Chalisa · Hanuman

Hanuman Chalisa

The Hanuman Chalisa is a hymn of forty verses (chaupais) in praise of Hanuman, framed by couplets (dohas) at the beginning and end. Composed in Awadhi by the poet-saint Tulsidas, it is one of the most widely recited prayers in the Hindu world.

When to recite: Traditionally recited on Tuesdays and Saturdays, on Hanuman Jayanti, and by many every morning or evening. Some recite it 7, 11 or 108 times as a vow.

Opening dohas

1. श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज, निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि ।
   बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु, जो दायकु फल चारि ॥

   śrīguru caran saroj raj, nij manu mukuru sudhāri |
   baranaum̐ raghubar bimal jasu, jo dāyaku phal cāri ||

   Cleansing the mirror of my mind with the dust of my Guru’s lotus feet, I sing the pure glory of Rama, the best of the Raghus, which bestows the four fruits of life.

2. बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके, सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार ।
   बल बुधि बिद्या देहु मोहिं, हरहु कलेस बिकार ॥

   buddhihīn tanu jānike, sumirauṃ pavan-kumār |
   bal budhi bidyā dehu mohiṃ, harahu kales bikār ||

   Knowing myself to be lacking in wisdom, I remember you, son of the Wind. Grant me strength, intelligence and knowledge, and remove my sorrows and impurities.

Chaupais

1. जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर ।
   जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर ॥

   jay hanumān jñān gun sāgar |
   jay kapīs tihum̐ lok ujāgar ||

   Victory to Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue. Victory to the lord of the monkeys, who illumines the three worlds.

2. राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा ।
   अंजनि-पुत्र पवनसुत नामा ॥

   rām dūt atulit bal dhāmā |
   aṃjani-putra pavanasut nāmā ||

   You are Rama’s messenger, the abode of matchless strength, known as the son of Anjani and the son of the Wind.

3. महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी ।
   कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी ॥

   mahābīr bikram bajraṃgī |
   kumati nivār sumati ke saṃgī ||

   Great hero, mighty and with a body strong as a thunderbolt, you dispel wrong thinking and are the companion of good sense.

4. कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा ।
   कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा ॥

   kaṃcan baran birāj subesā |
   kānan kuṃḍal kuṃcit kesā ||

   Golden in colour and beautifully dressed, you wear earrings, and your hair is curly.

5. हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै ।
   काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजै ॥

   hāth bajra au dhvajā birājai |
   kām̐dhe mūm̐j janeū sājai ||

   In your hands shine the thunderbolt and the banner; a sacred thread of munja grass adorns your shoulder.

6. संकर सुवन केसरीनंदन ।
   तेज प्रताप महा जग बंदन ॥

   saṃkar suvan kesrīnaṃdan |
   tej pratāp mahā jag baṃdan ||

   Born of Shiva and the joy of Kesari, your radiance and glory are honoured by the whole world.

7. बिद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर ।
   राम काज करिबे को आतुर ॥

   bidyāvān gunī ati cātur |
   rām kāj karibe ko ātur ||

   Learned, virtuous and exceedingly wise, you are always eager to do Rama’s work.

8. प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया ।
   राम लखन सीता मन बसिया ॥

   prabhu caritra sunibe ko rasiyā |
   rām lakhan sītā man basiyā ||

   You delight in hearing the Lord’s deeds; Rama, Lakshmana and Sita dwell in your heart.

9. सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा ।
   बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा ॥

   sūkṣma rūp dhari siyhiṃ dikhāvā |
   bikaṭ rūp dhari laṃk jarāvā ||

   Taking a tiny form you appeared before Sita; taking a fearsome form you set Lanka ablaze.

10. भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे ।
    रामचंद्र के काज सँवारे ॥

    bhīm rūp dhari asur sam̐hāre |
    rāmcaṃdra ke kāj sam̐vāre ||

    Taking a mighty form you destroyed the demons and accomplished Ramachandra’s tasks.

11. लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये ।
    श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये ॥

    lāy sajīvan lakhan jiyāye |
    śrīraghubīr haraṣi ur lāye ||

    You brought the life-giving herb and revived Lakshmana; Rama, overjoyed, embraced you.

12. रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई ।
    तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई ॥

    raghupati kīnhī bahut baṛāī |
    tum mam priy bharatahi sam bhāī ||

    Rama praised you greatly, saying: “You are as dear to me as my brother Bharata.”

13. सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं ।
    अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं ॥

    sahas badan tumharo jas gāvaiṃ |
    as kahi śrīpati kaṃṭh lagāvaiṃ ||

    “May the thousand-mouthed serpent sing your glory,” said the Lord, and held you close.

14. सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा ।
    नारद सारद सहित अहीसा ॥

    sankādik brahmādi munīsā |
    nārad sārad sahit ahīsā ||

    Sanaka and the sages, Brahma and the gods, Narada, Saraswati and the king of serpents —

15. जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते ।
    कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहाँ ते ॥

    jam kuber digpāl jahām̐ te |
    kabi kobid kahi sake kahām̐ te ||

    Yama, Kubera and the guardians of the directions — how could even poets and scholars fully describe your glory?

16. तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा ।
    राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा ॥

    tum upkār sugrīvhiṃ kīnhā |
    rām milāy rāj pad dīnhā ||

    You did Sugriva a great service: you brought him to Rama and restored his kingdom.

17. तुम्हरो मंत्र बिभीषन माना ।
    लंकेस्वर भए सब जग जाना ॥

    tumharo maṃtra bibhīṣan mānā |
    laṃkesvar bhae sab jag jānā ||

    Vibhishana heeded your counsel and became king of Lanka, as the whole world knows.

18. जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानू ।
    लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू ॥

    jug sahasra jojan par bhānū |
    līlyo tāhi madhur phal jānū ||

    The Sun, thousands of yojanas away, you swallowed, thinking it a sweet fruit.

19. प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं ।
    जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं ॥

    prabhu mudrikā meli mukh māhīṃ |
    jaladhi lām̐ghi gaye acaraj nāhīṃ ||

    Holding the Lord’s ring in your mouth, you leapt across the ocean — no wonder at all.

20. दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते ।
    सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते ॥

    durgam kāj jagat ke jete |
    sugam anugrah tumhare tete ||

    However difficult the tasks of the world, by your grace they become easy.

21. राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे ।
    होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे ॥

    rām duāre tum rakhvāre |
    hot na ājñā binu paisāre ||

    You guard Rama’s door; none may enter without your leave.

22. सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना ।
    तुम रच्छक काहू को डर ना ॥

    sab sukh lahai tumhārī sarnā |
    tum racchak kāhū ko ḍar nā ||

    All happiness is found in your refuge; with you as protector there is nothing to fear.

23. आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै ।
    तीनों लोक हाँक तें काँपै ॥

    āpan tej samhāro āpai |
    tīnoṃ lok hām̐k teṃ kām̐pai ||

    You alone can contain your own power; the three worlds tremble at your roar.

24. भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै ।
    महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै ॥

    bhūt pisāc nikaṭ nahiṃ āvai |
    mahābīr jab nām sunāvai ||

    Ghosts and evil spirits do not come near when your name, Mahavir, is spoken.

25. नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा ।
    जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा ॥

    nāsai rog harai sab pīrā |
    japat niraṃtar hanumat bīrā ||

    Disease is destroyed and all pain removed by constantly repeating the name of the brave Hanuman.

26. संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै ।
    मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै ॥

    saṃkaṭ teṃ hanumān chuṛāvai |
    man kram bacan dhyān jo lāvai ||

    Hanuman frees from trouble all who meditate on him in thought, deed and word.

27. सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा ।
    तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा ॥

    sab par rām tapasvī rājā |
    tin ke kāj sakal tum sājā ||

    Rama, the ascetic king, is supreme over all, and you carried out all his work.

28. और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै ।
    सोइ अमित जीवन फल पावै ॥

    aur manorath jo koī lāvai |
    soi amit jīvan phal pāvai ||

    Whoever comes to you with any other wish receives the boundless fruit of life.

29. चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा ।
    है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा ॥

    cāroṃ jug partāp tumhārā |
    hai parasiddha jagat ujiyārā ||

    Your glory spans the four ages; your radiance is renowned throughout the world.

30. साधु संत के तुम रखवारे ।
    असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे ॥

    sādhu saṃt ke tum rakhvāre |
    asur nikaṃdan rām dulāre ||

    You protect the saints and the good, destroy the demons, and are dear to Rama.

31. अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता ।
    अस बर दीन जानकी माता ॥

    aṣṭa siddhi nau nidhi ke dātā |
    as bar dīn jānkī mātā ||

    Mother Janaki (Sita) blessed you to be the giver of the eight powers and nine treasures.

32. राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा ।
    सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा ॥

    rām rasāyan tumhare pāsā |
    sadā raho raghupati ke dāsā ||

    You hold the elixir of devotion to Rama; may you ever remain the servant of the Lord.

33. तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै ।
    जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै ॥

    tumhare bhajan rām ko pāvai |
    janam janam ke dukh bisrāvai ||

    Through devotion to you one reaches Rama and forgets the sorrows of many lifetimes.

34. अंत काल रघुबर पुर जाई ।
    जहाँ जन्म हरि-भक्त कहाई ॥

    aṃt kāl raghubar pur jāī |
    jahām̐ janma hari-bhakta kahāī ||

    At the end one goes to Rama’s abode, and wherever reborn is known as a devotee of Hari.

35. और देवता चित्त न धरई ।
    हनुमत सेइ सर्ब सुख करई ॥

    aur devtā citta na dharaī |
    hanumat sei sarba sukh karaī ||

    One need hold no other deity in mind; serving Hanuman brings every happiness.

36. संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा ।
    जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा ॥

    saṃkaṭ kaṭai miṭai sab pīrā |
    jo sumirai hanumat balbīrā ||

    Troubles end and all pain is erased for whoever remembers the mighty hero Hanuman.

37. जै जै जै हनुमान गोसाईं ।
    कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं ॥

    jai jai jai hanumān gosāīṃ |
    kṛpā karahu gurudev kī nāīṃ ||

    Victory, victory, victory to you, Lord Hanuman! Bless me as my divine Guru would.

38. जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई ।
    छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई ॥

    jo sat bār pāṭh kar koī |
    chūṭahi baṃdi mahā sukh hoī ||

    Whoever recites this a hundred times is freed from bondage and attains great joy.

39. जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा ।
    होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा ॥

    jo yah paṛhai hanumān cālīsā |
    hoy siddhi sākhī gaurīsā ||

    Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa attains fulfilment — Shiva, lord of Gauri, is witness.

40. तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा ।
    कीजै नाथ हृदय महँ डेरा ॥

    tulsīdās sadā hari cerā |
    kījai nāth hṛday maham̐ ḍerā ||

    Tulsidas, ever the servant of Hari, prays: Lord, make your home in my heart.

Closing doha

1. पवनतनय संकट हरन, मंगल मूरति रूप ।
   राम लखन सीता सहित, हृदय बसहु सुर भूप ॥

   pavanatanay saṃkaṭ haran, maṃgal mūrati rūp |
   rām lakhan sītā sahit, hṛday basahu sur bhūp ||

   Son of the Wind, remover of troubles, embodiment of auspiciousness — with Rama, Lakshmana and Sita, dwell in my heart, king of the gods.