Hanuman Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram
हनुमान् अष्टोत्तरशतनाम स्तोत्रम्
What is the Hanuman Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram?
Hanuman Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram The Hanuman Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram is a Sanskrit hymn that praises Lord Hanuman through 108 of his names, woven into flowing shlokas rather than a plain list. Each name recalls something he did or embodied – his strength, his devotion to Rama, his leap across the ocean to Lanka. Devotees recite it for courage, protection, and steady focus, especially on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Hanuman Jayanti.
If you have ever wanted a single prayer that gathers the whole story of Hanuman into a few minutes of chanting, this is it. The Hanuman Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram strings together 108 of his names, and each one is a little doorway into a moment from his life: the boy who mistook the sun for a ripe fruit, the warrior who set Lanka ablaze, the friend who carried a whole mountain of healing herbs across the night sky.Unlike a bare namavali where you simply say Om … namah after each name, the stotram form lets the names run together as verse. That makes it easier to memorise and, honestly, far more moving to recite aloud. People reach for it when they need a shot of courage before something hard, when a house feels heavy, or just as a Tuesday habit that keeps the mind pointed in the right direction.
Hanuman Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram (Sanskrit & English)
Verses 1 to 20 hold the 108 names of Hanuman; verse 21 is the closing dedication to Sita and Rama. The Roman column is a reading aid – the Devanagari is the text to chant.
Anjaneyo mahaviro hanumanmarutatmajah
tattvajnanapradah sitadevimudrapradayakah
आञ्जनेयो महावीरो हनुमान्मारुतात्मजः।
तत्त्वज्ञानप्रदः सीतादेवीमुद्राप्रदायकः॥
Meaning
The opening names place him at once: Anjaneya, son of Anjana; the great hero; child of the wind god. Two of them look inward and outward together – he grants his devotees the knowledge of truth (tattva-jnana), and he is the one who carried Rama's signet ring to Sita in her captivity.
Ashokavanikacchetta sarvamayavibhanjanah
sarvabandhavimokta cha rakshovidhvamsakarakah
अशोकवनिकाच्छेत्ता सर्वमायाविभञ्जनः।
सर्वबन्धविमोक्ता च रक्षोविध्वंसकारकः॥
Meaning
Here he is the disruptor of evil: the one who tore up the Ashoka grove where Sita was held, who shatters every kind of illusion and dark magic, frees his devotees from all bonds, and lays waste to the ranks of the rakshasas.
Paravidyapariharah parashauryavinashanah
paramantranirakarta parayantraprabhedakah
परविद्यापरीहारः परशौर्यविनाशनः।
परमन्त्रनिराकर्ता परयन्त्रप्रभेदकः॥
Meaning
Four names about undoing hostile power – he cancels enemy spells, saps their courage, nullifies their mantras, and splits apart their yantras. This cluster is exactly why the stotram is trusted for protection.
Sarvagrahavinashi cha bhimasenasahayakrit
sarvaduhkhaharah sarvalokachari manojavah
सर्वग्रहविनाशी च भीमसेनसहायकृत्।
सर्वदुःखहरः सर्वलोकचारी मनोजवः॥
Meaning
He loosens the malefic grip of the grahas, once came to Bhima's aid, and lifts every sorrow. Two names catch his speed – he ranges freely through all the worlds, quick as a thought.
Parijatadrumulasthah sarvamantrasvarupavan
sarvatantrasvarupi cha sarvayantratmakastatha
पारिजातद्रुमूलस्थः सर्वमन्त्रस्वरूपवान्।
सर्वतन्त्रस्वरूपी च सर्वयन्त्रात्मकस्तथा॥
Meaning
Now the hymn turns cosmic: seated at the root of the celestial Parijata tree, he is named the living form of every mantra, every tantra, and every yantra – the whole sacred craft of worship made personal.
Kapishvaro mahakayah sarvarogaharah prabhuh
balasiddhikarah sarvavidyasampatpradayakah
कपीश्वरो महाकायः सर्वरोगहरः प्रभुः।
बलसिद्धिकरः सर्वविद्यासम्पत्प्रदायकः॥
Meaning
As lord of the vanaras and master of an immense form, he is called the remover of every disease and the giver of strength, spiritual attainment, and the wealth of all learning – a favourite set of names for anyone praying over health or study.
Kapisenanayakashcha bhavishyachchaturananah
kumarabrahmachari cha ratnakundaladiptiman
कपिसेनानायकश्च भविष्यच्चतुराननः।
कुमारब्रह्मचारी च रत्नकुण्डलदीप्तिमान्॥
Meaning
He leads the monkey army, is called four-faced and knowing of what is to come, keeps a lifelong brahmacharya, and gleams with jewelled earrings – power and purity held in the same breath.
Sanchaladvalasannaddhalambamanashikhojjvalah
gandharvavidyatattvajno mahabalaparakramah
सञ्चलद्वालसन्नद्धलम्बमानशिखोज्ज्वलः।
गन्धर्वविद्यातत्त्वज्ञो महाबलपराक्रमः॥
Meaning
A vivid picture-name leads: his long tail swinging, coiled and ready, his crest of hair aglow. Then he is honoured as a master of the gandharva arts of music, and as one whose strength and daring have no equal.
Karagrihavimokta cha shrinkhalabandhamochakah
sagarottarakah prajno ramadutah pratapavan
कारागृहविमोक्ता च शृङ्खलाबन्धमोचकः।
सागरोत्तारकः प्राज्ञो रामदूतः प्रतापवान्॥
Meaning
These names free and carry: he opens prison doors and strikes off chains, he leaped clear across the ocean, and he is the wise, glorious envoy of Rama – the Ramaduta whose name devotees love most.
Vanarah kesarisutah sitashokanivarakah
anjanagarbhasambhuto balarkasadrishananah
वानरः केसरिसुतः सीताशोकनिवारकः।
अञ्जनागर्भसम्भूतो बालार्कसदृशाननः॥
Meaning
Back to his origins and his tenderness: the vanara, son of Kesari, born of Anjana, his face bright as the young morning sun – and, movingly, the one who took away Sita's grief the moment he found her.
Vibhishanapriyakaro dashagrivakulantakah
lakshmanapranadata cha vajrakayo mahadyutih
विभीषणप्रियकरो दशग्रीवकुलान्तकः।
लक्ष्मणप्राणदाता च वज्रकायो महाद्युतिः॥
Meaning
He befriends and he saves – kind to Vibhishana, the undoing of ten-headed Ravana's whole line, the one who brought Lakshmana back to life. His body is hard as a vajra and blazes with light.
Chiranjivi ramabhakto daityakaryavighatakah
akshahanta kanchanabhah panchavaktro mahatapah
चिरञ्जीवी रामभक्तो दैत्यकार्यविघातकः।
अक्षहन्ता काञ्चनाभः पञ्चवक्त्रो महातपाः॥
Meaning
Among the best-loved names: Chiranjivi, the deathless one still present in the world, and Ramabhakta, Rama's devotee above all others. He wrecks the demons' schemes, slew Aksha, shines golden, appears in his five-faced form, and is deep in tapas.
Lankinibhanjanah shriman simhikapranabhanjanah
gandhamadanashailastho lankapuravidahakah
लङ्किणीभञ्जनः श्रीमान् सिंहिकाप्राणभञ्जनः।
गन्धमादनशैलस्थो लङ्कापुरविदाहकः॥
Meaning
The Lanka episode in miniature: he struck down Lankini at the city gate and killed the shadow-catching Simhika at sea, he abides on Mount Gandhamadana, and famously set the city of Lanka ablaze.
Sugrivasachivo dhirah shuro daityakulantakah
surarchito mahateja ramachudamanipradah
सुग्रीवसचिवो धीरः शूरो दैत्यकुलान्तकः।
सुरार्चितो महातेजा रामचूडामणिप्रदः॥
Meaning
As Sugriva's steady, brave counsellor and the bane of the demon clans, he is worshipped even by the gods. One touching name closes the verse – he who carried Sita's chudamani (crest jewel) back to Rama as proof that he had found her.
Kamarupi pingalaksho vardhimainakapujitah
kabalikritamartandamandalo vijitendriyah
कामरूपी पिङ्गलाक्षो वार्धिमैनाकपूजितः।
कबलीकृतमार्तण्डमण्डलो विजितेन्द्रियः॥
Meaning
He takes any shape at will and has tawny eyes; the ocean and Mount Mainaka paid him honour on his flight; as a child he seized the sun's disc as though to swallow it – and for all that raw power he has completely mastered his senses.
Ramasugrivasandhata maharavanamardanah
sphatikabho vagadhisho navavyakritipanditah
रामसुग्रीवसन्धाता महारावणमर्दनः।
स्फटिकाभो वागधीशो नवव्याकृतिपण्डितः॥
Meaning
A diplomat and a scholar too: he brought Rama and Sugriva together, crushed mighty Ravana, shines like crystal, and is master of speech, learned in the nine schools of grammar – Hanuman the eloquent.
Chaturbahurdinabandhurmahatma bhaktavatsalah
sanjivananagaharta shuchirvagmi dridhavratah
चतुर्बाहुर्दीनबन्धुर्महात्मा भक्तवत्सलः।
सञ्जीवननगाहर्ता शुचिर्वाग्मी दृढव्रतः॥
Meaning
Warm, human names gather here: four-armed, friend of the helpless, great of soul, tender toward those who love him. And the unforgettable one – Sanjivananagaharta, who lifted the entire mountain of healing herbs. Pure, eloquent, and unshakeable in his vows.
Kalanemipramathano harimarkatamarkatah
dantah shantah prasannatma shatakanthamadapahrit
कालनेमिप्रमथनो हरिमर्कटमर्कटः।
दान्तः शान्तः प्रसन्नात्मा शतकण्ठमदापहृत्॥
Meaning
He foiled the demon Kalanemi sent to delay him, and he is the foremost among all the vanaras. Then three gentle names – self-controlled, serene, glad of heart – before the last, which humbles the pride of the many-headed foe.
Yogi ramakathalolah sitanveshanapanditah
vajradamshtro vajranakho rudraviryasamudbhavah
योगी रामकथालोलः सीतान्वेषणपण्डितः।
वज्रदंष्ट्रो वज्रनखो रुद्रवीर्यसमुद्भवः॥
Meaning
His inner life shows through: a true yogi who loses himself in the story of Rama and who found Sita when no one else could. Then his fierce side – fangs and claws like the vajra – and his origin as an amsha of Rudra himself.
Indrajitprahitamoghabrahmastravinivarakah
parthadhvajagrasamvasi sharapanjarabhedakah
इन्द्रजित्प्रहितामोघब्रह्मास्त्रविनिवारकः।
पार्थध्वजाग्रसंवासी शरपञ्जरभेदकः॥
Meaning
Three feats close the naming: he withstood the unfailing Brahmastra that Indrajit hurled, he rides on the crest of Arjuna's banner in the Mahabharata, and he breaks apart the cage of arrows – a quiet bridge between the Ramayana and the age that followed.
Dashabahulokapujyo jambavatpritivardhanah
sitasameta shriramabhadrapujadhurandhara
दशबाहुलोर्कपूज्यो जाम्बवत्प्रीतिवर्धनः।
सीतासमेत श्रीरामभद्रपूजाधुरन्धर॥
Meaning
The final verse turns to blessing and dedication: worshipped by the world, the one who gladdened old Jambavan, and above all the foremost servant in the worship of Sri Rama seated with Sita. The hymn then closes with the traditional line that marks it complete.
Meaning & Significance
Read straight through, the 108 names fall into a few natural groups. One cluster names his origins – Anjaneya (son of Anjana), Kesarisuta (son of Kesari), Marutatmaja (child of the wind). Another celebrates raw power: Mahavira, Mahabala, Vajrakaya, the one whose body is hard as a thunderbolt.
Then come the names tied directly to the Ramayana. He is Ramaduta, Rama’s envoy; Sitashokanivaraka, who lifts Sita’s grief; Lankapuravidahaka, who burned Lanka; Sanjivananagaharta, who tore up the mountain to fetch the life-giving herb for Lakshmana. A quieter thread names his inner life – Yogi, Danta and Shanta (self-controlled and serene), Brahmachari, Jitendriya (master of the senses). Put together, the names make one simple point: strength counts for little without devotion, and here devotion has a face and a story.
How to Chant the Hanuman Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram
- Settle first – Bathe, sit facing east or north near an image of Hanuman, and take a few slow breaths so the mind is quiet before you begin.
- Light a lamp – A ghee or sesame-oil lamp and a stick of incense help mark the space. A red flower or a garland is a lovely touch if you have one.
- Start with Rama – Begin by remembering Sri Rama and offering a short pranam to Hanuman – he loves nothing more than his Lord's name, so this sets the right tone.
- Chant clearly – Read the shlokas at an even, unhurried pace. If the Sanskrit is new to you, follow the Roman line to hold the rhythm, then let your eyes return to the Devanagari.
- Close and sit – End with the final dedication and 'Jai Shri Ram', then stay seated a moment before you rush off. Sindoor and a simple sweet like boondi or jaggery make a fitting offering.
What Are the Benefits of Chanting?
Regular recitation is said to steady the nerves and clear away the small fears that pile up over a week. Here is what devotees most often associate with it.
- Courage under pressure: Hanuman is the patron of fearlessness, and reciting his 108 names is a traditional way to steel yourself before exams, interviews, surgery, or any moment that ties the stomach in knots.
- Protection from negativity: The names about breaking spells, curses, and hostile yantras are why families turn to this stotram when a home or a person feels troubled or unsettled.
- Relief during Saturn phases: Because Hanuman is closely linked with Shani, many recite this on Saturdays to soften the pressure of a difficult Saturn period such as Sade Sati.
- Strength and health: The names calling him remover of disease and giver of strength make it a favourite prayer for physical vitality and for recovery from illness.
- Focus and self-control: The names praising his restraint and his one-pointed devotion make it a quiet aid for anyone trying to build discipline or steady a scattered mind.
- Confidence to finish: As the messenger who did the impossible, Hanuman is invoked for the resolve to see hard tasks and long plans all the way through.
Who Composed This Stotram?
The 108 names, or ashtottara shatanama, is one of the oldest and most loved ways Hindus worship a deity, and Hanuman has several such collections. This stotram version arranges the names into shlokas so they can be sung rather than counted off one by one. You will also find the very same names set out as an ashtottara shatanamavali, where each name is chanted on its own with Om in front and namah after – handy for archana with flowers or kumkum.
This particular recension is traditionally traced to the Kalika Rahasya and draws almost entirely on the Ramayana and on Hanuman’s place in later devotional lore, which is why chanting it feels like walking through his whole life. The exact wording shifts a little between regions, so do not be thrown if a printed copy at your local temple orders a verse or two differently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hanuman Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram?
It is a Sanskrit hymn that praises Lord Hanuman through 108 of his names arranged as verse. Each name points to a quality or a deed – his strength, his devotion to Rama, his leap across the ocean – so reciting it is a compact way of remembering his entire story.
What is the difference between the stotram and the ashtottara shatanamavali?
The content is the same 108 names. In the stotram they flow together as shlokas that you chant as continuous verse. In the namavali each name is said on its own, with 'Om' before it and 'namah' after, which suits ritual worship where you offer a flower or kumkum on every name.
When should I chant the Hanuman Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram?
Tuesday and Saturday are the days most linked with Hanuman, and early morning after a bath is ideal. Many also recite it on Hanuman Jayanti and during hard stretches when they want extra courage or protection.
What are the benefits of reciting the 108 names of Hanuman?
Devotees associate it with courage, protection from negativity and black magic, relief during difficult Saturn (Shani) phases, better health, and the steadiness to finish demanding tasks. More than any single outcome, regular chanting is meant to keep the mind calm and focused.
Do I need to understand Sanskrit to recite it?
No. Sincere, careful chanting matters far more than a scholar's grasp of grammar. Use the Roman transliteration to get the pronunciation flowing, and let the meanings deepen your feeling for the words over time.
How many verses does it have?
This common recension has 21 shlokas. The first twenty carry the 108 names, and the last is a closing dedication to Sita and Rama, followed by the traditional 'iti' line that marks the hymn as complete.
॥ जय श्री राम ॥