Bhramaramba Ashtakam — Benefits & How to Chant
भ्रमराम्बाष्टकम्
Complete guide to chanting correctly for maximum benefit
Benefits of Chanting Bhramaramba Ashtakam
Invokes Bhramaramba of Srisailam, one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, in a concise eight-verse form
The fourth verse prays to the Goddess as the remover of the six inner foes (lust, anger, greed, delusion, pride, envy)
Cultivates devotion and meditative visualisation of the Divine Mother (each verse is a 'bhavaye'
'I meditate')
Aids inner ascent, describing the Goddess as present in the six chakras and the Sri Chakra
Believed to bestow protection, prosperity (Shri-prada) and the Mother's all-encompassing grace
Especially powerful for pilgrims and devotees of the Srisailam Mallikarjuna-Bhramaramba kshetra
Its rich Sanskrit and alliteration (the 'ga' and 'sha' verses) make it a beloved hymn for chanting
How to Chant Bhramaramba Ashtakam
Instructions
Recite the eight verses seated before an image of Bhramaramba or the Devi, ideally after a bath and lighting a lamp, offering kumkum and flowers. Each verse is a meditation ('bhavaye') — visualise the Mother as described, dwelling at Srisailam, present in the chakras and the Sri Chakra. The hymn may be recited once or 3, 9 or 11 times. It is especially auspicious during a pilgrimage to the Srisailam Shakti Peetha.
Spiritual Significance
According to the Devi Mahatmya and local tradition, when the demon Arunasura — invincible against all two- and four-legged creatures — terrorised the worlds, the Goddess assumed the form of countless bees (bhramara) and destroyed him, thus becoming Bhramaramba. Devotees hold that meditating on her through this Ashtakam at Srisailam dissolves the six inner enemies and grants the Mother's swift protection.
Origin & History
Source: Devotional hymn attributed to Adi Shankaracharya (associated with the Srisailam Shakti Peetha)
Author: Adi Shankaracharya
Srisailam, on the banks of the Krishna river in Andhra Pradesh, is unique as both a Jyotirlinga (Mallikarjuna) and a Maha Shakti Peetha (Bhramaramba). The Goddess is celebrated as Bhramari, who took the form of a swarm of bees to slay the demon Arunasura. Adi Shankaracharya, on his pilgrimage to this great kshetra, is traditionally said to have composed the Bhramaramba Ashtakam in her praise, weaving together her beauty, her presence in the Sri Vidya tradition, and her identity with the cosmic Mother.