श्री हनुमान चालीसा
Lyrics with meaning, word by word
The hymn Goswami Tulsidas sang to Hanuman: every doha and chaupai in Devanagari and in English letters, with its meaning, and each verse open word by word.
Read the ChalisaThe Hanuman Chalisa is a hymn to Hanuman, the devoted friend and servant of Rama. Goswami Tulsidas wrote it in the sixteenth century in Awadhi, the language of his Ramcharitmanas. Chalisa means forty: forty chaupais sit at its heart, with two dohas to open the hymn and one to close it.
Its verses remember Hanuman as both strong and gentle: the leap across the sea to Lanka, the ring carried to Sita, the mountain of herbs that brought Lakshmana back, and a devotion so complete that Rama called him as dear as a brother. Many families sing it every day, and many people learn it by heart as children, long before they know what each word means.
The text here is the one Gita Press, Gorakhpur prints. Every verse is below in Devanagari, in English letters and with its meaning, and each one opens on a page of its own with its words one by one, the story behind it and what it has meant to the people who sing it.
दोहा2 verses
The Hanuman Chalisa opens with two dohās in which Tulsidas prepares himself before he begins. First he polishes the mirror of his mind with the pollen dust of his Guru's lotus feet, and then he sets out to describe the spotless glory of Rama, who grants the four aims of life. In the second dohā he admits he lacks understanding, calls to mind Hanuman, the son of the Wind, and asks for strength, intellect and learning, and for relief from bodily ailments and troubles of the mind.
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रजनिज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि।बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसुजो दायकु फल चारि॥
Shri Guru Charan Saroj Raj,Nij Manu Mukuru Sudhari.Baranau Raghubar Bimal Jasu,Jo Dayaku Phal Chari.
With the pollen dust of my revered Guru's lotus feet I polish the mirror of my mind. Then I set out to describe the spotless glory of Rama, the best of Raghu's line, who grants the four aims of life: dharma, artha, kama and moksha.
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके,सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार।बल बुधि बिद्या देहु मोहिं,हरहु कलेस बिकार॥
Buddhiheen Tanu Janike,Sumirau Pavan Kumar.Bal Budhi Vidya Dehu Mohi,Harahu Kalesh Vikar.
Knowing myself to be lacking in understanding, I call to mind Hanuman, the son of the Wind. Grant me strength, intellect and learning, and take away my bodily ailments and the troubles of my mind.
चौपाई40 verses
This central section of the Hanuman Chalisa is a long hymn of praise in forty verses, in which Tulsidas hails Hanuman and describes who he is, what he has done and what he gives to those who turn to him. It opens by greeting Hanuman as an ocean of knowledge and good qualities, Rama's messenger, the Son of Anjani and the Son of the Wind, and it lingers lovingly on his golden form, his thunderbolt and flag, and his eagerness to do Rama's work. It then recalls his great deeds: appearing in a tiny form to Sita, burning Lanka, destroying the demons, bringing back Lakshmana to life, and helping Sugriva and Vibhishana to their thrones. Rama himself speaks here, calling Hanuman as dear as his brother Bharata and embracing him, and the verses say that even gods, sages and poets cannot fully tell his glory. From there the hymn turns toward the devotee, saying that difficult tasks become easy by Hanuman's grace, that ghosts, disease, pain and trouble fall away for those who remember his name, and that devotion to him leads a person to Rama. The section closes with a heartfelt plea for Hanuman's grace as from a guru, the promise that devotees believe attends reading the Hanuman Chalisa, and Tulsidas's own prayer that the Lord make his home in his heart.
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर।जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर॥
Jai Hanuman Gyan Gun Sagar.Jai Kapis Tihun Lok Ujagar.
Hail to you, O Hanuman, ocean of knowledge and of good qualities. Hail to you, O lord of the monkeys, famous throughout the three worlds.
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा।अंजनि-पुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥
Ram Doot Atulit Bal Dhama.Anjani Putra Pavan Sut Nama.
You are Rama's messenger, the home of strength that nothing can equal. You are known by the names Son of Anjani and Son of the Wind.
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी।कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥
Mahabir Bikram Bajrangi.Kumati Nivar Sumati Ke Sangi.
You are a great hero, full of daring and valor, with a body as strong as a thunderbolt. You drive away bad thinking and stand beside those whose thoughts are good.
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा।कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा॥
Kanchan Baran Biraj Subesa.Kanan Kundal Kunchit Kesa.
Your complexion is golden, and you shine in handsome clothes. Earrings hang from your ears, and your hair is curly.
हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै।काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजै॥
Hath Bajra Au Dhwaja Birajai.Kandhe Moonj Janeu Sajai.
In your hands shine the thunderbolt and a flag, and a sacred thread of munja grass adorns your shoulder.
संकर सुवन केसरीनंदन।तेज प्रताप महा जग बंदन॥
Sankar Suvan Kesari Nandan.Tej Pratap Maha Jag Bandan.
You are the son of Shiva and the joy of Kesari. For your radiance and your great valour, the whole world honours you.
बिद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर।राम काज करिबे को आतुर॥
Bidyavan Guni Ati Chatur.Ram Kaj Karibe Ko Aatur.
You are supremely learned, full of virtues and extremely clever, and you are always eager to carry out Rama's work.
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया।राम लषन सीता मन बसिया॥
Prabhu Charitra Sunibe Ko Rasiya.Ram Lakhan Sita Man Basiya.
You love to hear the story of the Lord's deeds. Rama, Lakshmana and Sita live in your heart.
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा।बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा॥
Sukshma Roop Dhari Siyahi Dikhava.Bikat Roop Dhari Lanka Jarava.
Taking a tiny form, you showed yourself to Sita, and taking a huge and fearsome form, you set Lanka on fire.
भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे।रामचंद्र के काज सँवारे॥
Bhim Roop Dhari Asur Sanhare.Ramchandra Ke Kaj Sanvare.
Taking on a terrifying form, you destroyed the demons and carried Ramachandra's work through to success.
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये।श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये॥
Laye Sajivan Lakhan Jiyaye.Shri Raghubir Harashi Ur Laye.
You brought the sanjivani herb and brought Lakshmana back to life. Shri Rama, the hero of the Raghu line, was overjoyed and held you close to his heart.
रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई।तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई॥
Raghupati Kinhi Bahut Badai.Tum Mam Priya Bharatahi Sam Bhai.
Rama, Lord of the Raghu family, praised you greatly and said: 'You are my dear brother, just like Bharata.'
सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं।अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं॥
Sahas Badan Tumharo Jas Gavai.As Kahi Shripati Kanth Lagavai.
"May the thousand-mouthed Shesha sing your glory!" Saying this, Rama, the Lord of Shri, hugs you close to his heart.
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा।नारद सारद सहित अहीसा॥
Sanakadik Brahmadi Munisa.Narad Sarad Sahit Ahisa.
Sanaka and the sages like him, Brahma and the other gods, the greatest of sages, Narada, and Sharada, the goddess of learning, together with Shesha, king of serpents, cannot fully tell your glory.
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते।कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहाँ ते॥
Yam Kuber Digpal Jahan Te.Kabi Kobid Kahi Sake Kahan Te.
Yama, Kubera, the guardians of the directions and all the others like them cannot fully tell your glory. How, then, could poets and learned scholars ever describe it?
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा।राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा॥
Tum Upkar Sugrivahi Kinha.Ram Milaye Raj Pad Dinha.
You did Sugriva a great kindness: you brought him to meet Rama, and so gave him the royal throne.
तुम्हरो मंत्र बिभीषन माना।लंकेस्वर भए सब जग जाना॥
Tumharo Mantra Vibhishan Mana.Lankeshwar Bhaye Sab Jag Jana.
Vibhishana followed your advice and became the king of Lanka, as the whole world knows.
जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानू।लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू॥
Yug Sahastra Yojan Par Bhanu.Lilyo Tahi Madhur Phal Janu.
The Sun stood far away, at a distance of a yuga of thousands of yojanas, an immense distance, yet you swallowed it, taking it to be a sweet fruit.
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं।जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं॥
Prabhu Mudrika Meli Mukh Mahi.Jaladhi Langhi Gaye Achraj Nahi.
Holding the Lord's ring in your mouth, you leapt across the ocean. There is no wonder in that.
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते।सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते॥
Durgam Kaj Jagat Ke Jete.Sugam Anugrah Tumhare Tete.
However many difficult tasks there are in the world, all of them become easy through your grace.
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे।होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे॥
Ram Duare Tum Rakhware.Hot Na Agya Binu Paisare.
You are the guardian at Lord Rama's door. No one can enter there without your permission.
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना।तुम रच्छक काहू को डर ना॥
Sab Sukh Lahai Tumhari Sarna.Tum Rachchhak Kahu Ko Dar Na.
Whoever takes refuge in you finds every kind of happiness. When you are the protector, there is no need to fear anyone.
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै।तीनों लोक हाँक तें काँपै॥
Aapan Tej Samharo Aapai.Teenon Lok Hank Te Kanpai.
You alone can hold and control your own mighty power. When you roar, all three worlds tremble.
भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै।महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै॥
Bhoot Pisach Nikat Nahi Aavai.Mahavir Jab Naam Sunavai.
Ghosts and evil spirits do not come near when a person calls out the name of Mahavira, the great hero Hanuman.
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा।जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा॥
Nasei Rog Harei Sab Pira.Japat Nirantar Hanumat Bira.
Disease is destroyed and every pain is taken away when a person keeps repeating the name of the brave Hanuman without a break.
संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै।मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै॥
Sankat Te Hanuman Chhudavai.Man Kram Bachan Dhyan Jo Lavai.
Hanuman sets free from trouble anyone who fixes their attention on him with their mind, their actions and their words.
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा।तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा॥
Sab Par Ram Tapasvi Raja.Tin Ke Kaj Sakal Tum Saja.
Rama, the king who lived as an ascetic, stands above all. And it was you, Hanuman, who carried out every one of his tasks and brought them to success.
और मनोरथ जो कोइ लावै।सोइ अमित जीवन फल पावै॥
Aur Manorath Jo Koi Lavai.Soi Amit Jivan Phal Pavai.
And whoever comes to you with any wish receives the fruit of life beyond all measure.
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा।है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा॥
Charon Jug Partap Tumhara.Hai Parsiddh Jagat Ujiyara.
Your glory shines through all four ages of the world. It is renowned as the light that brightens the world.
साधु संत के तुम रखवारे।असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे॥
Sadhu Sant Ke Tum Rakhware.Asur Nikandan Ram Dulare.
You are the protector of holy people and saints. You destroy the demons, and you are the darling of Rama.
अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता।अस बर दीन जानकी माता॥
Ashta Siddhi Nau Nidhi Ke Data.As Bar Din Janaki Mata.
You are the giver of the eight siddhis (special powers) and the nine nidhis (treasures). Mother Janaki gave you this boon.
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा।सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा॥
Ram Rasayan Tumhare Pasa.Sada Raho Raghupati Ke Dasa.
You hold the elixir of devotion to Rama. You remain forever the servant of Raghupati, Lord Rama of the Raghu line.
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै।जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै॥
Tumhare Bhajan Ram Ko Pavai.Janam Janam Ke Dukh Bisravai.
Through devotion to you, a person reaches Rama and leaves behind the sorrows of birth after birth.
अंत काल रघुबर पुर जाई।जहाँ जन्म हरि-भक्त कहाई॥
Ant Kaal Raghubar Pur Jai.Jahan Janm Haribhakt Kahai.
At the end of life, such a devotee goes to the abode of Rama, the best of the Raghu line. And if born again, wherever that birth may be, they are known as a devotee of Hari.
और देवता चित्त न धरई।हनुमत सेइ सर्ब सुख करई॥
Aur Devta Chitt Na Dharai.Hanumat Sei Sarb Sukh Karai.
Even if a person keeps no other deity in mind, serving Hanuman alone brings every kind of happiness.
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा।जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥
Sankat Katai Mitai Sab Pira.Jo Sumirai Hanumat Balbira.
Whoever remembers Hanuman, the mighty hero, has their troubles cut away and all their pain wiped out.
जै जै जै हनुमान गोसाईं।कृपा करहु गुरु देव की नाईं॥
Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosain.Kripa Karahu Gurudev Ki Nain.
Victory, victory, victory to you, Lord Hanuman! Be gracious to me, as a revered guru is gracious to his disciple.
जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई।छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई॥
Jo Sat Bar Path Kar Koi.Chutahi Bandi Maha Sukh Hoi.
Whoever recites this a hundred times is set free from bondage, and great happiness comes to them.
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चलीसा।होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा॥
Jo Yah Padhai Hanuman Chalisa.Hoy Siddhi Sakhi Gaurisa.
Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa gains success and fulfilment. Lord Shiva, the husband of Gauri, is witness to this.
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा।कीजै नाथ हृदय महँ डेरा॥
Tulsidas Sada Hari Chera.Kijai Nath Hriday Mah Dera.
Tulsidas is forever the servant of Hari. O Lord, please make your home in my heart.
दोहा1 verse
The closing dohā gathers the whole hymn into one heartfelt prayer. Tulsidas calls on Hanuman as the Son of the Wind, the remover of troubles, whose form is the very picture of all that is good and blessed. He then hails him as king of the gods and asks him to come and live in the heart, together with Rama, Lakshmana and Sita.
पवनतनय संकट हरन,मंगल मूरति रूप।राम लषन सीता सहित,हृदय बसहु सुर भूप॥
Pavan Tanay Sankat Haran,Mangal Murati Roop.Ram Lakhan Sita Sahit,Hriday Basahu Sur Bhoop.
O Son of the Wind, remover of troubles, you whose form is the very picture of all that is good and blessed: O king of the gods, come and live in my heart, together with Rama, Lakshmana and Sita.
In the first dohā, Tulsidas uses the pollen dust of his revered Guru's lotus feet to polish the mirror of his mind. Only after this does he set out to describe Rama's glory. The verse places the Guru's grace as the first step, before any praise is offered.
The first dohā says Rama grants the four aims of life: dharma, artha, kāma and mokṣa. These are righteous living, prosperity, fulfilment of desire and liberation. The verse presents all four as gifts of Rama, whose spotless glory Tulsidas sets out to describe.
Knowing himself to be lacking in understanding, Tulsidas calls to mind Hanuman, the son of the Wind. He asks for strength, intellect and learning, and asks Hanuman to take away his bodily ailments and the troubles of his mind. Many devotees recite this dohā as their own prayer for the same blessings.
The first dohā says Tulsidas sets out to describe the spotless glory of Rama, the best of Raghu's line. Hanuman is then called to mind in the second dohā, so the hymn opens by holding Guru, Rama and Hanuman together. Devotees often read this order as fitting for Hanuman, whose greatness lies in his devotion to Rama.
These verses praise Hanuman's qualities, describe his appearance and recall his deeds in the service of Rama, such as finding Sita, burning Lanka and bringing Lakshmana back to life. They then describe the protection and blessings the verses say come to those who remember him, and end with a prayer from Tulsidas.
After Hanuman brings the healing herb and Lakshmana is revived, Rama is overjoyed and embraces him. He praises Hanuman greatly and tells him, 'You are my dear brother, just like Bharata,' showing how close Hanuman is to Rama's heart.
The verses say that ghosts and evil spirits stay away, disease and pain are removed, and troubles are cut away for those who remember Hanuman with mind, action and word. They also say that devotion to him leads a person to Rama and frees them from the sorrows of birth after birth, as devotees believe.
Verse 2.38 says that whoever recites it a hundred times is set free from bondage and great happiness comes to them. The next verse says that whoever reads the Hanuman Chalisa gains success and fulfilment, with Lord Shiva as witness, and many devotees recite it in this belief.
It asks Hanuman to come and live in the heart. The prayer is not for him alone: he is asked to dwell there together with Rama, Lakshmana and Sita.
The verse opens with pavanatanaya, Son of the Wind, one of Hanuman's well known names. Tulsidas sets it right beside saṅkaṭa harana, remover of troubles, so the closing prayer begins by recalling who Hanuman is and what he does for those who call on him.
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