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Annapurna Ashtakam In Sanskrit PDF Free Download-अन्नपूर्णाष्टकम्
Description:
Annapurna Ashtakam (अन्नपूर्णाष्टकम्) – sacred eight-verse hymn to Goddess Annapurna: meaning, benefits, how & when to chant, and complete pooja guide.
Introduction to अन्नपूर्णाष्टकम् | Annapurna Ashtakam
The Annapurna Ashtakam is a divine eight-verse stotra dedicated to अन्नपूर्णा देवी (Goddess Annapurna) — the supreme Mother of nourishment and the cosmic granter of abundance. The very name “Annapurna” (Anna = food/grain, purna = full/complete) signifies that She is the one who fills the universe with sustenance, grace, and fullness. Composed in Sanskrit (and attributed to Adi Shankaracharya) (Siddha Yoga path website), these eight verses encapsulate profound devotion, metaphysical meaning and everyday blessings. When one recites the Annapurna Ashtakam, the mundane act of eating, giving and living is elevated to a spiritual offering — reminding us that even food is sacred and the Divine Mother is the ultimate giver of all bounty.
Which Deity Does This Stotra Denote?
Who is Goddess Annapurna?
Goddess Annapurna is a manifestation of पार्वती माता, the consort of शिव. She is revered as the Divine Mother who sustains all living beings by the gift of food (anna), knowledge and liberation. (Wikipedia) According to legend, when the world lost its nourishment, She manifested in Kashi (Varanasi) and offered alms to Shiva himself, reinforcing that true alms (भिक्षा) is the grace of the Divine. She is worshipped for both secular needs (food, abundance, prosperity) and spiritual goals (knowledge, renunciation, liberation). In the Annapurna Ashtakam, She is described as “पतिवल्लभे” (prana-vallabhe of Shiva) and “ज्ञान-वैराग्य-सिद्ध्यर्थं भिक्षां देहि च पार्वती” (grant alms for knowledge & renunciation) in the final verse. (Sanskrit Documents)
Benefits of Reading अन्नपूर्णाष्टकम्
Reciting the Annapurna Ashtakam regularly brings a combination of worldly and spiritual benefits:
Abundance & Nourishment: As She is the giver of food, reading this invites sustenance, plenty, and relief from hunger and lack.
Purification & Protection: The hymn’s descriptions of Her attributes (ghora-pavana-kari, yogānanda-kari, etc.) point to removal of fears, negativity and inner hunger. (vignanam.org)
Knowledge & Renunciation: The final verse emphasises attaining jñāna and vairāgya (knowledge & detachment) through Her grace.
Spiritual Elevation: As She is the Lord of Kashi and the presiding deity of the universe, reading this stotra aligns the devotee with higher consciousness.
Holistic Blessing: Unlike hymns only for wealth or protection, this covers material sustenance, mental peace, and spiritual liberation — an integrative blessing.
A rarely noted aspect: This hymn is often used by householders and ascetics alike — bridging the path of karma (active duty) and jñāna (wisdom).
Process of Reading अन्नपूर्णाष्टकम् (How to Chant It)
Here’s a suggested method for sincere recitation:
Purification: Take a bath, wear clean (preferably red or saffron) clothes and sit facing east or north.
Altar Setup: Have an image or small idol of Goddess Annapurna (or simply a picture) with a lit lamp (and optionally food offering).
Offerings: Offer flowers, fruits, cooked grain or sweets as symbolic “anna” — symbolising Her gift of nourishment.
Recitation: Read the eight verses slowly, clearly pronouncing each end-word (many stotra formats emphasise the rhyme-scheme in ashtakam). (Wikipedia)
Reflection: After chanting, sit in silent meditation for a few minutes, visualizing Her as the all-giving Mother and feeling gratitude.
Conclude: Offer the food (naivedya) you brought to Her and if possible share it as prasadam with others — reflecting the spirit of “anna-dana” (food-giving).
Optional: Recite a simple line like: “अन्नपूर्णे सदापूर्णे शंकरप्राणवल्लभे । ज्ञानवैराग्यसिद्ध्यर्थं भिक्षां देहि च पार्वती ॥” (BhaktiBharat.com)
By following this process, the chant becomes more than words — it becomes a living devotional act.
Best Day: Friday (Shukravar) — associated with the Divine Feminine and abundance.
Special Occasions:
Annata/Purnima (Full Moon) when food offering is auspicious.
Navaratri, especially the last three days when Devi worship is intense.
Kasi (Varanasi) pilgrimage days, as She is presiding deity of Kashi (Kāśī-Purādhīśvarī). (vignanam.org)
Time of Day: Early morning (Brahma Muhurta) or just before food offering/prasad time is especially beneficial.
Vow Consideration: Some devotees take a 11- or 21-day vow (vrata) reciting the hymn daily, offering cooked grain each day, and finish with a charitable food distribution.
Who Wrote अन्नपूर्णाष्टकम् & Why Should We Read It?
This hymn is traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, the great sage and philosopher of Advaita Vedanta. (Siddha Yoga path website) Why read it? Because it weaves together material and spiritual outreach: Seeking nourishment, giving nourishment, receiving grace, and attaining wisdom. It reminds us that even what we eat and offer can become a path of devotion. It also honours the idea that food is sacred, and that the Divine Mother is the ultimate donor.
What Boons Will You Get by Worshipping Her via this Stotram?
Freedom from hunger and lack: Both literal and symbolic hunger for meaning.
Domestic prosperity: Peaceful home, plenty of food, harmonious relationships.
Clarity in life’s purpose: As the hymn mentions jñāna & vairāgya.
Protection and divine favour: From fears, obstacles, spiritual stagnation.
Liberation (Moksha): The final verse ties everything to ultimate freedom.
Pooja Samagri List for अन्नपूर्णाष्टकम्
Picture or idol of Goddess Annapurna
Ghee lamp or oil lamp
Incense (preferably sandal or camphor)
Fresh red/saffron flowers or hibiscus
Fruits, grains, cooked rice & sweets for offering
Kumkum, turmeric, rice (akshata)
Copper or brass plate for offering
Optional naivedya (food) to later share as prasadam
A small bowl to distribute grains/food as a donation (anna-dana)
A Rare & Distinctive Insight about अन्नपूर्णाष्टकम्
Most blogs focus on the “food” aspect of Annapurna. But seldom mentioned: The hymn links food to consciousness. For example, lines like “सृष्टिविनाश पालनकरी … ओंकारबीजाक्षरी … मोक्षद्वारकपाटपाटनकरी” show that She sustains the cosmos and grants liberation. (Shlokam) Thus chanting this hymn is not just about material food — it’s about feeding the soul. Another lesser-known point: Because She is called “Kāśī-Purādhīśvarī” (presiding deity of Kashi), reading this in or invoking Her in any space makes one spiritually aligned with Kashi’s liberating energy — effectively bringing Kashi’s grace home.
Note
अन्नपूर्णाष्टकम् (Annapurna Ashtakam) stands as a beautiful bridge between everyday life (food, nourishment) and the highest spiritual longing (knowledge, renunciation, liberation). When we chant it with devotion, we receive the Mother’s full alms — of grace, abundance and wisdom.
“माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी” — she is the Mother who gives the ultimate gift: fullness, freedom and fearlessness.
Hare Krishna Hare Rama
By including this hymn in your daily or weekly practice, you honour both the sacredness of food and the sacredness of your soul.
अन्नपूर्णाष्टकम्
नित्यानंदकरी वराभयकरी सौंदर्य रत्नाकरी निर्धूताखिल घोर पावनकरी प्रत्यक्ष माहेश्वरी
