Hanuman Chalisa

✺About the Hanuman Chalisa

✺Opening dohas

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

   śrīguru carana saroja raja nija manu mukuru sudhāri | baranaum̐ raghubara bimala jasu jo dāyaku phala cāri ||

   Meaning: Cleansing the mirror of my mind with the dust of my Guru's lotus feet, I describe the pure glory of Raghubar (Rama), which bestows the four fruits of life: dharma, artha, kama and moksha.

2. बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिकै सुमिरौं पवनकुमार । बल बुधि बिद्या देहु मोहिं हरहु कलेस बिकार ॥

   buddhihīna tanu jānikai sumirauṃ pavanakumāra | bala budhi bidyā dehu mohiṃ harahu kalesa bikāra ||

   Meaning: Knowing myself to be lacking in wisdom, I remember you, Son of the Wind. Grant me strength, intelligence and knowledge, and take away my sorrows and impurities.

✺Chaupais 1–10: Hanuman's form and virtues

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

   jaya hanumāna jñāna guna sāgara | jaya kapīsa tihum̐ loka ujāgara ||

   Meaning: 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 । अंजनिपुत्र पवनसुत नामा ॥

   rāma dūta atulita bala dhāmā | aṃjaniputra pavanasuta nāmā ||

   Meaning: You are Rama's messenger, abode of matchless strength, known as Anjani's son and the Son of the Wind.

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

   mahābīra bikrama bajaraṃgī | kumati nivāra sumati ke saṃgī ||

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

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

   kaṃcana barana birāja subesā | kānana kuṃḍala kuṃcita kesā ||

   Meaning: Golden in colour, you are beautifully dressed, with earrings in your ears and curly hair.

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

   hātha bajra au dhvajā birājai | kām̐dhe mūm̐ja janeū sājai ||

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

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

   saṃkara suvana kesarīnaṃdana | teja pratāpa mahā jaga baṃdana ||

   Meaning: Son of Shankara (or Shiva's own form) and joy of Kesari, your radiance and glory are great, and the whole world bows to you.

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

   vidyāvāna gunī ati cātura | rāma kāja karibe ko ātura ||

   Meaning: Learned, virtuous and supremely wise, you are ever eager to do Rama's work.

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

   prabhu caritra sunibe ko rasiyā | rāma lakhana sītā mana basiyā ||

   Meaning: You delight in hearing the Lord's story; Rama, Lakshmana and Sita dwell in your heart.

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

   sūkṣma rūpa dhari siyahiṃ dikhāvā | bikaṭa rūpa dhari laṃka jarāvā ||

   Meaning: Taking a tiny form you appeared before Sita; taking a fearsome form you set Lanka on fire.

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

    bhīma rūpa dhari asura sam̐hāre | rāmacaṃdra ke kāja sam̐vāre ||

    Meaning: Taking a mighty form you destroyed the demons and accomplished Ramachandra's tasks.

✺Chaupais 11–20: Deeds in Rama's service

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

   lāya sajīvana lakhana jiyāye | śrīraghubīra haraṣi ura lāye ||

   Meaning: Bringing the Sanjivani herb, you revived Lakshmana, and Raghubir (Rama) joyfully embraced you.

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

   raghupati kīnhī bahuta baṛāī | tuma mama priya bharatahi sama bhāī ||

   Meaning: Raghupati praised you greatly: 'You are as dear to me as my brother Bharata.'

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

   sahasa badana tumharo jasa gāvaiṃ | asa kahi śrīpati kaṃṭha lagāvaiṃ ||

   Meaning: 'May the thousand-mouthed (Shesha) sing your glory,' so saying, the Lord of Shri embraced you.

4. सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा । नारद सारद सहित अहीसा ॥

   sanakādika brahmādi munīsā | nārada sārada sahita ahīsā ||

   Meaning: Sanaka and the sages, Brahma and the gods, the great munis, Narada, Sharada (Saraswati) and the king of serpents…

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

   jama kubera digapāla jahām̐ te | kabi kobida kahi sake kahām̐ te ||

   Meaning: …Yama, Kubera and the guardians of the directions: even they cannot fully tell your glory, so how could poets and scholars?

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

   tuma upakāra sugrīvahiṃ kīnhā | rāma milāya rāja pada dīnhā ||

   Meaning: You did Sugriva a great service: you brought him to Rama and so gave him back his kingdom.

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

   tumharo maṃtra bibhīṣana mānā | laṃkesvara bhae saba jaga jānā ||

   Meaning: Vibhishana followed your counsel and became lord of Lanka, as the whole world knows.

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

   juga sahasra jojana para bhānū | līlyo tāhi madhura phala jānū ||

   Meaning: The sun, thousands of yojanas away, you swallowed, thinking it a sweet fruit.

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

   prabhu mudrikā meli mukha māhīṃ | jaladhi lām̐ghi gaye acaraja nāhīṃ ||

   Meaning: Holding the Lord's ring in your mouth, you leapt across the ocean; no wonder in that.

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

    durgama kāja jagata ke jete | sugama anugraha tumhare tete ||

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

✺Chaupais 21–30: Protection and grace

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

   rāma duāre tuma rakhavāre | hota na ājñā binu paisāre ||

   Meaning: You are the guardian of Rama's door; no one enters without your permission.

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

   saba sukha lahai tumhārī saranā | tuma racchaka kāhū ko ḍara nā ||

   Meaning: Whoever takes refuge in you finds every happiness; with you as protector, there is nothing to fear.

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

   āpana teja samhāro āpai | tīnoṃ loka hām̐ka teṃ kām̐pai ||

   Meaning: Only you can contain your own might; the three worlds tremble at your roar.

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

   bhūta pisāca nikaṭa nahiṃ āvai | mahābīra jaba nāma sunāvai ||

   Meaning: Ghosts and evil spirits do not come near when the name of the Great Hero (Mahavir) is spoken.

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

   nāsai roga harai saba pīrā | japata niraṃtara hanumata bīrā ||

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

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

   saṃkaṭa teṃ hanumāna chuṛāvai | mana krama bacana dhyāna jo lāvai ||

   Meaning: Hanuman frees from trouble whoever meditates on him in thought, deed and word.

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

   saba para rāma tapasvī rājā | tina ke kāja sakala tuma sājā ||

   Meaning: Rama, the ascetic king, is supreme over all, and you carried out all his tasks.

8. और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै । सोई अमित जीवन फल पावै ॥

   aura manoratha jo koī lāvai | soī amita jīvana phala pāvai ||

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

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

   cāroṃ juga paratāpa tumhārā | hai parasiddha jagata ujiyārā ||

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

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

    sādhu saṃta ke tuma rakhavāre | asura nikaṃdana rāma dulāre ||

    Meaning: You are the protector of sadhus and saints, destroyer of demons and darling of Rama.

✺Chaupais 31–40: The fruit of devotion

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

   aṣṭa siddhi nau nidhi ke dātā | asa bara dīna jānakī mātā ||

   Meaning: You can bestow the eight siddhis and nine treasures; Mother Janaki (Sita) gave you this boon.

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

   rāma rasāyana tumhare pāsā | sadā raho raghupati ke dāsā ||

   Meaning: You hold the elixir of Rama's name; may you ever remain the servant of Raghupati.

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

   tumhare bhajana rāma ko pāvai | janama janama ke dukha bisarāvai ||

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

4. अंत काल रघुबर पुर जाई । जहाँ जन्म हरिभक्त कहाई ॥

   aṃta kāla raghubara pura jāī | jahām̐ janma haribhakta kahāī ||

   Meaning: At the end of life such a devotee goes to Raghubar's abode, and wherever he is born, he is known as a devotee of Hari.

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

   aura devatā citta na dharaī | hanumata sei sarba sukha karaī ||

   Meaning: Even without holding any other deity in mind, one who serves Hanuman obtains every happiness.

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

   saṃkaṭa kaṭai miṭai saba pīrā | jo sumirai hanumata balabīrā ||

   Meaning: Troubles are cut away and all pain ends for whoever remembers the mighty hero Hanuman.

7. जै जै जै हनुमान गोसाईं । कृपा करहु गुरु देव की नाईं ॥

   jai jai jai hanumāna gosāīṃ | kṛpā karahu guru deva kī nāīṃ ||

   Meaning: Victory, victory, victory to Lord Hanuman! Be gracious to me as my Guru is.

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

   jo sata bāra pāṭha kara koī | chūṭahi baṃdi mahā sukha hoī ||

   Meaning: Whoever recites this a hundred times is freed from bondage and attains great happiness.

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

   jo yaha paṛhai hanumāna cālīsā | hoya siddhi sākhī gaurīsā ||

   Meaning: Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa attains success; Gaurisha (Shiva) is witness to this.

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

    tulasīdāsa sadā hari cerā | kījai nātha hṛdaya maham̐ ḍerā ||

    Meaning: Tulsidas, forever the servant of Hari, prays: Lord, make your dwelling in my heart.

✺Closing doha

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

   pavanatanaya saṃkaṭa harana maṃgala mūrati rūpa | rāma lakhana sītā sahita hṛdaya basahu sura bhūpa ||

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

✺Authorship and history

✺Variant readings

Chaupai 6: 'saṅkara suvana kesarīnandana'

Rambhadracharya reads 'śaṅkara svayaṃ kesarīnandana' ('Shankara himself, as Kesari's son'), expressing the Shaiva belief that Hanuman is Shiva's own incarnation.

Chaupai 5: 'hātha bajra au dhvajā birājai … janeū sājai'

Rambhadracharya's text has 'aru dhvajā' and 'janeū chājai'; the meaning is the same.

Chaupai 27: 'saba para rāma tapasvī rājā'

Rambhadracharya reads 'saba para rāma rāya siratājā' ('Rama the King, crown of all').

Chaupai 28: 'soī amita jīvana phala pāvai'

Rambhadracharya reads 'tāsu amita jīvana phala pāvai'.

Chaupai 32: 'sadā raho raghupati ke dāsā'

Rambhadracharya reads 'sādara ho raghupati ke dāsā' ('you are, with reverence, Raghupati's servant').

Chaupai 31: 'asa bara dīna jānakī mātā'

Some editions, including Rambhadracharya's, print 'dīnha' for 'dīna'; both mean 'gave'.

Opening doha 2: 'bala budhi bidyā'

Some printings have 'bala buddhi bidyā'; the meaning is identical.

✺How and when to recite

✺Benefits described in tradition

Questions pilgrims ask