The Annapurna Ashtakam praises Annapurna, whose name means she who is full of food, or who fills with food. She is a form of Parvati, the consort of Shiva, and in Kashi (Varanasi) she is remembered as the one who feeds the city. The hymn is attributed in tradition to Adi Shankaracharya, although scholars debate which stotras are his.
The shape of the hymn is easy to follow. Each of the first ten verses piles up titles and deeds of the goddess and then ends with the same two lines: queen of the city of Kashi, Mother Annapurneshvari, give alms. The refrain turns the poem into a begging bowl held out to her. Two short verses follow. One is the well-known prayer Annapurne sadapurne, and the last says that the devotee’s mother is Parvati, father Maheshvara, kin the devotees of Shiva, and homeland the three worlds.
On this page you will find all twelve verses in Devanagari, a simple transliteration and a meaning for each. If you enjoy the Shiva side of Kashi, the Kashi Panchakam reads the same city as the inner self.
The text, transliteration and meaning
The ten refrain verses share their last two lines, so the meanings below describe only what is different in each, then note the refrain in short.
Verse 1
नित्यानन्दकरी वराभयकरी सौन्दर्यरत्नाकरी
निर्धूताखिलघोरपावनकरी प्रत्यक्षमाहेश्वरी ।
प्रालेयाचलवंशपावनकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥
Nityanandakari varabhayakari saundaryaratnakari
Nirdhutakhilaghorapavanakari pratyakshamaheshvari
Praleyachalavamshapavanakari kashipuradhishvari
Bhiksham dehi kripavalambanakari matannapurneshvari
MeaningShe grants lasting bliss and, with her hands, the boon and the gift of fearlessness. She is an ocean of the jewel of beauty, removes every terrible fault and purifies, is the visible consort of Maheshvara, and sanctifies the line of the snow mountain. Queen of Kashi, mother Annapurneshvari, her support is compassion: give alms.
Verse 2
नानारत्नविचित्रभूषणकरी हेमाम्बराडम्बरी
मुक्ताहारविलम्बमानविलसद्वक्षोजकुम्भान्तरी ।
काश्मीरागरुवासिताङ्गरुचिरे काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥
Nanaratnavichitrabhushanakari hemambaradambari
Muktaharavilambamanavilasadvakshojakumbhantari
Kashmiragaruvasitangaruchire kashipuradhishvari
Bhiksham dehi kripavalambanakari matannapurneshvari
MeaningShe wears adornments set with many jewels and shines in golden garments, with long strings of pearls hanging over her bosom, her body perfumed with saffron and aloe. Queen of Kashi, mother Annapurneshvari, give alms.
Verse 3
योगानन्दकरी रिपुक्षयकरी धर्मैकनिष्ठाकरी
चन्द्रार्कानलभासमानलहरी त्रैलोक्यरक्षाकरी ।
सर्वैश्वर्यकरी तपः फलकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥
Yoganandakari ripukshayakari dharmaikanishthakari
Chandrarkanalabhasamanalahari trailokyarakshakari
Sarvaishvaryakari tapah phalakari kashipuradhishvari
Bhiksham dehi kripavalambanakari matannapurneshvari
MeaningShe grants the joy of yoga, ends the hold of enemies, establishes firm devotion to dharma, and gleams like a wave of the light of moon, sun and fire. She protects the three worlds, grants all prosperity and the fruit of austerity. Queen of Kashi, give alms.
Verse 4
कैलासाचलकन्दरालयकरी गौरी ह्युमाशङ्करी
कौमारी निगमार्थगोचरकरी ह्योंकारबीजाक्षरी ।
मोक्षद्वारकवाटपाटनकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥
Kailasachalakandaralayakari gauri hyumashankari
Kaumari nigamarthagocharakari hyonkarabijakshari
Mokshadvarakavatapatanakari kashipuradhishvari
Bhiksham dehi kripavalambanakari matannapurneshvari
MeaningShe dwells in the caves of Mount Kailasa and is Gauri, Uma and Shankari, the maiden Kaumari. She is the one the meaning of the Vedas points to and the seed syllable of the sacred sound hrim, the one who opens the doors of liberation. Queen of Kashi, give alms.
Verse 5
दृश्यादृश्यविभूतिवाहनकरी ब्रह्माण्डभाण्डोदरी
लीलानाटकसूत्रखेलनकरी विज्ञानदीपाङ्कुरी ।
श्रीविश्वेशमनःप्रसादनकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥
Drishyadrishyavibhutivahanakari brahmandabhandodari
Lilanatakasutrakhelanakari vijnanadipankuri
Shrivishveshamanahprasadanakari kashipuradhishvari
Bhiksham dehi kripavalambanakari matannapurneshvari
MeaningShe carries the splendour of all that is seen and unseen, and the whole universe is in her womb. She plays with the strings of the drama of divine sport, is the sprouting lamp of higher knowledge, and gladdens the mind of Shri Vishvesha. Queen of Kashi, give alms.
Verse 6
आदिक्षान्तसमस्तवर्णनकरी शंभुप्रिया शाङ्करी
काश्मीरत्रिपुरेश्वरी त्रिनयनी विश्वेश्वरी शर्वरी ।
स्वर्गद्वारकवाटपाटनकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥
Adikshantasamastavarnanakari shambhupriya shankari
Kashmiratripureshvari trinayani vishveshvari sharvari
Svargadvarakavatapatanakari kashipuradhishvari
Bhiksham dehi kripavalambanakari matannapurneshvari
MeaningShe gives voice to every letter from the first to the last, is the beloved of Shambhu, Shankari, the Tripura queen of Kashmir, three-eyed and mistress of the universe, who opens the doors of heaven. Queen of Kashi, give alms.
Verse 7
उर्वीसर्वजनेश्वरी जयकरी माता कृपासागरी
नारीनीलसमानकुन्तलधरी नित्यान्नदानेश्वरी।
साक्षान्मोक्षकरी सदा शुभकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥
Urvisarvajaneshvari jayakari mata kripasagari
Narinilasamanakuntaladhari nityannadaneshvari
Sakshanmokshakari sada shubhakari kashipuradhishvari
Bhiksham dehi kripavalambanakari matannapurneshvari
MeaningShe is queen of all people on earth, the giver of victory, a mother and an ocean of mercy, her hair dark as deep blue. She is the sovereign of unfailing gifts of food, who grants liberation itself and brings good at all times. Queen of Kashi, give alms.
Verse 8
देवी सर्वविचित्ररत्नरचिता दाक्षायणी सुन्दरी
वामा स्वादुपयोधरा प्रियकरी सौभाग्यमाहेश्वरी ।
भक्ताभीष्टकरी सदा शुभकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥
Devi sarvavichitraratnarachita dakshayani sundari
Vama svadupayodhara priyakari saubhagyamaheshvari
Bhaktabhishtakari sada shubhakari kashipuradhishvari
Bhiksham dehi kripavalambanakari matannapurneshvari
MeaningShe is the goddess adorned with every wondrous jewel, daughter of Daksha, lovely, gracious, a giver of what is dear, the fortune of Maheshvara. She fulfils what her devotees wish for and always does good. Queen of Kashi, give alms.
Verse 9
चन्द्रार्कानलकोटिकोटिसदृशी चन्द्रांशुबिम्बाधरी
चन्द्रार्काग्निसमानकुण्डलधरी चन्द्रार्कवर्णेश्वरी ।
मालापुस्तकपाशसाङ्कुशधरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्न पूर्णेश्वरी ॥
Chandrarkanalakotikotisadrishi chandramshubimbadhari
Chandrarkagnisamanakundaladhari chandrarkavarneshvari
Malapustakapashasankushadhari kashipuradhishvari
Bhiksham dehi kripavalambanakari matanna purneshvari
MeaningShe shines like crores upon crores of moons, suns and fires, her lips like the disc of a moonbeam, her earrings bright as moon, sun and fire. She holds a rosary, a book, a noose and a goad. Queen of Kashi, give alms.
Verse 10
क्षत्रत्राणकरी महाभयहरी माता कृपासागरी
सर्वानन्दकरी सदा शिवकरी विश्वेश्वरी श्रीधरी ।
दक्षाक्रन्दकरी निरामयकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥
Kshatratranakari mahabhayahari mata kripasagari
Sarvanandakari sada shivakari vishveshvari shridhari
Dakshakrandakari niramayakari kashipuradhishvari
Bhiksham dehi kripavalambanakari matannapurneshvari
MeaningShe guards the brave, removes great fear, is a mother and an ocean of mercy. She gives joy to all, always does good, is mistress of the universe and bearer of Shri. She is the one who made Daksha cry out, and she brings freedom from affliction. Queen of Kashi, mother Annapurneshvari, give alms.
Verse 11
अन्नपूर्णे सदापूर्णे
शङ्करप्राणवल्लभे ।
ज्ञानवैराग्यसिध्यर्थं
भिक्षां देहि च पार्वति ॥
Annapurne sadapurne
Shankarapranavallabhe
Jnanavairagyasidhyartham
Bhiksham dehi cha parvati
MeaningAnnapurna, ever full, dearer than life to Shankara: for the attainment of knowledge and of dispassion, give alms, Parvati.
Verse 12
माता च पार्वतीदेवी
पिता देवो महेश्वरः ।
बान्धवाः शिवभक्ताश्च
स्वदेशो भुवनत्रयम् ॥
Mata cha parvatidevi
Pita devo maheshvarah
Bandhavah shivabhaktashcha
Svadesho bhuvanatrayam
MeaningMy mother is the goddess Parvati and my father is the lord Maheshvara. My kin are the devotees of Shiva, and my homeland is the three worlds.
Text: Sanskrit Wikisource, page “अन्नपूर्णाष्टकम्” (a transcription of the printed book शङ्कराचार्यविरचितानि स्तोत्राणि (द्वितीयः भागः), pages 87 to 90). Transliteration is simplified; meanings are our own. Verse numbers appear as labels above each verse.
When and how it is traditionally recited
Devotees in Kashi and across India turn to Annapurna in the kitchen as well as the temple. Many families offer a little prayer before a meal, and some recite this ashtakam on a Friday or during the nine nights of Sharad Navratri, when the goddess is worshipped in many forms. Dates for that festival are on its own page.
A common order is to light a lamp, offer a few grains or a little cooked food, recite the twelve verses once, and finish with the Annapurne sadapurne verse. Because verses one to ten repeat their last two lines, groups often sing the refrain together while a leader sings the first lines. Customs differ by region and family.
Some people chant only the eleventh verse as a short daily prayer at mealtime. That is a custom, not an instruction, and any sincere, simple form is acceptable in the tradition.
What the tradition says it is for
Tradition holds Annapurna to be the mother who feeds, so the hymn is associated with gratitude for food and with the wish that no household or guest goes hungry. The refrain is a request for alms (bhiksha), which suits a goddess whose gift is food.
The eleventh verse changes the request. Here the alms asked for are knowledge (jnana) and dispassion (vairagya), not food. Many teachers point to this verse as the real heart of the hymn: the goddess who fills the body is also asked to fill the mind.
Words such as removing enemies, granting victory and bringing freedom from affliction appear in the verses as titles of the goddess, in the style of old praise poems. They are devotion, not promises, and the hymn is no substitute for medical or financial advice.
Pronunciation notes
Each verse is long and rhythmic, so the first step is to find the beat of the refrain: bhiksham dehi kripavalambanakari matannapurneshvari. The bh in bhiksham is a breathy b, the sh is as in ship, and the final m is a soft hum. Long words are best read in chunks, for example nit-ya-nan-da-ka-ri.
The compound endings in -kari and -shvari carry a long final i, so hold them slightly. In the fourth verse the source prints the seed syllable in an unusual spelling, and we show it as it stands; if you chant, follow your teacher’s way of saying the hrim sound. Visarga at the end of a word, as in tapah, is a light echo of the vowel.
Related mantras and pages
- Kashi Panchakam: another hymn on the city of Kashi
- Durga Chalisa: a Hindi hymn that also names Annapurna
- Kanakadhara Stotram: a Shankaracharya-attributed hymn to Lakshmi
- Sharad Navratri: the nine nights of goddess worship
- Bhavani Ashtakam: another eight-verse prayer to the Mother
- All mantras, stotras, chalisas and aartis
Frequently asked questions
↳ Who is Annapurna?
Annapurna is the goddess of food and nourishment, a form of Parvati, and the presiding deity of Kashi in many devotional traditions. The name means she who is full of food.
↳ What does Bhiksham Dehi mean?
Bhiksham dehi means give alms. In the refrain the devotee holds out an imaginary bowl to the goddess. The last two verses show that the thing asked for can also be knowledge and dispassion.
↳ Who composed the Annapurna Ashtakam?
It is attributed in tradition to Adi Shankaracharya. Scholars debate which stotras are his, so it is best described as attributed to him.
↳ When should I recite the Annapurna Ashtakam?
Many people recite it on Fridays, at festival times, or before cooking and eating. There is no single rule and families follow their own customs.
↳ What is the meaning of Annapurne sadapurne?
It is the eleventh verse. It addresses Annapurna, ever full and dear to Shankara, and asks her for alms so that knowledge and dispassion may be attained. Many devotees recite it on its own as a short prayer.