is a deeply devotional eight-verse hymn that embodies the essence of sharanagati (complete surrender) to Lord Hari. This ashtakam teaches that the ultimate wisdom of all scriptures, sages, and spiritual paths converges at one point — taking refuge at the lotus feet of Lord Hari.
The term "Sharanashtakam" signifies eight verses of seeking divine shelter. The hymn beautifully explains how different paths — meditation (dhyana), worship of Shiva, knowledge (jnana), and devotion (bhakti) — all ultimately lead to the same supreme Lord. It harmonizes various philosophical approaches into the singular devotional act of surrender.
Reciting this ashtakam cultivates the spirit of total surrender and complete trust in the Lord's protection. It is especially powerful for those feeling lost or overwhelmed, as it reminds the devotee that Lord Hari is always ready to embrace those who sincerely seek His refuge.
Watch Shri Hari Sharanashtakam
Shri Hari Sharanashtakam: Sanskrit, English & Tamil Verses
॥ श्री हरि शरणाष्टकम् ॥
ध्येयं वदन्ति शिवमेव हि केचिदन्ये
शक्तिं गणेशमपरे तु दिवाकरं वै।
रूपैस्तु तैरपि विभासि यतस्त्वमेव
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥1॥
नो सोदरो न जनको जननी न जाया
नैवात्मजो न च कुलं विपुलं बलं वा।
संदृष्यते न किल कोऽपि सहायको मे
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥2॥
नोपासिता मदमपास्य मया महान्तस्
तीर्थानि चास्तिकधिया न हि सेवितानि।
देवार्चनं च विधिवन्न कृतं कदापि
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥3॥
दुर्वासना मम सदा परिकर्षयन्ति
चित्तं शरीरमपि रोगगणा दहन्ति।
सञ्जीवनं च परहस्तगतं सदैव
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥4॥
पूर्वं कृतानि दुरितानि मया तु यानि
स्मृत्वाखिलानि हृदयं परिकम्पते मे।
ख्याता च ते पतितपावनता तु यस्मात्
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥5॥
दुःखं जराजननजं विविधाश्च रोगाः
काकश्वसूकरजनिर्निरय च पातः।
त्वद्विस्मृतेः फलमिदं विततं हि लोके
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥6॥
नीचोऽपि पापवलितोऽपि विनिन्दितोऽपि
ब्रूयात्तवाहमिति यस्तु किलैकवारम्।
तं यच्छसीश निजलोकमिति व्रतं ते
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥7॥
वेदेषु धर्मवचनेषु तथागमेषु
रामायणेऽपि च पुराणकदम्बके वा।
सर्वत्र सर्वविधिना गदितस्त्वमेव
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥8॥
॥ इति श्रीमत्परमहंसस्वामिब्रह्मानन्दविरचितं श्रीहरिशरणाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
॥ Shri Hari Sharanaashtakam ॥
Dhyeyam Vadanti Shivameva Hi Kechidanye
Shaktim Ganeshamapare Tu Divaaakaram Vai।
Roopaistu Tairapi Vibhasi Yatastvameva
Tasmaattvameva Sharanam Mama Deenabandho॥1॥
No Sodaro Na Janako Janani Na Jaayaa
Naivaatmajo Na Cha Kulam Vipulam Balam Vaa।
Sandrishyate Na Kila Ko'pi Sahaayako Me
Tasmaattvameva Sharanam Mama Deenabandho॥2॥
Nopaasitaa Madamapaasya Maya Mahaantas
Teerthaani Chaastikadhiyaa Na Hi Sevitaani।
Devaarchanam Cha Vidhivanna Krutam Kadaapi
Tasmaattvameva Sharanam Mama Deenabandho॥3॥
Durvaasanaa Mama Sadaa Parikarshanayanti
Chittam Shareermapi Rogagana Dahanti।
Sanjeevanam Cha Parahastagatam Sadaiva
Tasmaattvameva Sharanam Mama Deenabandho॥4॥
Poorvam Krutaani Duritaani Maya Tu Yaani
Smrutvaakhilaani Hrudayam Parikampate Me।
Khyaataa Cha Te Patitapaavanataa Tu Yasmaat
Tasmaattvameva Sharanam Mama Deenabandho॥5॥
Duhkham Jaraajananajam Vividhaashcha Rogaah
Kaakashvasookarajanirniray Cha Paatah।
Tvadvismuriteh Phalamidaam Vitatam Hi Loke
Tasmaattvameva Sharanam Mama Deenabandho॥6॥
Neecho'pi Paapvalito'pi Vinindito'pi
Brooyaattavahamiti Yastu Kilaikavaaram।
Tam Yachchhaseesh Nijalokamiti Vratam Te
Tasmaattvameva Sharanam Mama Deenabandho॥7॥
Vedeshu Dharmavachaneshu Tathaagameshu
Raamaayanae'pi Cha Puraanakadambake Vaa।
Sarvatra Sarvavidhinaa Gaditastvameva
Tasmaattvameva Sharanam Mama Deenabandho॥8॥
॥ Iti Shrimatparamhamsaswaamibraahmaanandavirachitam Shriharisharanashtakam Sampoornam ॥
॥ ஶ்ரீ ஹரி ஶரணாஷ்டகம் ॥
த்யேயம் வதந்தி ஶிவமேவ ஹி கேசிதன்யேஶக்திம் கணேஶமபரே து திவாகரம் வை।
ரூபைஸ்து தைரபி விபாஸி யதஸ்த்வமேவதஸ்மாத்த்வமேவ ஶரணம் மம தீனபந்தோ॥1॥
நோ ஸோதரோ ந ஜனகோ ஜனனீ ந ஜாயாநைவாத்மஜோ ந ச குலம் விபுலம் பலம் வா।
ஸந்த்ருஷ்யதே ந கில கோ(அ)பி ஸஹாயகோ மேதஸ்மாத்த்வமேவ ஶரணம் மம தீனபந்தோ॥2॥
நோபாஸிதா மதமபாஸ்ய மயா மஹாந்தஸ்தீர்தானிசாஸ்திகதியா ந ஹி ஸேவிதானி।
தேவார்சனம் ச விதிவன்ன க்ருதம் கதாபிதஸ்மாத்த்வமேவ ஶரணம் மம தீனபந்தோ॥3॥
துர்வாஸனா மம ஸதா பரிகர்ஷயந்திசித்தம் ஶரீரமபி ரோககணா தஹந்தி।
ஸஞ்ஜீவனம் ச பரஹஸ்தகதம் ஸதைவதஸ்மாத்த்வமேவ ஶரணம் மம தீனபந்தோ॥4॥
பூர்வம் க்ருதானி துரிதானி மயா து யானிஸ்ம்ருத்வாகிலானி ஹ்ரதயம் பரிகம்பதே மே।
க்யாதா ச தே பதிதபாவனதா து யஸ்மாத்தஸ்மாத்த்வமேவ ஶரணம் மம தீனபந்தோ॥5॥
துःகம் ஜராஜனனஜம் விவிதாஶ்ச ரோகாःகாகஶ்வஸூகரஜநிர்நிரய ச பாதः।
த்வத்விஸ்ம்ரூதேः பலமிதம் விததம் ஹி லோகேதஸ்மாத்த்வமேவ ஶரணம் மம தீனபந்தோ॥6॥
நீசோ(அ)பி பாபவலிதோ(அ)பி வினிந்திதோ(அ)பிப்ரூயாத்தவாஹமிதி யஸ்து கிலைகவாரம்।
தம் யச்சஸீஶ நிஜலோகமிதி வ்ரதம் தேதஸ்மாத்த்வமேவ ஶரணம் மம தீனபந்தோ॥7॥
வேதேஷு தர்மவசனேஷு ததாகமேஷுராமாயணே(அ)பி ச புராணகதம்பகே வா।
ஸர்வத்ர ஸர்வவிதினா கதிதஸ்த்வமேவதஸ்மாத்த்வமேவ ஶரணம் மம தீனபந்தோ॥8॥
॥ இதி ஶ்ரீமத்பரமஹம்ஸஸ்வாமிப்ரஹ்மானந்தவிரசிதம் ஶ்ரீஹரிஶரணாஷ்டகம் ஸம்பூர்ணம் ॥
॥ శ్రీ హరి శరణాష్టకం ॥
ధ్యేయం వదంతి శివమేవ హి కేచిదన్యేబ్రహ్మేతి కేచిదపరే పరిచిన్వతే స్మ।
తత్త్వం తు యద్యదుచితం తదవైమి నైవతస్మాత్త్వమేవ శరణం మమ దీనబంధో ॥1॥
త్వం హంస ఇత్యుపనిషత్సు బభూవ సిద్ధంత్వం మత్స్య ఇత్యపి చ కూర్మ ఇతీహ తద్వత్।
ధ్యేయో(అ)సి విష్ణురపి పద్మజగేహనాథతస్మాత్త్వమేవ శరణం మమ దీనబంధో ॥2॥
మత్స్యేన పూరయసి వారిధిమాన్తరీక్షంగోవర్ధనం ధరసి దోర్విటపేన ధీమన్।
క్ష్మాం గోళకాం చ ధరసే తణుమారయేణతస్మాత్త్వమేవ శరణం మమ దీనబంధో ॥3॥
యేనార్జితం సకలదేవనికాయతేజోయేనాసురాన్ నిరసి వీక్షితఘూర్ణనేన।
యద్రోషమృత్యుపతిరప్యతిభీషణాత్మాతస్మాత్త్వమేవ శరణం మమ దీనబంధో ॥4॥
త్వం శాంతరూపిణమనంతశయం వదంతిత్వామద్భుతం తపనకోటిసమానదీప్తిం।
త్వం నీలమేఘనిభమిందుసమానవక్త్రంతస్మాత్త్వమేవ శరణం మమ దీనబంధో ॥5॥
క్వచిద్గిరౌ క్వచిదనంతజలే శయానఃక్వచిచ్చ వృందవనభూవితానేషు వాసః।
జానాతి జీవమపి నైవ తు చేతయానస్తస్మాత్త్వమేవ శరణం మమ దీనబంధో ॥6॥
యత్రాగతః పునరసౌ న నివర్తతే యత్తద్ధామ సచ్చిదచలం పరమేశమీడ్యం।
గచ్ఛంతి యత్ర మునయో విషయాన్నిహంతుంతస్మాత్త్వమేవ శరణం మమ దీనబంధో ॥7॥
వేదేషు ధర్మవచనేషు తతాగమేషురామాయణే(అ)పి చ పురాణకదంబకే వా।
సర్వత్ర సర్వవిదినా కదితస్త్వమేవతస్మాత్త్వమేవ శరణం మమ దీనబంధో ॥8॥
॥ ఇతి శ్రీమత్పరమహంసస్వామిబ్రహ్మానందవిరచితం శ్రీహరిశరణాష్టకం సంపూర్ణం ॥
Verse-by-Verse Meaning of Shri Hari Sharanashtakam
1 First Verse — The One Lord Behind All Forms
शक्तिं गणेशमपरे तु दिवाकरं वै।
रूपैस्तु तैरपि विभासि यतस्त्वमेव
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥
2 Second Verse — No Helper But You
नैवात्मजो न च कुलं विपुलं बलं वा।
संदृष्यते न किल कोऽपि सहायको मे
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥
3 Third Verse — Confession of Spiritual Neglect
तीर्थानि चास्तिकधिया न हि सेवितानि।
देवार्चनं च विधिवन्न कृतं कदापि
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥
4 Fourth Verse — Tormented by Desires and Diseases
चित्तं शरीरमपि रोगगणा दहन्ति।
सञ्जीवनं च परहस्तगतं सदैव
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥
5 Fifth Verse — Trembling at Past Sins
स्मृत्वाखिलानि हृदयं परिकम्पते मे।
ख्याता च ते पतितपावनता तु यस्मात्
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥
6 Sixth Verse — The Fruit of Forgetting God
काकश्वसूकरजनिर्निरय च पातः।
त्वद्विस्मृतेः फलमिदं विततं हि लोके
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥
7 Seventh Verse — The Lord's Sacred Vow
ब्रूयात्तवाहमिति यस्तु किलैकवारम्।
तं यच्छसीश निजलोकमिति व्रतं ते
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥
8 Eighth Verse — Proclaimed in All Scriptures
रामायणेऽपि च पुराणकदम्बके वा।
सर्वत्र सर्वविधिना गदितस्त्वमेव
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम दीनबन्धो॥
Spiritual Benefits of Reciting Shri Hari Sharanashtakam
- Complete Surrender: Cultivates the spirit of total sharanagati
- Divine Refuge: Establishes one in the shelter of Lord Hari
- Removes Doubt: Eliminates confusion about spiritual paths
- Grants Fearlessness: Bestows courage through divine trust
- Purifies Ego: Dissolves pride and false self-reliance
- Deepens Faith: Strengthens unwavering trust in the Lord
- Bestows Peace: Brings profound serenity through surrender
- Grants Liberation: Opens the path to moksha through Hari's grace
Chanting Instructions
- Sit in a clean, quiet place facing east or north
- Light a lamp and incense before the image of Lord Vishnu
- Offer tulsi leaves, flowers, or water to Lord Hari
- Chant with complete devotion and spirit of surrender
- Ideal times: Brahma Muhurta, Ekadashi, Thursdays
- Recite 1, 3, or 11 times for maximum spiritual benefit
- Conclude with "Sharanam Prapadye" — total surrender prayer
Frequently Asked Questions about Shri Hari Sharanashtakam
Who composed the Shri Hari Sharanashtakam?
The Shri Hari Sharanashtakam was composed by Shrimat Paramahamsa Swami Brahmananda, a revered Vedantic saint and monk. The colophon of the hymn reads "Shrimat Paramahamsa Swami Brahmananda Virachitam," confirming his authorship. Swami Brahmananda was known for his deep devotion and spiritual realization, and this ashtakam beautifully captures the essence of total surrender (sharanagati) to Lord Hari.
What does the refrain 'Tasmat Tvameva Sharanam Mama Deenabandho' mean?
This refrain, which concludes every verse, means: "Therefore You alone are my refuge, O Friend of the helpless (Deenabandho)." The word "Tasmat" (therefore) logically connects each verse's reasoning to the conclusion of surrender. "Tvam eva" (You alone) emphasizes exclusivity of refuge. "Sharanam" means shelter or refuge. "Mama" means my. "Deenabandho" (O friend of the destitute) is a deeply affectionate address to Lord Hari as the one who never abandons the helpless.
What is sharanagati and how does this ashtakam teach it?
Sharanagati means complete, unconditional surrender to the Lord. This ashtakam is a masterclass in sharanagati as it systematically dismantles every form of false refuge — worldly relationships (verse 2), personal spiritual merit (verse 3), physical and mental strength (verse 4), and accumulated karma (verse 5). By showing the futility of all other supports, the devotee is naturally guided to the only true refuge: Lord Hari. Verse 7 reveals the Lord's own sacred vow to grant His divine abode to anyone who says even once "I am Yours."
When is the best time to chant Hari Sharanashtakam?
The Hari Sharanashtakam can be chanted at any time, but the most auspicious times include Brahma Muhurta (approximately 4:00–5:30 AM), during Ekadashi (the 11th day of each lunar fortnight), and on Thursdays which are sacred to Lord Vishnu. It is especially powerful during times of difficulty, despair, or feeling spiritually lost, as the entire hymn is a prayer of surrender. The spirit of helplessness and sincerity, rather than rigid timing, is what makes this prayer most effective.
How does verse 1 reconcile worship of different deities?
Verse 1 beautifully harmonizes the worship of Shiva, Shakti, Ganesha, and Surya (the Sun God) by declaring that Lord Hari shines through all these divine forms. Rather than creating sectarian division, the verse affirms that all paths of worship ultimately lead to the same Supreme Lord. The phrase "Roopaistu Tairapi Vibhasi Yatastvameva" means "since You alone shine forth through all those forms" — establishing the philosophical principle that the one Supreme Reality manifests as many for the benefit of diverse seekers.
Can this ashtakam be chanted by someone who feels unworthy of God's grace?
Absolutely — in fact, this ashtakam is specifically meant for those who feel unworthy. Verse 3 confesses the failure to perform proper worship, verse 5 acknowledges past sins, and verse 7 explicitly declares that even one who is lowly (neecha), enveloped in sin (paapa-valita), and reviled by all (vinindita) can attain the Lord's divine abode by surrendering just once. The entire hymn teaches that feeling helpless and unworthy is itself the perfect qualification for surrender, because Lord Hari is "Deenabandho" — the friend of the destitute.
Is Shri Hari Sharanashtakam available in Tamil lyrics?
Yes. This page includes Shri Hari Sharanashtakam in Tamil (தமிழ்) script along with Sanskrit and English transliteration so devotees can chant in their preferred reading format.