अष्टकम् · Hanuman
Hanuman Ashtakam
हनुमान अष्टकम्
The Hanuman Ashtakam is a classical Sanskrit hymn of eight stanzas that praises the extraordinary qualities of Lord Hanuman — the mighty son of the wind-god (Pavana Putra), the foremost devotee of Lord Rama. The hymn glorifies Hanuman's legendary feats: his leap over the ocean to Lanka, his burning of the demon city with his flaming tail, his carrying of the Sanjeevani mountain to save Lakshmana, and his unflinching devotion to Rama. Reciting this ashtakam on Tuesdays and Saturdays is said to grant immense strength, protection from evil, and liberation from fear and disease.
Sanskrit · 8 shlokas
Deity Hub
हनुमानHanuman
Worship on Tuesdays · Hanuman Jayanti
Frequently Asked Questions about Hanuman Ashtakam
What is the Hanuman Ashtakam?
The Hanuman Ashtakam is a Sanskrit hymn consisting of eight stanzas (shlokas) that praise Lord Hanuman's legendary qualities and feats: his childhood leap at the sun, flying across the ocean to find Sita, burning Lanka, saving Lakshmana with the Sanjeevani herb, and his eternal devotion to Rama. It is a concise and powerful prayer recited for courage, protection, and strength.
What are the 8 qualities of Hanuman praised in this Ashtakam?
The eight shlokas praise: (1) his boundless childhood energy and power to remove afflictions, (2) his role as Rama's messenger and the burning of Lanka, (3) his ocean-crossing feat and finding Sita, (4) his battle feats in Lanka (slaying Aksha), (5) bringing the Sanjeevani mountain and saving Lakshmana, (6) his terrifying and mighty cosmic form, (7) his complete dedication and dwelling in Rama's heart, and (8) the Phalashruti (promise of peace and protection).
What is the difference between the Hanuman Ashtakam and the Hanuman Chalisa?
The Hanuman Ashtakam is a shorter Sanskrit composition of 8 shlokas, primarily used for quick and focused worship. The Hanuman Chalisa, composed by Tulsidas in Awadhi Hindi, consists of 40 chaupais and 2 dohas, and provides a more detailed narrative of Hanuman's deeds and attributes. Both are powerful prayers, but the Chalisa is more widely recited in North India due to its vernacular accessibility.
Why are Tuesday and Saturday special for Hanuman worship?
Tuesday (Mangalvara) is sacred to Hanuman because "Mangal" refers to both auspiciousness and the planet Mars, and Hanuman is believed to neutralise the malefic effects of Mars. Saturday (Shanivara), associated with the often-feared planet Saturn, is also Hanuman's day because Hanuman once freed Saturn from Ravana's captivity — thus, Saturn blesses those who worship Hanuman on Saturdays.
What are the benefits of reciting the Hanuman Ashtakam?
According to the Phalashruti (concluding verse), reciting the Hanuman Ashtakam daily in the morning and evening destroys all fear and sorrow and grants lasting peace. More broadly, Hanuman is the god of strength, courage, and protection. His devotees believe that regular recitation protects against evil spirits, black magic, accidents, and diseases, and grants physical strength and mental fortitude.