Hanuman Chalisa
Composed by Tulsidas
Forty devotional verses in praise of Lord Hanuman, the most widely recited Chalisa in India.
About Hanuman Chalisa
The Hanuman Chalisa (chalisa meaning 'forty') is a forty-verse devotional hymn composed by the poet-saint Tulsidas in the Awadhi dialect of Hindi. Though shorter than the grand Sanskrit stotras, it is perhaps the most universally recited hymn in India, chanted daily by hundreds of millions of devotees regardless of sectarian affiliation.
The Chalisa opens with two couplets (dohas) praising the lotus feet of the Guru and the grace of Lord Rama before launching into forty chaupai verses. It narrates Hanuman's birth as the son of Vayu (the wind god) and Anjana, his incomparable strength, his service to Rama, his crossing of the ocean, his burning of Lanka, his rescue of Lakshmana with the Sanjeevani herb, and his status as a perfect devotee who transcends the four ages.
Tulsidas infuses great theological depth into simple, memorable verse. Hanuman is simultaneously worshipped as a devotee of Rama, an avatar of Shiva, and an independent deity who grants protection from ghosts, diseases, and all forms of fear. The Phala Shruti promises that sincere recitation of the Chalisa brings liberation and all worldly blessings.
Source: Composed by Tulsidas in Awadhi
Verses
Sanskrit
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि । बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु जो दायकु फल चारि ॥
Transliteration
Śrī Guru Carana Saroja Raja Nija Manu Mukuru Sudhāri | Baranaũ Raghubara Bimala Jasu Jo Dāyaku Phala Cāri ||
Meaning
Having cleansed the mirror of my heart with the dust of my Guru's lotus feet, I recite the pure glory of Rama (the best of the Raghu clan), which bestows the four fruits of life (dharma, artha, kama, moksha).
Sanskrit
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर । जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर ॥
Transliteration
Jaya Hanumāna Jñāna Guṇa Sāgara | Jaya Kapīśa Tihuṃ Loka Ujāgara ||
Meaning
Victory to Hanuman, the ocean of wisdom and virtue! Victory to the Lord of monkeys who illuminates all three worlds!
Sanskrit
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा । अञ्जनिपुत्र पवनसुत नामा ॥
Transliteration
Rāma Dūta Atulita Bala Dhāmā | Añjani Putra Pavanasuta Nāmā ||
Meaning
He is Rama's messenger, the abode of incomparable strength; he is known as the son of Anjana and the son of Pavana (the wind god).
Sanskrit
महावीर विक्रम बजरङ्गी । कुमति निवार सुमति के सङ्गी ॥
Transliteration
Mahāvīra Vikrama Bajaraṅgī | Kumati Nivāra Sumati Ke Saṅgī ||
Meaning
He is the great hero, powerful as the thunderbolt, with a body as strong as diamond; he removes evil intellect and is the companion of righteous intelligence.
Sanskrit
भूत पिशाच निकट नहिं आवै । महावीर जब नाम सुनावै ॥
Transliteration
Bhūta Piśāca Nikaṭa Nahiṃ Āvai | Mahāvīra Jaba Nāma Sunāvai ||
Meaning
Ghosts and evil spirits cannot come near when the name of the great hero Hanuman is uttered — he is the destroyer of all fear and malevolent forces.
Benefits of Reciting Hanuman Chalisa
- ✓Provides powerful protection against ghosts, evil spirits, and negative energies
- ✓Grants immense physical and mental strength to face life's challenges
- ✓Removes obstacles and grants success in all endeavours
- ✓Bestows devotion to Lord Rama and purifies the mind from evil thoughts
- ✓Said to ward off the malefic effects of Saturn (Shani) when recited on Saturdays
- ✓Sincere daily recitation leads to liberation and the grace of both Hanuman and Rama