Hanuman Chalisa
Goswami Tulsidas
The Hanuman Chalisa sings of Hanumanji crossing the sea, finding Mata Sita and bringing the herb that saves Lakshman. Devotees recite it in daily prayer, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and ask for strength, clear understanding and help when they are afraid.
Full lyrics
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि। बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु जो दायकु फल चारि॥
Shri Guru charan saroj raj, nij manu mukuru sudhaariBaranau Raghubar bimal jasu, jo daayaku phal chaari
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके सुमिरौं पवनकुमार। बल बुद्धि बिद्या देहु मोहिं हरहु कलेस बिकार॥
Buddhiheen tanu jaanike, sumirau Pawan KumarBal buddhi bidya dehu mohi, harahu kales bikaar
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर। जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर॥१॥
Jai Hanuman gyaan gun saagarJai Kapees tihu lok ujaagar
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा। अंजनिपुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥२॥
Ram doot atulit bal dhaamaAnjani putra Pawansut naama
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी। कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥३॥
Mahabeer bikram BajrangiKumati nivaar sumati ke sangi
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा। कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा॥४॥
Kanchan baran biraaj subesaKaanan kundal kunchit kesa
हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै। काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजै॥५॥
Haath bajra au dhwaja biraajaiKaandhe moonj janeu saajai
Also sung as 'aur dhwaja' or 'aru dhwaja'.
संकर सुवन केसरीनंदन। तेज प्रताप महा जग बंदन॥६॥
Sankar suvan Kesari nandanTej prataap maha jag bandan
Also sung as 'Shankar swayam'. Both readings belong to the devotional tradition.
विद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर। राम काज करिबे को आतुर॥७॥
Bidyavaan guni ati chaaturRam kaaj karibe ko aatur
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया। राम लखन सीता मन बसिया॥८॥
Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiyaRam Lakhan Sita man basiya
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा। बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा॥९॥
Sookshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhaavaBikat roop dhari Lank jaraava
भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे। रामचंद्र के काज सँवारे॥१०॥
Bheem roop dhari asur sanhaareRamchandra ke kaaj sanvaare
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये। श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये॥११॥
Laay sajeevan Lakhan jiyaayeShri Raghubeer harashi ur laaye
Also sung as 'laay sanjeevan' or 'laay sanjeevani'.
रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई। तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई॥१२॥
Raghupati keenhi bahut badaaiTum mam priya Bharatahi sam bhaai
सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं। अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं॥१३॥
Sahas badan tumharo jas gaavaiAs kahi Shripati kanth lagaavai
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा। नारद सारद सहित अहीसा॥१४॥
Sanakaadik Brahmaadi muneesaNaarad Saarad sahit Aheesa
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते। कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहाँ ते॥१५॥
Jam Kuber digpaal jahaan teKabi kobid kahi sake kahaan te
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा। राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा॥१६॥
Tum upkaar Sugreevahi keenhaRam milaay raaj pad deenha
तुम्हरो मंत्र बिभीषन माना। लंकेस्वर भए सब जग जाना॥१७॥
Tumharo mantra Bibheeshan maanaLankeswar bhaye sab jag jaana
जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानू। लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू॥१८॥
Jug sahasra jojan par bhaanuLeelyo taahi madhur phal jaanu
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं। जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं॥१९॥
Prabhu mudrika meli mukh maaheeJaladhi laanghi gaye acharaj naahee
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते। सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते॥२०॥
Durgam kaaj jagat ke jeteSugam anugrah tumhare tete
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे। होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे॥२१॥
Ram duaare tum rakhvaareHot na aagya binu paisaare
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना। तुम रच्छक काहू को डर ना॥२२॥
Sab sukh lahai tumhaari sarnaTum rachchhak kaahu ko dar naa
Another reading is 'sab sukh lahahin'.
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै। तीनों लोक हाँक तें काँपै॥२३॥
Aapan tej samhaaro aapaiTeeno lok haank te kaampai
Another reading is 'sanhaaro'. Here, 'samhaaro' means holding one's own radiance in check.
भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै। महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै॥२४॥
Bhoot pisaach nikat nahi aavaiMahabeer jab naam sunaavai
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा। जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा॥२५॥
Naasai rog harai sab peeraJapat nirantar Hanumat beera
संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै। मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै॥२६॥
Sankat te Hanuman chhudaavaiMan kram bachan dhyaan jo laavai
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा। तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा॥२७॥
Sab par Ram tapasvee raajaTin ke kaaj sakal tum saaja
Also sung as 'Ram raay sirtaaja'.
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै। सोई अमित जीवन फल पावै॥२८॥
Aur manorath jo koi laavaiSoi amit jeevan phal paavai
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा। है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा॥२९॥
Chaaro jug prataap tumhaaraHai parasiddh jagat ujiyaara
साधु संत के तुम रखवारे। असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे॥३०॥
Saadhu sant ke tum rakhvaareAsur nikandan Ram dulaare
अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता। अस बर दीन जानकी माता॥३१॥
Ashta siddhi nau nidhi ke daataAs bar deen Janaki Maata
Another reading is 'as bar deenh'. 'Nau nidhi' is also sung as 'nav nidhi'.
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा। सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा॥३२॥
Ram rasaayan tumhare paasaSadaa raho Raghupati ke daasa
Another reading is 'saadar hau'.
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै। जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै॥३३॥
Tumhare bhajan Ram ko paavaiJanam janam ke dukh bisraavai
अंत काल रघुबर पुर जाई। जहाँ जन्म हरिभक्त कहाई॥३४॥
Ant kaal Raghubar pur jaaiJahaan janma Haribhakt kahaai
और देवता चित्त न धरई। हनुमत सेई सर्ब सुख करई॥३५॥
Aur devta chitt na dharaiHanumat sei sarb sukh karai
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा। जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥३६॥
Sankat katai mitai sab peeraJo sumirai Hanumat balbeera
जै जै जै हनुमान गोसाईं। कृपा करहु गुरु देव की नाईं॥३७॥
Jai jai jai Hanuman GosaaiKripa karahu Gurudev ki naai
जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई। छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई॥३८॥
Jo sat baar paath kar koiChhootahi bandi maha sukh hoi
Also sung as 'chhootahin bandi' or 'chhootai bandi'.
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चलीसा। होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा॥३९॥
Jo yah padhai Hanuman ChaleesaHoy siddhi saakhi Gaureesa
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा। कीजै नाथ हृदय महँ डेरा॥४०॥
Tulsidas sadaa Hari cheraKeejai Naath hriday mah dera
पवनतनय संकट हरन मंगल मूरति रूप। राम लखन सीता सहित हृदय बसहु सुर भूप॥
Pawantanay sankat haran, mangal moorati roopRam Lakhan Sita sahit, hriday basahu sur bhoop
Meaning, verse by verse
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि। बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु जो दायकु फल चारि॥
With the dust of the Guru's lotus feet, I clean the mirror of my mind. I sing Shri Ram's pure glory, which this doha describes as granting the four aims of life: dharma, righteous living, artha, material well-being, kama, fulfilment of desires, and moksha, liberation.
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके सुमिरौं पवनकुमार। बल बुद्धि बिद्या देहु मोहिं हरहु कलेस बिकार॥
Knowing my limited understanding, I remember Hanumanji, son of the wind god. Grant me strength, wisdom and learning, and remove my suffering and inner faults.
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर। जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर॥१॥
Glory to Hanumanji, ocean of knowledge and virtue. Glory to the lord of the vanaras, whose fame shines through the three worlds.
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा। अंजनिपुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥२॥
You are Shri Ram's messenger and the dwelling place of strength beyond measure. You are known as Mata Anjani's son and the son of the wind god.
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी। कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥३॥
You are a great hero, mighty in action, with a body strong as a thunderbolt. You remove harmful thinking and stand beside those of sound understanding.
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा। कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा॥४॥
Your golden form is beautifully adorned. Earrings shine at your ears, and your hair is curly.
हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै। काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजै॥५॥
A thunderbolt and a flag adorn your hands. A sacred thread of munja grass rests across your shoulder.
संकर सुवन केसरीनंदन। तेज प्रताप महा जग बंदन॥६॥
The hymn calls you Lord Shiva's son and Kesari's son. Devotional tradition understands your relationship with Shiva as being His emanation. The world honours your radiance and mighty deeds.
विद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर। राम काज करिबे को आतुर॥७॥
You possess learning, virtue and keen understanding. You are eager to carry out Shri Ram's work.
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया। राम लखन सीता मन बसिया॥८॥
You delight in hearing the Lord's deeds. Shri Ram, Lakshman and Mata Sita dwell in your heart.
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा। बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा॥९॥
You appeared before Mata Sita in a small form. You took a fearsome form to burn Lanka.
भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे। रामचंद्र के काज सँवारे॥१०॥
You assumed a mighty form and destroyed the demons. You brought Shri Ram's tasks to completion.
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये। श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये॥११॥
You brought the life-restoring herb and revived Lakshman. Shri Ram joyfully held you to His heart.
रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई। तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई॥१२॥
Shri Ram praised you greatly. He called you His brother, as dear to Him as Bharat.
सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं। अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं॥१३॥
Shri Ram said that the thousand-mouthed Shesh sings your glory. Saying this, He held you close.
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा। नारद सारद सहित अहीसा॥१४॥
The sages Sanak and his brothers, Brahma and the great sages, Narad, Goddess Saraswati and Shesh all praise you.
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते। कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहाँ ते॥१५॥
Even Yama, Kuber and the guardians of the directions cannot fully describe your glory. Poets and learned people can express only a little of it.
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा। राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा॥१६॥
You helped Sugriv by bringing him to Shri Ram. Through that friendship, Sugriv regained his kingship.
तुम्हरो मंत्र बिभीषन माना। लंकेस्वर भए सब जग जाना॥१७॥
Vibhishan accepted your counsel. He became the ruler of Lanka, as the whole world knows.
जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानू। लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू॥१८॥
The hymn recalls the later devotional tradition in which you swallowed the distant sun, mistaking it for a sweet fruit.
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं। जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं॥१९॥
Placing Shri Ram's ring in your mouth, you crossed the ocean. Such a deed is no wonder for you.
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते। सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते॥२०॥
The verse expresses faith that your grace makes even the world's difficult tasks easy.
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे। होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे॥२१॥
You guard the doorway to Shri Ram. No one enters without your permission.
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना। तुम रच्छक काहू को डर ना॥२२॥
The devotee expresses trust that your shelter brings every happiness and that, with you as protector, there is no one to fear.
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै। तीनों लोक हाँक तें काँपै॥२३॥
You alone can contain your own power. Your mighty call makes the three worlds tremble.
भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै। महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै॥२४॥
The hymn declares that ghosts and harmful spirits do not come near when your name, Hanumanji the great hero, is spoken.
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा। जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा॥२५॥
The hymn praises constant remembrance of brave Hanumanji as relief from illness and pain. It voices the devotee's faith in His compassionate help.
संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै। मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै॥२६॥
The verse expresses faith that Hanumanji frees from distress those who remember Him in thought, deed and word.
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा। तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा॥२७॥
Shri Ram, the ascetic king, is supreme over all. You carry out all His tasks.
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै। सोई अमित जीवन फल पावै॥२८॥
The hymn expresses faith that whoever brings a wish to you receives abundant fruits in life.
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा। है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा॥२९॥
Your glory endures through all four ages. Your renown brings light to the world.
साधु संत के तुम रखवारे। असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे॥३०॥
You protect holy people and Saints. You destroy demons and are dearly loved by Shri Ram.
अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता। अस बर दीन जानकी माता॥३१॥
The hymn praises you as the giver of the eight spiritual powers and nine treasures, through a boon from Mata Sita. This specific boon belongs to devotional tradition.
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा। सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा॥३२॥
You hold the nectar of devotion to Shri Ram. You remain forever His servant.
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै। जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै॥३३॥
Through devotion to you, one reaches Shri Ram. The sorrow carried through many births falls away.
अंत काल रघुबर पुर जाई। जहाँ जन्म हरिभक्त कहाई॥३४॥
At life's end, the devotee reaches Shri Ram's abode. If born again, the devotee is known as a servant of God.
और देवता चित्त न धरई। हनुमत सेई सर्ब सुख करई॥३५॥
The verse describes wholehearted devotion to Hanumanji, without fixing the mind on other deities, and expresses faith that serving Him brings every happiness.
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा। जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥३६॥
The verse voices the devotee's trust that remembering mighty Hanumanji removes distress and pain.
जै जै जै हनुमान गोसाईं। कृपा करहु गुरु देव की नाईं॥३७॥
Glory again and again to Hanumanji, our Lord. Show us grace as a compassionate Guru would.
जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई। छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई॥३८॥
The hymn declares that one who recites it a hundred times is freed from bondage and finds great happiness.
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चलीसा। होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा॥३९॥
The hymn declares that whoever reads the Hanuman Chalisa attains fulfilment. Lord Shiva is named as the witness.
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा। कीजै नाथ हृदय महँ डेरा॥४०॥
Goswami Tulsidas declares himself forever a servant of God. He asks Hanumanji to make His home in his heart.
पवनतनय संकट हरन मंगल मूरति रूप। राम लखन सीता सहित हृदय बसहु सुर भूप॥
Hanumanji, son of the wind god, you remove distress and embody all that is auspicious. Dwell in my heart with Shri Ram, Lakshman and Mata Sita.
About this hymn
The opening prayer asks for strength, wisdom and learning, and for suffering and inner faults to be removed. The closing prayer asks Hanumanji to dwell in the devotee's heart. Between these prayers, praise takes the form of direct, loving address. Chaupai 40 names Tulsidas as a servant of God, while the hymn's authorship remains traditionally attributed to Goswami Tulsidas.
The story behind it
Kishkindha Kand, doha 4, describes Hanumanji bringing Sugriv and Shri Ram into friendship with fire as their witness. Before Sunderkand, doha 7, He reassures Vibhishan of Shri Ram's love for His servants. Before doha 16, He shows Mata Sita His mighty form, then becomes small again. The burning of Lanka is described before doha 26. Shri Ram anoints Vibhishan before doha 49. In Lanka Kand, before doha 58, Hanumanji lifts the mountain because He cannot identify the herb. Before doha 62, Shri Ram embraces Him, and Sushen treats Lakshman, who sits up joyfully.
What it teaches
Hanumanji teaches us to put ability at the service of someone else's need. Strength has a purpose. The word sumati in chaupai 3 means sound understanding, the judgment that helps us choose a good action before pride or anger takes charge.
For example, a neighbour may ask us to help fill out a form. We know how to do it, but the neighbour reads slowly and asks the same thing twice. Finishing quickly is easy. Sitting beside them until they understand takes patience, especially when we have already begun thinking about our own unfinished work. Similarly, devotion asks us to make our skill useful with care.
After burning Lanka, Hanumanji gives the credit to Shri Ram: “सो सब तव प्रताप रघुराई। नाथ न कछू मोरि प्रभुताई॥५॥” (Ramcharitmanas, Sunderkand, chaupai before doha 33). “All this is Your power, Shri Ram. None of it is my own greatness.” Today, recite one chaupai slowly, consider its meaning, and complete one helpful task.
Questions people ask
What does Hanuman Chalisa mean?
Chalisa refers to the hymn's forty chaupais. The Hanuman Chalisa praises Hanumanji's wisdom, strength and devotion to Shri Ram, and asks for His grace. Two opening dohas and one closing doha frame those forty chaupais.
Who wrote the Hanuman Chalisa?
The Hanuman Chalisa is traditionally attributed to Goswami Tulsidas. It is an independent work, not a part of the Ramcharitmanas.
When can I recite the Hanuman Chalisa?
You can choose a quiet time when you can attend to the words and their meaning. The hymn does not prescribe a weekday or hour. A regular time can help make attentive recitation part of daily worship.
What are the benefits of reciting the Hanuman Chalisa?
Devotees turn to Hanumanji for courage, sound judgment and support in distress. The hymn's prayers for relief express trust in His grace. Recitation can be joined with reflection and service, without treating it as a guarantee of health, wealth or a particular result.
Are the Hanuman Chalisa stories from the Ramcharitmanas?
Several recall the Ramcharitmanas: Sugriv's friendship with Shri Ram in Kishkindha Kand, Mata Sita's meeting with Hanumanji and the burning of Lanka in Sunderkand, and Lakshman's recovery in Lanka Kand. The sun-swallowing account belongs to later devotional tradition. Valmiki's Kishkindha Kanda, sarga 66, verses 21 and 22, instead describes the child Hanumanji leaping towards the sun after mistaking it for a fruit. The Chalisa's wording is its own, so every line should not be read as a quotation from the Manas.
Also written as: Hanuman Chalisa · Hanuman Chaleesa · Shri Hanuman Chalisa · Hanuman Chalisa arth · हनुमान चालीसा · श्रीहनुमान चालीसा · श्री हनुमान चालीसा · हनुमान चालीसा अर्थ
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