Namaste,
Welcome,
I am Dr.
Neetu Bansal,
Bringing to you this sacred session under the label of Afaf's devotional library.
And today,
We connect with the Bhavani Ashtakam.
Bhavani Ashtakam is a timeless hymn composed by the great saint Adi Shankaracharya.
This sacred hymn is not about rituals,
Knowledge or perfection.
It is about complete surrender.
In our busy lives,
We often define ourselves by our roles or our positions.
But this prayer is a beautiful act of letting go.
This stotra beautifully captures the feeling of helplessness,
Honesty and unconditional surrender to the Divine Mother.
A reminder that even in our weakest moments,
We are never alone.
So now,
As we getting start,
Please close your eyes.
Na tato na mata na bandhur na data na putro na putri na vratyo na bharta na jaya na vidya na vratir mam ev gatistvam gatistvam tvam eka bhavani I have no father,
No mother,
No family and no one to give me anything.
I don't have any support system.
I have no children,
No servants and no partner.
I don't even have a special skill or a job to call my own.
You,
Mother,
O Bhavani,
Are my only hope.
Na tato na mata na bandhur na data na vratir mam ev gatistvam gatistvam tvam eka bhavani I am lost in this big,
Scary world.
I am afraid of life's sorrows.
I have made mistakes.
I have been greedy and I am tied down by my attachments.
O Bhavani,
O Mother,
You are my only way out.
Na jana mi dhanam na cha dhyana yogam na jana mi tantram na cha stotra mantram na jana mi pujam na cha dhyana yogam gatistvam gatistvam tvam eka bhavani I don't know how to give to charity.
And I don't know how to meditate.
I don't know the secret prayers or the holy chants.
I don't even know the right way to worship.
O Bhavani,
O Mother Goddess,
You are my only hope.
Na jana mi purniyam na jana mi tirtham na jana mi muktim layam va kadachit na jana mi bhaktim vratam va api martar gatistvam gatistvam tvam eka bhavani I have not visited holy places.
And I don't have many good deeds to my name.
I don't know the path of freedom or enlightenment.
I don't even know how to be a perfect devotee.
O Mother,
O Bhavani,
But I know you.
I have done wrong things,
Kept bad company and had bad thoughts.
I have not always followed the right path.
And my words are sometimes harsh.
Still,
I come to you as my only refuge.
Prajesham ramesham mahesham suresham dinesham nishitheshwaram va kadachit na jana mi chanyat sadaham saranye gatistvam gatistvam tvam eka bhavani I don't know the great gods or the mysteries of the sun and the moon.
I don't know anyone else to turn to.
O Mother,
O Bhavani,
In this world,
I only seek your protection.
Gatistvam gatistvam tvam eka bhavani Whether I am in a dispute,
In deep sadness,
In a strange land,
Or in danger.
Whether it is fire,
Water,
Or enemies.
O Mother,
Please protect me always.
You are my only shelter.
Anathodharitro jararogyokto mahakshir dhinah sadajad evatra vipattopravistah pranashtah sadaham gatistvam gatistvam tvam eka bhavani I feel like an orphan.
I feel tired and life feels heavy.
I am struggling and lost in calamity.
But even in my darkest time,
I know that you are my only path.
O Mother,
Bhavani,
If this prayer brought you peace,
Please follow my profile for more soulful chants and guided reflections.
May you find strength and refuge in the Divine Mother.
Namaste
