Sacred hymn to Lord Hanuman · Goswami Tulsidas, 16th century
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि ।
बरनउँ रघुवर बिमल जसु जो दायकु फल चारि ॥
Shri Guru charan saroj raj, nij man mukur sudhaari,
Baranau Raghubar bimal jasu, jo dayaku phal chaari.
Cleansing the mirror of my mind with the dust of my Guru's lotus feet, I describe the pure glory of Shri Ram, giver of the four fruits of life (righteousness, wealth, desire and liberation).
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार ।
बल बुधि विद्या देहु मोहिं हरहु कलेस विकार ॥
Buddhiheen tanu jaanike, sumirau Pavan-kumaar,
Bal buddhi vidya dehu mohi, harahu kalesh bikaar.
Knowing my body to be without wisdom, I remember you, son of the Wind. Grant me strength, intellect and true knowledge, and remove all my afflictions and faults.
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर ।
जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर ॥१॥
Jai Hanuman gyan gun saagar,
Jai Kapis tihun lok ujaagar.
Victory to you, Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue. Victory to the lord of monkeys, who illumines all three worlds.
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा ।
अंजनी-पुत्र पवनसुत नामा ॥२॥
Ram doot atulit bal dhaama,
Anjani-putra Pavansut naama.
You are Ram's messenger, an abode of matchless strength, known as the son of Anjani and the son of the Wind.
महावीर विक्रम बजरंगी ।
कुमति निवार सुमति के सङ्गी ॥३॥
Mahaveer Bikram Bajrangi,
Kumati nivaar sumati ke sangi.
Great hero, mighty and thunderbolt-limbed, you dispel evil thought and keep company with good sense.
कंचन वरन विराज सुवेसा ।
कानन कुण्डल कुंचित केसा ॥४॥
Kanchan baran biraaj subesaa,
Kaanan kundal kunchit kesaa.
Golden of hue, splendidly adorned, wearing earrings, with curly hair.
हाथ वज्र औ ध्वजा विराजे ।
काँधे मूँज जनेउ साजै ॥५॥
Haath bajra au dhwajaa biraaje,
Kaandhe moonj janeu saaje.
In your hand shine a mace and a banner; across your shoulder rests a sacred thread of munja grass.
शंकर सुवन केसरीनन्दन ।
तेज प्रताप महा जग बंधन ॥६॥
Shankar suvan Kesari nandan,
Tej prataap mahaa jag bandan.
Shiva's own aspect, Kesari's beloved son: your brilliance and glory are honoured throughout the world.
विद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर ।
राम काज करिबे को आतुर ॥७॥
Vidyaavaan guni ati chaatur,
Raam kaaj karibe ko aatur.
Learned, virtuous and supremely skilful, ever eager to carry out Ram's work.
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया ।
राम लखन सीता मन बसिया ॥८॥
Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiyaa,
Raam Lakhan Seeta man basiyaa.
You delight in hearing the Lord's deeds; Ram, Lakshman and Sita dwell in your heart.
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा ।
विकत रूप धरि लंक जरावा ॥९॥
Sookshma roop dhari Siyahin dikhaavaa,
Bikat roop dhari Lank jaraavaa.
Taking a tiny form, you showed yourself to Sita; taking a fearsome form, you burned Lanka.
भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे ।
रामचन्द्र के काज सँवारे ॥१०॥
Bheem roop dhari asur sanhaare,
Ramchandra ke kaaj sanvaare.
Taking a colossal form, you destroyed demons and accomplished Ram's tasks.
लाय संजीवन लखन जियाये ।
श्रीरघुवीर हरषि उर लाये ॥११॥
Laay Sanjeevan Lakhan jiyaaye,
Shri Raghuveer harashi ur laaye.
You brought the Sanjivani herb and revived Lakshman; Ram joyfully embraced you.
रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई ।
तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई ॥१२॥
Raghupati keenhi bahut baraai,
Tum mam priya Bharatahi sam bhaai.
Ram praised you greatly, saying: you are as dear to me as my own brother Bharat.
सहस बदन तुह्मारो जस गावैं ।
अस कहि श्रीपति कण्ठ लगावैं ॥१३॥
Sahas badan tumharo jasa gaavai,
As kahi Shreepati kanth lagaavai.
"May a thousand mouths sing your praise," said the Lord of Lakshmi, and drew you to his heart.
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा ।
नारद सारद सहित अहीसा ॥१४॥
Sanakaadik Brahmaadi muneesaa,
Naarad Saarad sahit Aheesaa.
Sages Sanaka and others, Brahma and the great seers, Narada, Saraswati and the lord of serpents,
यम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते ।
कवि कोविद कहि सके कहाँ ते ॥१५॥
Yam Kuber Digpaal jahaan te,
Kavi kovid kahi sake kahaan te.
as well as Yama, Kubera, and the guardians of the directions: where indeed could a poet or scholar find words to describe your glory?
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा ।
राम मिलाय राज पद दीह्ना ॥१६॥
Tum upkaar Sugreevahin keenhaa,
Raam milaay raajpad deenhaa.
You did Sugriva a great favour: uniting him with Ram, you secured his kingdom for him.
तुम्हारो मन्त्र विभीषण माना ।
लंकेश्वर भए सब जग जाना ॥१७॥
Tumharo mantra Vibheeshan maanaa,
Lankeshwar bhaye sab jag jaanaa.
Vibhishan heeded your counsel; the whole world knows he became lord of Lanka because of it.
जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानु ।
लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू ॥१८॥
Jug sahastra jojan par Bhaanu,
Leelyo taahi madhur phal jaanu.
The sun, thousands of yojanas away, you swallowed thinking it a sweet fruit.
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं ।
जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं ॥१९॥
Prabhu mudrikaa meli mukh maahin,
Jaladhi laangh gaye achraj naahin.
Carrying the Lord's ring in your mouth, it is no wonder you leapt across the ocean.
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते ।
सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हारे तेते ॥२०॥
Durgam kaaj jagat ke jete,
Sugam anugrah tumhare tete.
However difficult a task in this world, it becomes easy through your grace.
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे ।
होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे ॥२१॥
Raam duaare tum rakhvaare,
Hot na aagyaa binu paisaare.
You stand guard at Ram's door; none may enter without your leave.
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना ।
तुम रक्षक काहू को डर ना ॥२२॥
Sab sukh lahai tumhaari sarnaa,
Tum rakshak kaahu ko dar naa.
All happiness is found in your shelter; with you as protector, there is nothing to fear.
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै ।
तीनों लोक हाँक तें काँपै ॥२३॥
Aapan tej samhaaro aapai,
Teeno lok haank te kaanpai.
Only you can contain your own splendour; all three worlds tremble at your battle cry.
भूत पिशाच निकट नहिं आवै ।
महावीर जब नाम सुनावै ॥२४॥
Bhoot pishaach nikat nahin aavai,
Mahaveer jab naam sunaavai.
Ghosts and evil spirits dare not come near when your great name, Mahavir, is spoken.
नासै रोग हरै सब पीड़ा ।
जपत निरन्तर हनुमत बीरा ॥२५॥
Naasai rog harai sab peeraa,
Japat nirantar Hanumat beeraa.
Illness fades and every pain is removed for one who ceaselessly repeats brave Hanuman's name.
संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै ।
मन क्रम वचन ध्यान जो लावै ॥२६॥
Sankat te Hanuman chhudaavai,
Man kram vachan dhyaan jo laavai.
Hanuman frees from hardship those who fix their thought, deed and word upon him.
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा ।
तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा ॥२७॥
Sab par Raam tapasvee raajaa,
Tin ke kaaj sakal tum saajaa.
Ram, the ascetic king, reigns above all; you accomplish every one of his tasks.
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै ।
सोई अमित जीवन फल पावै ॥२८॥
Aur manorath jo koi laavai,
Soi amit jeevan phal paavai.
Whoever comes to you with a heartfelt wish receives the boundless fruit of life.
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा ।
है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा ॥२९॥
Chaaron jug partaap tumhaaraa,
Hai parasiddha jagat ujiyaaraa.
Through all four ages your glory has shone, renowned and radiant across the world.
साधु सन्त के तुम रखवारे ।
असुर निकन्दन राम दुलारे ॥३०॥
Saadhu sant ke tum rakhvaare,
Asur nikandan Raam dulaare.
You are the guardian of saints and sages, destroyer of demons, and Ram's beloved.
अष्टसिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता ।
अस वर दीन जानकी माता ॥३१॥
Ashta-siddhi nau nidhi ke daataa,
As var deen Jaanki maataa.
You grant the eight siddhis and nine treasures: this boon was given to you by Mother Sita.
राम रसायन तुम्हारे पासा ।
सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा ॥३२॥
Raam rasaayan tumhare paasaa,
Sadaa raho Raghupati ke daasaa.
You hold the very elixir of devotion to Ram, and remain forever his servant.
तुम्हारे भजन राम को पावै ।
जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै ॥३३॥
Tumhare bhajan Raam ko paavai,
Janam janam ke dukh bisaraavai.
Through devotion to you, one reaches Ram, and the sorrows of countless lifetimes are forgotten.
अन्त काल रघुवर पुर जाई ।
जहाँ जन्म हरिभक्त कहाई ॥३४॥
Ant kaal Raghubar pur jaai,
Jahaan janma Hari-bhakt kahaai.
At life's end such a devotee goes to Ram's own abode, and is born thereafter as one known for devotion to the Lord.
और देवता चित्त न धरई ।
हनुमत सेइ सर्व सुख करई ॥३५॥
Aur devataa chitt na dharai,
Hanumat sei sarva sukh karai.
One need turn the mind to no other deity; serving Hanuman alone brings every happiness.
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीड़ा ।
जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा ॥३६॥
Sankat kate mite sab peeraa,
Jo sumirai Hanumat balbeeraa.
Every hardship is cut away and all pain removed for one who remembers mighty, brave Hanuman.
जय जय जय हनुमान गोसाईं ।
कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं ॥३७॥
Jai jai jai Hanuman gosaain,
Kripaa karahu gurudev ki naain.
Victory, victory, victory to you, Lord Hanuman: show me grace as a true teacher would.
जो शत बार पाठ कर कोई ।
छूटहि बन्दि महा सुख होई ॥३८॥
Jo shat baar paath kar koi,
Chhootahi bandi mahaa sukh hoi.
Whoever recites this a hundred times is freed from bondage and attains great happiness.
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा ।
होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा ॥३९॥
Jo yah padhai Hanuman Chaalisaa,
Hoy siddhi saakhi Gaureesaa.
Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa attains success, and Shiva himself is witness to this.
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा ।
कीजै नाथ हृदय महँ डेरा ॥४०॥
Tulsidas sadaa Hari cheraa,
Keejai naath hriday mahn deraa.
Tulsidas, forever a servant of the Lord, prays: O Lord, make your home within my heart.
पवनतनय संकट हरन
मंगल मूरति रूप ।
राम लखन सीता सहित
हृदय बसहु सुर भूप ॥
Pavantanay sankat haran,
Mangal moorati roop,
Raam Lakhan Seeta sahit,
Hriday basahu sur bhoop.
O son of the Wind, remover of hardship, embodiment of all that is auspicious: dwell in my heart together with Ram, Lakshman and Sita, O king among gods.
"Chalisa" means "forty" in Hindi, and the Hanuman Chalisa takes its name from its forty main verses (called chaupais), framed by two opening dohas (couplets) and one closing doha: 43 verses in total. It was composed by Goswami Tulsidas, the same poet-saint who wrote the Ramcharitmanas (a retelling of the Ramayana in the Awadhi language), and it praises Hanuman's strength, wisdom, devotion, and lifelong service to Lord Rama.
The hymn is written in Awadhi, a language closely related to Hindi, deliberately chosen by Tulsidas so that ordinary people, not only Sanskrit-trained priests, could recite it and understand its meaning. That choice is a large part of why the Chalisa remains, five centuries later, one of the most widely recited texts in Hinduism: it is short enough to memorize, rhythmic enough to chant, and plain-spoken enough to follow without a scholar's training.
A step-by-step guide to reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, from preparation to pace.
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