Sri Sakashta nasanam sankatashtakam.

Sri Sakashta nasanam sankatashtakam.

(the octet on Sankata  Devi which removes sorrow)

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

(Sankata Devi Benares removes all sorrows. Here  is  a short prayer which ensures that  all our sorrows are removed.)

Om NaradhaUvacha:-

Om Narada said:-

1.Jaigeeshavya munisreshta , Sarvagna sukha dayaka,

Aakhyathaani  supunyaani  kruthani  thwath pradatha,

Please hear   the story of the great Jaigheeshavya , who was knower of all

And  who gave happiness, due to   the blessed deeds     done by you.

2.Na trupthim adhi gachami  thava thava bagamruthena cha,

Vathasvaikam  Maha Bhaga  sankatakhyana muthamam,

When told that I am not getting satisfaction in spite of  hearing your nectar like words,

That great one  related about  the story of Sankata which is great.

3.Ithi Thasya vacha sruthwaJaigeebhavyo abravaeeth thadha,

SAngashta   nasanam stotram , srunu   devarshi sathama.

Hearingthese words  that Jaigheeshavya  then told,

The prayer to remove sorrows  , and hear about it Oh deva sage.

4.Dwapare thu prura vruthe brashta rajyo Yudhishtira,

Brathrubhi sahitho rajya nirvedam param gatha.

Early in the Dwapara age   Yudhishtra was banished from his kingdom ,

Along with his brothers  and he  had to go out of his country.

5.THadaneem tuhu  thadha  Kasi pureem  yadho Mahamuni,

Markandeya ithi khyatha saha sishyair maha yasa.

Then he went to the city of  Benares   where the great sage,

Markandeya  who was very famous was living with his disciples.

6.Tham drushtwaa sa samuthaya pranpathya supoojitha,

Kimartham mlana vadhana yethathwam maam nivedaya.

Seeing him , he stood  , saluted and worshipped him,

What is the need for a sorrowful face  ,please tell me the reason.

Yudhishtra Uvacha:-

Yudhishtra told:-

7.Sankashtam may mahath   prapthamm medath   dug vadanam thadhaa,

Yethan nivarenaabhyaam  kinchith bruhi maha mune .

A great  misery of sorrow has come to me   and hence my face is like that,

For   curing that, Oh great sage , please   tell something to me.

Markandeya Uvacha:-

Markandeya told:-

8. Ananda kanane devi Sankataa nama visruthaa,

Veereswaothare  bhage  chandreswarasya cha.

In this forest of joy(Benares)   thereis a famous Goddess called Sankata,

And she is to the north of Veereswara and east of Chadreswara.

9.Srunu Nama ashtakam  thasyaa  sarva sidhikaram nrunaam,

Sankata pradamam nama  , dwitheeyam Vijaya thadhaa.

Please hear   her  eight names which speedily   grants you  solution to your problems,

First is destroyer of sorrows, second it is giver of victories.

10.Thrutheeyam Kamadhaa proktham  Chathurtham Dukha harini,

Sarvaani  Panchamam  nama , Sashtam kathyayini  thadhaa.

Third is the fulfiller of desires  , fourth   is the destroyer of aorrow,

Fifth is fulfiller of everything    and sixth it is Kathyayani.(daughter of Kathyayana)

11.SApthamam Bheema nayana  , SArva roga hara ashtamam,

Naamashtakam idham punyam trisandhyam   sradhayanvidha.

Seventh is the large eyed one and eighth  it is  destroyer of all diseases,

These eight  blessed names are  to be repeated at dawn , noon and dusk  with   belief.

12.Ya padeth yedhyabhi naro muchyathe sankadath,

Ithyukthwa   thu  dwija sreshtam rubir Varanasinm yayou.

If this is read like this   one would    get rid of sorrow,

Saying this  that great Brahmin stood up and went to Benares.

13.Ithi thasya vacha sruthwa  Naradho Harsha nirbhara,

 Thadha sampoojithaam devim  Veereswara samanvitham,

Hearing these   words Narada was filled with great joy  .

And then worshipped   the Goddess along with Veerswara,

14.Bhujaisthu dasabhir yukthaam loka Chandra bhooshithaam,

Mala kamndalu yutham , padma sankha gadhayudhaam.

She with her ten hands  was holding   the moon,

Garland  , water pot  , lotus flower  ,  conch and the mace

15. Trisoola damarudharaam   Gadaga charma vibhooshithaam,

Varadhabhaya hastham  tham pranamya  vidhi nandana.

She was holding trident , small drum  , sword   leater ,

And was showing  hand in  blessing  and protection,

And she was saluted by   that son of Brahma.

16.Vara thrayam graheethwa thu thadho  Vishnupuram yayou,

Yethad stotrasya   padapadanam puthra  pouthram vivardanam.

After getting three boons, That saint went back to the place of Lord Vishnu,

And if this prayer   is read their number odf sons and grand sons would increase.

17.  Sankashta nasanam    chaiva  trilokeshu visrutham  ,

Gopaneeyam  prayathnena  Maha vandhya  prasoothi kruth

This prayer which is famous in the three worlds as   destroyer of sorrow

Which is secret  . if  recited would make a narren woman bear sons.

Ithi Padma purane  Sankashta  nasanam  SAkadashtakam sampoornam

Thus ends the octet  on Sankata which removes sorrow which occurs in PadmaPurana.