The Eightfold Verse about the Mother Divine ( Bhavani Ashtakam )

Like Socrates who said " I know nothing, not even my own ignorance", Sankara was also known for his humility.

"I know not Philosophy, Literature or Science " , he says in his poem,
Bhavani Ashtakam. I am one of the worst beings and my only refuge is Thee !


Na Janaami Dhaanam, Na cha Dhyana Yogam,
Na janami Thanthram, na cha Sthothra manthram,
Na janami poojam, na cha Nyasa Yogam,
Gathis Thwam, Gathis Thwam Thwam Ekaa Bhavani

Neither do I know how to donate,
Nor Meditation transcendental
Neither do I know Tantra,
Nor the stanzas of prayer great,
Worshipping is unknown to me ,
Nor do I know the art of yoga,
Thou art my only Refuge , O Mother Divine !

His critics criticised him as a hidden Buddhist. There was no atheism or Agnosticism in him. He declared that all this is a projection of the Universal Mind and that the Eternal Triad - the Relative Universe, the Relative Ego and the Relative Supreme - are all the projections of the Cosmic Mind !

There were other critics who criticised him saying that he championed the superiority of Transcendental Philosophy ( Jnana Yoga ) over Bridal Mysticism ( Bhakthi Yoga ). This was not true, as Bhavani Ashtakam will prove.

" If I believe in anybody in this world, it is Sree Sankara of the East ", said Max Muller. Sankara, the Exponent of Oneness, continues to be one the of the greatest philosophers that ever graced this earth !

Na Thatho, na Matha, na Bandur na Datha,
Na puthro, na puthri , na Bhruthyo , na Bhartha,
Na Jayaa na Vidhya, na Vruthir Mamaiva,
Gathis Thwam, Gathis Thwam Thwam Ekaa Bhavani.

Can I depend on any of these ?
The father, the mother,
The relation or the friend ?
Neither son nor daughter,
Neither servant nor husband,
Neither wife nor Knowledge,
And neither my Profession,
Are refuges I can depend,
Thou art my only Refuge , O Mother Divine !



Bhavad bhava Pare , Maha Dhukha Bheeru,
Papaatha Prakami , Pralobhee Pramatha,
Kam Samsara Pasha Prabadha Sada Aham,
Gathis Thwam, Gathis Thwam Thwam Ekaa Bhavani.

I am in this ocean of worldliness,
I cant face sorrow, guts have I none,
Lust and Sin torment my mind
Greed and desire hold absolute sway,
Bound am I by the useless life I lead
Thou art my only Refuge , O Mother Divine !


Na janami Punyam, Na janami Theertham,
Na janami Mukthim, Layam vaa kadachith,
Na janami Bhakthim, Vrutham vaapi maatha,
Gathis Thwam, Gathis Thwam, Thwam Ekaa Bhavani.

I know not divine merit,
Nor places sacred to visit,
Salvation I know not,
Union with Him is also unknown,
I know not Bhakti Yoga,
Nor austerities divine,
Thou art my only Refuge , O Mother Divine !


Kukarmi, Kusangi, Kubuddhi, Kudhasa,
Kulachara heena, Kadhachara leena,
Kudrushti, Kuvakya prabandha, Sada Aham,
Gathis Thwam, Gathis Thwam, Thwam Ekaa Bhavani.

I do commit heinous sins,
And keep company of the bad,
Sinful thoughts torment me ,
I serve masters bad,
Belong I to a bad family,
Sinful acts dominate me,
See I with bad intentions,
Write I collection of bad words,
Always, ever and ever,
Thou art my only Refuge , O Mother Divine !


Prajesam, Ramesam, Mahesam, Suresam,
Dhinesam, Nisidheswaram vaa Kadachit,
Na janami Chanyath Sada Aham Sharanye,
Gathis Thwam, Gathis Thwam Thwam Ekaa Bhavani


The Creator I know not,
Or the Preserver Divine,
The Lord is unknown to me,
The lord of Celestials I know not,
Unknown is the the Lord of the Day,
Also the Lord of the Night,
Neither do I know any other Gods,
Mighty Goddess to Thee I bow always,
Thou art my only Refuge , O Mother Divine !


Vivadhe, Vishadhe, Pramadhe, Pravase,
Jale cha Anale Parvathe Shatru Madhye,
Aranye, Sharanye Sada Maam Prapahee,
Gathis Thwam, Gathis Thwam, Thwam Ekaa Bhavani.

Whenever I am in an argument,
Whenever in sorrow,
Whenever suffering accidents,
Whenever travelling far away,
Whenever in water or on fire,
Whenever on top of a mountain,
Whenever surrounded by enemies,
Whenever in a deep forest,
I always bow before thee, O Mighty One,
Thou art my only Refuge , O Mother Divine !



Anadho, Dharidro, Jara Roga Yuktho,
Maha Ksheena Dheena, Sada jaadya vakthra,
Vipathou Pravishta, Pranshata sadha Aham,
Gathis Thwam, Gathis Thwam, Thwam Ekaa Bhavani.

Despite being an orphan,
Despite being extremely poor,
Despite affected by disease of old age,
I bow before Thee always
Whenever I am terribly tired,
Whenver in a pitiable state,
When problems overwhelm me,
When dangers threaten,
I always bow before thee,
Thou art my only Refuge , O Mother Divine !