Original text
॥ हनुमानाष्टक ॥ बाल समय रवि भक्षी लियो तब, तीनहुं लोक भयो अंधियारो। ताहि सों त्रास भयो जग को, यह संकट काहु सों जात न टारो। देवन आनि करी बिनती तब, छाड़ी दियो रवि कष्ट निवारो। को नहीं जानत है जग में कपि, संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥1॥ बालि की त्रास कपीस बसैं गिरि, जात महाप्रभु पंथ निहारो। चौंकि महामुनि साप दियो तब, चाहिए कौन बिचार बिचारो। कैद्विज रूप लिवाय महाप्रभु, सो तुम दास के सोक निवारो॥2॥ अंगद के संग लेन गए सिय, खोज कपीस यह बैन उचारो। जीवत ना बचिहौ हम सो जु, बिना सुधि लाये इहाँ पगु धारो। हेरी थके तट सिन्धु सबै तब, लाए सिया-सुधि प्राण उबारो॥3॥ रावण त्रास दई सिय को सब, राक्षसी सों कही सोक निवारो। ताहि समय हनुमान महाप्रभु, जाए महा रजनीचर मारो। चाहत सीय असोक सों आगि सु, दै प्रभुमुद्रिका सोक निवारो॥4॥ बान लग्यो उर लछिमन के तब, प्राण तजे सुत रावन मारो। लै गृह बैद्य सुषेन समेत, तबै गिरि द्रोण सु बीर उपारो। आनि सजीवन हाथ दई तब, लछिमन के तुम प्रान उबारो॥5॥ रावन युद्ध अजान कियो तब, नाग कि फाँस सबै सिर डारो। श्रीरघुनाथ समेत सबै दल, मोह भयो यह संकट भारो। आनि खगेस तबै हनुमान जु, बंधन काटि सुत्रास निवारो॥6॥ बंधु समेत जबै अहिरावन, लै रघुनाथ पताल सिधारो। देबिहिं पूजि भलि विधि सों बलि, देउ सबै मिलि मन्त्र विचारो। जाय सहाय भयो तब ही, अहिरावन सैन्य समेत संहारो॥7॥ काज किये बड़ देवन के तुम, बीर महाप्रभु देखि बिचारो। कौन सो संकट मोर गरीब को, जो तुमसे नहिं जात है टारो। बेगि हरो हनुमान महाप्रभु, जो कछु संकट होय हमारो॥8॥ ॥ दोहा ॥ लाल देह लाली लसे, अरु धरि लाल लंगूर। वज्र देह दानव दलन, जय जय जय कपि सूर॥
Transliteration
1. Baal Samay Ravi Bhakshi Liyo Tab, Teenhun Lok Bhayo Andhiyaro. Tahi Son Tras Bhayo Jag Ko, Yah Sankat Kahu Son Jaat Na Taro. Devan Aani Kari Binati Tab, Chhaadi Diyo Ravi Kasht Nivaro. Ko Nahin Janat Hai Jag Mein Kapi, Sankatmochan Naam Tiharo. 2. Baali Ki Tras Kapis Basain Giri, Jaat Mahaprabhu Panth Niharo. Chaunki Mahamuni Saap Diyo Tab, Chahiye Kaun Bichar Bicharo. Kaidwij Roop Livaay Mahaprabhu, So Tum Das Ke Sok Nivaro. 3. Angad Ke Sang Len Gaye Siya, Khoj Kapis Yah Bain Uchaaro. Jeevat Na Bachihau Ham So Ju, Bina Sudhi Laaye Ihaan Pagu Dharo. Heri Thake Tat Sindhu Sabai Tab, Laaye Siya-Sudhi Pran Ubaro. 4. Ravan Tras Dai Siya Ko Sab, Rakshasi Son Kahi Sok Nivaro. Tahi Samay Hanuman Mahaprabhu, Jaaye Maha Rajanichar Maaro. Chahat Seey Asok Son Aagi Su, Dai Prabhumudrika Sok Nivaro. 5. Baan Lagyo Ur Lachhiman Ke Tab, Pran Taje Sut Ravan Maaro. Lai Grih Baidya Sushen Samet, Tabai Giri Dron Su Beer Uparo. Aani Sajeevan Haath Dai Tab, Lachhiman Ke Tum Pran Ubaro. 6. Ravan Yuddh Ajaan Kiyo Tab, Naag Ki Phaans Sabai Sir Daaro. Shri Raghunath Samet Sabai Dal, Moh Bhayo Yah Sankat Bharo. Aani Khagesh Tabai Hanuman Ju, Bandhan Kaati Sutras Nivaro. 7. Bandhu Samet Jabai Ahiravan, Lai Raghunath Patal Sidharo. Debihin Pooji Bhali Vidhi Son Bali, Deu Sabai Mili Mantra Bicharo. Jaay Sahaay Bhayo Tab Hi, Ahiravan Sainya Samet Sanharo. 8. Kaaj Kiye Bad Devan Ke Tum, Beer Mahaprabhu Dekhi Bicharo. Kaun So Sankat Mor Gareeb Ko, Jo Tumse Nahin Jaat Hai Taro. Begi Haro Hanuman Mahaprabhu, Jo Kachhu Sankat Hoy Hamaro. Doha: Laal Deh Laali Lase, Aru Dhari Laal Langoor. Bajra Deh Danav Dalan, Jai Jai Jai Kapi Soor.
Eight verses, eight rescues
Unlike a hymn of general praise, the Hanuman Ashtak ("ashtak" meaning "eight") is built from eight verses, each recounting a specific moment where Hanuman intervened to resolve a crisis — which is exactly why it's reached for during real, pressing difficulty rather than as routine daily recitation.
The eight episodes
The verses move through: young Hanuman swallowing the sun mistaking it for fruit, plunging the world into darkness until the gods pleaded for its return; his exile on a mountain under Bali's fear, and sage Matanga's curse that indirectly protected him; searching for Sita with Angad and reporting back to a desperate Rama; finding Sita in Lanka and giving her Rama's ring to end her grief; the sanjeevani herb episode that revived Lakshmana after Meghnad's blow; freeing Rama's army from Nagpasha (serpent bonds) by invoking Garuda; descending to Patal to defeat Ahiravana and rescue Rama and Lakshmana; and a final direct appeal asking Hanuman to remove the devotee's own present difficulty just as he resolved each of these.
When it's recited
It's specifically recited during genuine hardship — illness, danger, legal or financial trouble — often alongside the Hanuman Chalisa and Bajrang Baan, rather than reserved for a fixed day or festival. Some devotees keep a regular practice of all three together during Hanuman Jayanti or a difficult stretch of Tuesdays and Saturdays.