Hanuman Ashtottara — 108 Names of Hanuman with Meaning, Benefits & Vidhi

Hanuman Ashtottara Shatanamavali is the sacred hymn of 108 names of Lord Hanuman — also called Bajrang Bali, Pavan Putra, Maruti, Anjaneya. The hymn is found in the Hanumat Sahasranamavali (which contains 1000 names) and in the Skanda Purana. Each of the 108 names captures one aspect of Hanuman — from his birth (Anjaneya, son of Anjana) to his immense strength (Vajrang, thunderbolt-bodied), from his Rama devotion (Ramadasa) to his cosmic form (Bhima Vikrama). Unlike the Hanuman Chalisa (40 chaupais in Awadhi, devotional poetry by Tulsidas) and Hanuman Bahuk (44 healing verses), the Ashtottara is in Sanskrit and structured as a focused naming meditation. It is the preferred prayer for: Tuesday/Saturday devotional practice, exam students facing tough subjects, families with property/inheritance disputes (Hanuman is the ultimate dispute-resolver), and anyone seeking protection from black magic. The Ashtottara is recited in major Hanuman temples (Mehandipur Balaji in Rajasthan, Sankat Mochan in Varanasi, Anjaneyaswami in Bangalore) as part of daily abhishek. Devotees combine it with Hanuman Chalisa for a complete 20-minute daily Hanuman sadhana.

Names 1-24: Om Hanumate Namah (broken-jaw one), Om Sri Pradaaya Namah (giver of prosperity), Om Vayu Putraya Namah (son of wind), Om Rudraya Namah (fierce one), Om Anjaneyaya Namah (son of Anjana), Om Mahabalaya Namah (mighty-powered), Om Maha Veeraya Namah (great hero), Om Brahmacharine Namah (celibate), Om Maha Buddhi Namah (great intellect), Om Maha Tejaaya Namah (great brilliance), Om Maha Pranaaya Namah (great life-force), Om Maha Yogine Namah (great yogi), Om Mahasattvaya Namah (great courage), Om Maha Dyutaye Namah (great splendor), Om Mahadevaya Namah (great deity), Om Maha Vajra Namah (great thunderbolt), Om Hari Markata Namah (Vishnu's monkey), Om Mahaasenaya Namah (great army-leader), Om Ramaya Priyaaya Namah (Rama's beloved), Om Bajrangaaya Namah (thunderbolt-limbed), Om Ramaadootaaya Namah (Rama's messenger), Om Akshasura Anta Karine Namah (slayer of Aksha demon), Om Lankaa Daahakaaya Namah (burner of Lanka), Om Sita Shoka Vinaashanaaya Namah (destroyer of Sita's grief). Names 25-48: Om Sumati Pradaayakaaya Namah (giver of good intellect), Om Putra Pradaayakaaya Namah (giver of progeny), Om Lakshmana Praana Daata Namah (giver of life to Lakshmana), Om Ramaayana Naayakaaya Namah (hero of Ramayana), Om Pingaakshaaya Namah (yellow-eyed), Om Vaaridhi Langhanaaya Namah (ocean-crosser), Om Sarva Murti Pradaaya Namah (one who grants all forms), Om Ravanaanta Karine Namah (slayer of Ravana's lineage), Om Vibhishana Sahaayaaya Namah (helper of Vibhishana), Om Aanjaneya Namah, Om Sundara Naamaaya Namah (named Sundara), Om Sundara Kanda Naayakaaya Namah (hero of Sundara Kanda), Om Hanumati Naadinaaya Namah (resonant in glory), Om Atulya Bala Dhaamne Namah (abode of incomparable strength), Om Vegavanta Namah (swift), Om Vata Atmajaaya Namah (son of wind), Om Mahaasoukhya Pradaayaaya Namah (giver of great happiness), Om Praghaata Sangha Daata Namah (slayer of demons), Om Sankat Mochanaaya Namah (remover of troubles), Om Tridashesha Vinutaaya Namah (praised by 33 crore devas), Om Bhakta Vatsalaaya Namah (loving to devotees), Om Bhakta Kalpa Drumaaya Namah (wish-fulfilling tree for devotees), Om Bheemoupamoy Bhaya Krit Namah (Bhima-like terror-causer), Om Kalpaanta Bhaaskaraaya Namah (sun at world's end). Names 49-72: Om Maha Kapaye Namah (great ape), Om Marichi Sannibhaaya Namah (radiant like Marichi), Om Yuvane Namah (eternally youthful), Om Mahaa Vichana Krutaya Namah (perfect speaker), Om Mahaa Maaruti Naayakaaya Namah (lord of all Marutis), Om Manojavaaya Namah (mind-swift), Om Maaruti Sangha Sevite Namah (served by wind-gods), Om Saraswata Vairaagya Sampannaya Namah (versed in Saraswati and dispassion), Om Kalyaana Guna Saagaraaya Namah (ocean of auspicious qualities), Om Maha Devotpalavyamaayini Namah (Mahadev's blue-lotus play), Om Drona Parvata Uddhartri Namah (Dronagiri mountain lifter), Om Sanjeevani Aushadhi Daata Namah (Sanjeevani herb bringer), Om Lakshmana Praana Rakshana Namah (Lakshmana's life-protector), Om Aashugaaya Namah (lightning-quick), Om Vaarunaaya Namah (water-related), Om Maharaajaaya Namah (great king), Om Aishvaryaaya Namah (sovereignty), Om Surya Mandala Bhaskaraaya Namah (sun-disc brilliant), Om Aksha Hantre Namah (Aksha-slayer), Om Maha Tejaaya Namah (great brilliance), Om Maha Buddhi Namah (great wisdom), Om Manishyaya Namah (wise), Om Saamavedaya Vidushe Namah (Sama Veda knower), Om Saamagaaya Namah (Sama-singer). Names 73-96: Om Kabacha Dharaaya Namah (armor-wearing), Om Daityaarya Naashanaaya Namah (demon-enemy destroyer), Om Khaditya Khe Vibhaava Brahmanya Yashasvine Namah (sun-light glory shining brahmin-glory bearer), Om Daanavaarine Namah (Danava-enemy), Om Yashasvine Namah (renowned), Om Vidvate Namah (learned), Om Saadhuvae Namah (saintly), Om Yashasaa Vibhaavitaaya Namah (glory-manifest), Om Pingala Aksha Namah (yellow-eyed), Om Maha Vibhuti Namah (great prosperity), Om Maha Devaaya Namah (great deity), Om Maha Hanu Mahaayuktaaya Namah (great chin great strategist), Om Sahasra Mukhi Bhairavaaya Namah (thousand-faced Bhairava), Om Surarchya Namah (worthy of god-worship), Om Sura Vandita Namah (saluted by devas), Om Mahaaprabhu Namah (great lord), Om Aagamadhya Namah (essence of scriptures), Om Vedaagya Namah (Veda-knower), Om Atharva Mantra Saadhakaaya Namah (Atharva mantra master), Om Niyataahaaraaya Namah (regulated in food), Om Niraahaaraaya Namah (food-less), Om Niraadhaaraaya Namah (support-less), Om Niraaroopaaya Namah (form-less), Om Achanchalaaya Namah (unwavering). Names 97-108: Om Karya Sadhakaaya Namah (work-accomplisher), Om Saadhuvae Sevita Namah (saint-served), Om Vajra Hanave Namah (thunderbolt-chinned), Om Vajra Nakha Namah (thunderbolt-nailed), Om Sandhya Vandanaadiratesh Namah (twilight-worship lover), Om Bramaanjaneeti Namah (Brahma-Anjana lineage), Om Eshwaraya Namah (lord), Om Bhakta Vandit Namah (devotee-saluted), Om Mahaa Subhadraya Namah (greatly auspicious), Om Sarva Karya Sadhaka Namah (all-work accomplisher), Om Maha Maaruti Namah (great Maruti), Om Sri Hanumate Namah (revered Hanuman). End with 'Iti Shri Hanumadashtottara Shatanamavali Sampurnam'.

1. Protection from black magic and evil eye — Names like 'Sankat Mochanaaya' (remover of troubles), 'Daityaarya Naashanaaya' (destroyer of demon-enemies), 'Sahasra Mukhi Bhairavaaya' (thousand-faced Bhairava) create a protective shield. People reporting unexplained illness or chronic bad luck see relief in 11-21 days. 2. Career obstacles and stuck promotions resolve — 'Karya Sadhakaaya' (work-accomplisher) and 'Sarva Karya Sadhaka' (all-work accomplisher) are specifically targeted at removing professional obstructions. 41-day mandala produces measurable career movement. 3. Exam success and mental clarity — 'Maha Buddhi' (great intellect), 'Vedaagya' (Veda-knower), 'Manishyaya' (wise) names build cognitive sharpness. Students recommend chanting before tough exams. 4. Resolves court cases and property disputes — Hanuman is the protective deity for justice. Names like 'Daityaarya Naashanaaya' help in legal battles. Many lawyers in Indian high courts recommend Hanuman Ashtottara to clients with stuck cases. 5. Removes Shani dosha (Saturn troubles) — Hanuman is the only deity Shani feared. People in Sade Sati or Dhaiya phase doing daily Ashtottara on Saturday report dramatic obstacle reduction. 6. Cures fear, anxiety, and panic attacks — 'Bhakta Vatsalaaya' (devotee-loving) and 'Maha Pranaaya' (great life-force) names build courage. Effective complement to therapy for anxiety disorders. 7. Bhakti and spiritual awakening — Beyond material, Hanuman is the supreme example of bhakti (devotion). Long-term practitioners develop their own deep bhakti as a side-effect of daily Hanuman remembrance.

Best days: Tuesday (Mangalvar) and Saturday (Shanivar) — Hanuman's days. Avoid Friday for new starts (it's Lakshmi's day). Best time: Brahma Muhurta (4-6 AM) or evening sandhya (5:30-7 PM). Materials: 1. Red wool aasan (Hanuman's color). 2. Hanuman idol or photo facing south. 3. Mustard oil diya (NOT ghee — mustard oil is specifically for Hanuman). 4. Red flowers (marigold, rose). 5. Red sindoor for offering on Hanuman's idol. 6. Boondi laddu, jaggery, or gud-chana as prasad. 7. Bilva leaves or any green leaves. Preparation (5 min): 8. Bath. Wear red, saffron, or orange clothes. 9. Sit on red wool aasan facing south. 10. Apply red sindoor tilak on your own forehead. Sankalpa: 11. Hold water. State: 'I, [name], on this Tuesday/Saturday [date], chant Hanuman Ashtottara 108 names for [purpose: protection/career/exams/court case]'. The chant (12-15 min): 12. Begin with 'Om Hum Hanumate Namah' (Hanuman beej, 7 times). 13. Then 'Om Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama' (3 times — Hanuman's master mantra). 14. Chant the 108 names slowly, one bead per name on red sandalwood mala. 15. Pace: 6-7 seconds per name = 12 minutes total. 16. Visualize Hanuman flying with Sanjeevani mountain as you chant. Closing: 17. After name 108, say 'Iti Shri Hanumadashtottara Shatanamavali Sampurnam'. 18. Apply sindoor to Hanuman's forehead (or in front of image). 19. Aarti with mustard oil diya: 'Aarti Kije Hanuman Lala Ki'. 20. Offer prasad (touch idol's feet with it first). 21. Touch the place of any physical pain (if applicable) and pray for healing.

Weekly: Tuesday is primary, Saturday is secondary. Annual major occasions: 1. Hanuman Jayanti (Chaitra Purnima, March-April in North India; Margashirsha Krishna 14 in South India) — chant 5 Ashtottaras as the maximum daily count. 2. Sundar Kand parayan day (Tuesday before Hanuman Jayanti) — Sundar Kand recital + Ashtottara is the ultimate Hanuman sadhana. 3. Bajrang Bali's defense days — During Shani Sade Sati or any astrological transit creating obstacles, do 11 Ashtottaras on Saturday for 41 weeks. 4. Mangalvar Vrat (Tuesday fast for unmarried girls) — combine Ashtottara with a 9 Tuesday fast for the special marriage-finding power. 5. Court hearing day — chant 11 Ashtottaras the night before any major hearing for favorable outcome.