The Eightfold Verse about the Mother Divine ( Bhavani Ashtakam )

The first write up has moved to http://www.eastrovedica.com/html/eightfoldverse1.asp

Meanwhile , here is another write up. This gracious poem was crafted by the ace philosopher Sankara, who was as candid as Socrates. He was equally humble, moving one to tears !

Thou art my Refuge, O Mother

My only Refuge !

Neither Father nor Mother

Neither relatives nor sons

Or daughters preciious

Or husband loving
Or wife or Education

Nor Profession

Can redeem me

Only Thou can !

Na Thaatho Na Maataa Na Bandhur-Na Daathaa
Na Putro Na Putree  Na Bhrtyo Na Bhartaa
Na Jaayaa Na Vidyaa Na Vrttir-Mama-Iva
Gatis-Tvam Gatis-Tvam Tvam-Ekaa Bhavaani

I am more or less a coward

Sunk in the quagmire of worldliness

Always enmeshed in worldly life

With a lot of worries

Thou art my Sole Refuge, O Mother !

Bhavaabdhaav-Apaare Mahaa-Duhkha-Bhiiru
Pa-Paata Pra-Kaamii Pra-Lobhii Pra-Mattah |
Ku-Samsaara-Paasha-Pra-Baddhah Sada-[A]ham
Gatis-Tvam Gatis-Tvam Tvam-Ekaa Bhavaani

I know not the act of donating

Nor meditation mystic

Neither Tantra holy

Nor mantras divine

I know not Pujas
Acts of worship

Nor Raja Yoga

Thou art my Sole Refuge, O Mother !

Na Jaanaami Daanam Na Ca Dhyaana-Yogam
Na Jaanaami Tantram Na Ca Stotra-Mantram |
Na Jaanaami Puujaam Na Ca Nyaasa-Yogam
Gatis-Tvam Gatis-Tvam Tvam-Ekaa Bhavaani|

I know not divine merit

Nor waters divine

Nor Salvation great

Nor Unio Mystica

I know not devotion

Nor the vows of abstinence

Thou art my Sole Refuge, O Mother !

Na Jaanaami Punnyam Na Jaanaami Tiirtha
Na Jaanaami Muktim Layam Vaa Kadaacit
Na Jaanaami Bhaktim Vratam Vaapi Maatar
Gatis-Tvam Gatis-Tvam Tvam-Ekaa Bhavaani

I am an evil doer

With an evil mind

I am servile

Without aristocracry

With bad words
With bad glances

Worried and suffering

Thou art my Sole Refuge, O Mother !

Ku-Karmii Ku-Sanggii Ku-Buddhih Kudaasah
Kula-[Aa]caara-Hiinah Kadaacaara-Liinah
Ku-Drssttih Ku-Vaakya-Prabandhah Sada-[A]ham
Gatis-Tvam Gatis-Tvam Tvam-Ekaa Bhavaani

I know not kings

Nor do I know anything Solar

Nor about Godhead

I always rely on Thee

Thou art my Sole Refuge, O Mother !

Prajesham Ramesham Mahesham Suresham
Dinesham Nishiitha-Ishvaram Vaa Kadaacit |
Na Jaanaami Caanyat Sadaham Sharannye
Gatis-Tvam Gatis-Tvam Tvam-Ekaa Bhavaani

I am controversial
Wherever I go

Away from domicile

Even in the midst

Of enemies

I rely on Thee

Even in forest

Thou art my Refuge

Be ever my Sanctuary

O Mother Celestial ! 

Vivaade Vissaade Pramaade Pravaase
Jale Ca-[A]nale Parvate Shatru-Madhye
Arannye Sharannye Sadaa Maam Prapaahi
Gatis-Tvam Gatis-Tvam Tvam-Ekaa Bhavaani

Orpah, without riches,

Susceptible to disease

Weak and suffering

Am I

Always worried

And struggling

My life is miserable

Be ever my Sanctuary

O Mother Celestial !

Anaatho Daridro Jaraa-Roga-Yukto
Mahaa-Kssiinna-Diinah Sadaa Jaaddya-Vaktrah
Vipattau Pravissttah Pranassttah Sadaaham
Gatis-Tvam Gatis-Tvam Tvam-Ekaa Bhavaani