Verses 1 – 4
1
Baal samay ravi bhaksh liyo tab, teenahun lok bhayo andhiyaaro |
Devan aani karee binatee tab, chhaadi diyo ravi kasht nivaaro |
Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi, sankat mochan naam tihaaro ||
Meaning: As a child you swallowed the sun and all three worlds went dark. When the gods came and prayed, you released it and ended their distress. Who in this world does not know your name — Sankat Mochan, remover of troubles?
Note: Each of the eight verses recalls one deed — then closes with the same line: who does not know your name?
2
Baali ki traas kapees basai giri, jaat mahaaprabhu panth nihaaro |
Kai dvij roop livaay mahaaprabhu, so tum daas ke sok nivaaro ||
Meaning: In fear of Vali, Sugriva dwelt on the mountain, watching for the Lord. Taking the form of a brahmin, you brought Rama to him — and removed that servant's sorrow.
3
Angad ke sang len gaye siya, khoj kapees yah bain uchaaro |
Heri thake tat sindhu sabe tab, laay siya-sudhi praan ubaaro ||
Meaning: Sugriva had said: 'Return without news of Sita and you shall not live.' All grew weary at the shore. Then you brought news of Sita and saved every life.
Note: Two words — Dṛṣṭā Sītā — saved an entire army.
4
Raavan traas daee siya ko sab, raakshasi so kahi sok nivaaro |
Chaahat siya asok so aagi su, dai prabhu mudrikaa sok nivaaro ||
Meaning: Ravana had the demonesses terrify Sita. As she was about to end her life in the Ashoka grove, you gave her Rama's ring and removed her grief.
Note: He came in the very moment she was about to give up. Help that arrives at the right time is the only help that counts.
Verses 5 – 8
5
Baan lagyo ur lachhiman ke tab, praan taje sut raavan maaro |
Aani sajeevan haath die tab, lachhiman ke tum praan ubaaro ||
Meaning: When the arrow struck Lakshmana and his life ebbed away, you tore up the whole Drona mountain and brought the Sanjeevani, saving his life.
Note: He did not know which herb it was — so he brought the entire mountain. When in doubt, Hanuman never does half a job.
6
Raavan judh ajaan kiyo tab, naag ki phaans sabai sir daaro |
Aani khages tabai hanumaan ju, bandhan kaati sutraas nivaaro ||
Meaning: When Indrajit loosed the serpent-noose and the whole army fell senseless, you brought Garuda, cut the bonds, and ended the terror.
Note: The antidote to serpents is the eagle. Knowing the right answer is itself a kind of strength.
7
Bandhu samet jabai ahiraavan, lai raghunaath pataal sidhaaro |
Jaay sahaay bhayo tab hee, ahiraavan sainya samet sanhaaro ||
Meaning: When Ahiravana carried Rama and Lakshmana to the netherworld to sacrifice them, you went to their aid and destroyed him with all his army.
Note: It is here that Hanuman takes the Panchamukha (five-faced) form.
8
Kaaj kiye bad devan ke tum, beer mahaaprabhu dekhi bichaaro |
Kaun so sankat mor gareeb ko, jo tumso nahin jaat hai taaro |
Begi haro hanumaan mahaaprabhu, jo kachhu sankat hoy hamaaro ||
Meaning: You have done great deeds even for the gods. So consider — what is this poor man's trouble, that you could not remove it?
Note: This is the heart of the hymn.
Seven verses recount his mighty deeds. The eighth is an ordinary person's plea: 'You did all that. How small is my trouble beside it?'
That is not flattery. It is trust.