DevotionalHindi16th century (traditional attribution)
Hanuman Chalisa
हनुमान चालीसा
The Hanuman Chalisa is a devotional hymn to Hanuman, the devoted servant of Ram, attributed to the poet-saint Tulsidas. Its name comes from chalis, forty, the number of its chaupai verses, and it is one of the most widely recited prayers in India.
- Written by
- Tulsidas (died 1623)
- Music
- Traditional
- In the video
- Hariharan
- Context
- Forty-verse hymn to Hanuman in Awadhi, attributed to Tulsidas
- Year
- 16th century (traditional attribution)
- Language
- Hindi
Hanuman Chalisa lyrics with English translation
Full text as transcribed by Kavita Kosh. Its numbering counts the two opening dohas as 1 and 2, so the chaupais run from 3 to 40 and the last two chaupais and the closing doha are unnumbered; in the usual counting there are 40 chaupais in all. Spellings follow the source; printed editions vary slightly.
श्री गुरू चरण सरोज रज, निज मन मुकुरु सुधारि, बरनउं रघुबर बिमल जसु, जो दायकु फल चारि ॥1॥
Shri Guru charan saroj raj, nij man mukuru sudhari, Baranaun Raghubar bimal jasu, jo dayaku phal chari ॥1॥
Cleansing the mirror of my mind with the dust of my Guru's lotus feet, I sing the pure glory of Raghubar, Ram, which grants the four fruits of life. ॥1॥
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके, सुमिरौं पवन कुमार, बल बुद्धि विद्या देहु मोहि, हरहु कलेस बिकार ॥2॥
Buddhiheen tanu janike, sumiraun Pavan Kumar, Bal buddhi vidya dehu mohi, harahu kales bikar ॥2॥
Knowing my body to be without wisdom, I remember you, son of the Wind; give me strength, wisdom and knowledge, and take away my troubles and faults. ॥2॥
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर, जय कपीस तिहुं लोक उजागर ॥3॥
Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar, Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar ॥3॥
Victory to Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue; victory to the lord of the monkeys, who lights up the three worlds. ॥3॥
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा, अंजनि-पुत्र पवनसुत नामा ॥4॥
Ram doot atulit bal dhama, Anjani-putra Pavansut nama ॥4॥
You are Ram's messenger, home of strength beyond measure, known as Anjani's son and son of the Wind. ॥4॥
महावीर बिक्रम बजरंगी, कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी ॥5॥
Mahavir bikram Bajrangi, Kumati nivar sumati ke sangi ॥5॥
Great hero, mighty one, with a body strong as a thunderbolt, you drive away bad thoughts and are the companion of good ones. ॥5॥
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा, कानन कुंडल कुँचित केसा ॥6॥
Kanchan baran biraj subesa, Kanan kundal kunchit kesa ॥6॥
Golden in colour, beautifully dressed, with earrings in your ears and curling hair. ॥6॥
हाथ बज्र और ध्वजा बिराजे, काँधे मूंज जनेऊ साजे ॥7॥
Hath bajra aur dhvaja biraje, Kandhe moonj janeu saje ॥7॥
In your hands shine the thunderbolt and the banner; the sacred thread of munja grass adorns your shoulder. ॥7॥
शंकर सुवन केसरी नंदन, तेज प्रताप महा जगवंदन ॥8॥
Shankar suvan Kesari nandan, Tej pratap maha jagvandan ॥8॥
Son of Shankar and delight of Kesari, your radiance and might are honoured by the whole world. ॥8॥
विद्यावान गुनि अति चातुर, राम काज करिबे को आतुर ॥9॥
Vidyavan guni ati chatur, Ram kaj karibe ko atur ॥9॥
Learned, virtuous and very wise, you are always eager to do Ram's work. ॥9॥
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया, राम लखन सीता मन बसिया ॥10॥
Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiya, Ram Lakhan Sita man basiya ॥10॥
You delight in hearing the Lord's story; Ram, Lakshman and Sita live in your heart. ॥10॥
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा, विकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा ॥11॥
Sookshma roop dhari Siyahin dikhava, Vikat roop dhari Lank jarava ॥11॥
Taking a tiny form you appeared before Sita; taking a fearsome form you set Lanka on fire. ॥11॥
भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे, रामचंद्र के काज सवाँरे ॥12॥
Bhim roop dhari asur sanhare, Ramchandra ke kaj sanvare ॥12॥
Taking a giant form you destroyed the demons and completed the tasks of Ramchandra. ॥12॥
लाय संजीवन लखन जियाए, श्री रघुबीर हरषि उर लाए ॥13॥
Laye Sanjivan Lakhan jiyaye, Shri Raghubir harashi ur laye ॥13॥
You brought the sanjivani herb and revived Lakshman, and Raghubir, overjoyed, held you to his heart. ॥13॥
रघुपति किन्ही बहुत बड़ाई, तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई ॥14॥
Raghupati kinhi bahut badai, Tum mam priya Bharatahi sam bhai ॥14॥
Raghupati praised you greatly: "You are as dear to me as my brother Bharata." ॥14॥
सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं, अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं ॥15॥
Sahas badan tumharo jas gavain, As kahi Shripati kanth lagavain ॥15॥
"May the thousand-mouthed serpent sing your glory," said the Lord of Shri, and embraced you. ॥15॥
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा, नारद सारद सहित अहीसा ॥16॥
Sanakadik Brahmadi munisa, Narad Sarad sahit Ahisa ॥16॥
Sanaka and the sages, Brahma and the gods, Narada, Sarasvati and the king of serpents, ॥16॥
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते, कवि कोविद कहि सकें कहाँ ते ॥17॥
Jam Kuber Digpal jahan te, Kavi kovid kahi saken kahan te ॥17॥
Yama, Kubera and the guardians of the directions, poets and scholars: none can fully tell your glory. ॥17॥
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं किन्हा, राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा ॥18॥
Tum upkar Sugrivahin kinha, Ram milaye raj pad dinha ॥18॥
You did a great service to Sugriva: you brought him to Ram and gave him back his throne. ॥18॥
तुम्हरो मंत्र विभीषन माना, लंकेश्वर भये सब जग जाना ॥19॥
Tumharo mantra Vibhishan mana, Lankeshwar bhaye sab jag jana ॥19॥
Vibhishana followed your counsel and became king of Lanka, as the whole world knows. ॥19॥
जुग सहस्त्र जोजन पर भानू, लील्यो ताहि मधुर फ़ल जानू ॥20॥
Jug sahastra jojan par Bhanu, Lilyo tahi madhur phal janu ॥20॥
The sun, thousands of leagues away, you swallowed, thinking it a sweet fruit. ॥20॥
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं, जलधि लाँघि गए अचरज नाहीं ॥21॥
Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahin, Jaladhi langhi gaye acharaj nahin ॥21॥
Holding the Lord's ring in your mouth you leapt across the ocean; no wonder in that. ॥21॥
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते, सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते ॥22॥
Durgam kaj jagat ke jete, Sugam anugrah tumhare tete ॥22॥
Every hard task in the world becomes easy by your grace. ॥22॥
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे, होत ना आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे ॥23॥
Ram duare tum rakhvare, Hot na agya binu paisare ॥23॥
You are the guardian at Ram's door; no one enters without your leave. ॥23॥
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी शरना, तुम रक्षक काहु को डरना ॥24॥
Sab sukh lahai tumhari sharna, Tum rakshak kahu ko darna ॥24॥
All happiness comes to those who take refuge in you; with you as protector, whom need they fear? ॥24॥
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै, तीनों लोक हाँक तै कांपै ॥25॥
Aapan tej samharo aapai, Teenon lok hank tai kanpai ॥25॥
You alone can hold your own power; the three worlds tremble at your roar. ॥25॥
भूत पिशाच निकट नहि आवै, महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै ॥26॥
Bhoot pishach nikat nahi aavai, Mahavir jab naam sunavai ॥26॥
Ghosts and evil spirits do not come near when the name of Mahavir is spoken. ॥26॥
नासै रोग हरे सब पीरा, जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा ॥27॥
Nasai rog hare sab peera, Japat nirantar Hanumat beera ॥27॥
Disease is destroyed and all pain removed by constantly repeating the name of brave Hanuman. ॥27॥
संकट तै हनुमान छुडावै, मन करम वचन ध्यान जो लावै ॥28॥
Sankat tai Hanuman chhudavai, Man karam vachan dhyan jo lavai ॥28॥
Hanuman frees from trouble those who fix on him in mind, deed and word. ॥28॥
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा, तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा ॥29॥
Sab par Ram tapasvi raja, Tin ke kaj sakal tum saja ॥29॥
Ram the ascetic is king over all, and you carried out all his work. ॥29॥
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै, सोइ अमित जीवन फ़ल पावै ॥30॥
Aur manorath jo koi lavai, Soi amit jivan phal pavai ॥30॥
Whoever comes to you with any other wish receives the boundless fruit of life. ॥30॥
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा, है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा ॥31॥
Charon jug partap tumhara, Hai parsiddh jagat ujiyara ॥31॥
Your glory fills all four ages; your light is famous throughout the world. ॥31॥
साधु संत के तुम रखवारे, असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे ॥32॥
Sadhu sant ke tum rakhvare, Asur nikandan Ram dulare ॥32॥
You are the guardian of saints and sages, destroyer of demons, beloved of Ram. ॥32॥
अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता, अस वर दीन्ह जानकी माता ॥33॥
Ashta siddhi nau nidhi ke data, As var dinh Janaki mata ॥33॥
You give the eight powers and nine treasures; mother Janaki granted you this boon. ॥33॥
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा, सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा ॥34॥
Ram rasayan tumhare pasa, Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa ॥34॥
You hold the elixir of Ram's name; may you always remain Raghupati's servant. ॥34॥
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै, जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै ॥35॥
Tumhare bhajan Ram ko pavai, Janam janam ke dukh bisravai ॥35॥
Through devotion to you one reaches Ram and forgets the sorrows of many births. ॥35॥
अंतकाल रघुवरपूर जाई, जहाँ जन्म हरि-भक्त कहाई ॥36॥
Antkal Raghuvarpur jai, Jahan janm Hari-bhakt kahai ॥36॥
At the end one goes to Ram's city, and wherever born again is called a devotee of Hari. ॥36॥
और देवता चित्त ना धरई, हनुमत सेइ सर्व सुख करई ॥37॥
Aur devta chitt na dharai, Hanumat sei sarv sukh karai ॥37॥
One need not hold any other god in mind; serving Hanuman brings every happiness. ॥37॥
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा, जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा ॥38॥
Sankat katai mitai sab peera, Jo sumirai Hanumat balbeera ॥38॥
Troubles are cut away and all pain ends for whoever remembers mighty, brave Hanuman. ॥38॥
जै जै जै हनुमान गुसाईँ, कृपा करहु गुरु देव की नाईं ॥39॥
Jai jai jai Hanuman Gosain, Kripa karahu gurudev ki nain ॥39॥
Victory, victory, victory to Lord Hanuman; be gracious to me as my Guru is. ॥39॥
जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई, छूटइ बंदि महा सुख होई ॥40॥
Jo sat bar path kar koi, Chhootahi bandi maha sukh hoi ॥40॥
Whoever recites this a hundred times is freed from bondage and finds great joy. ॥40॥
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा, होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा,
Jo yah padhai Hanuman Chalisa, Hoy siddhi sakhi Gaurisa,
Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa will succeed; Gauri's lord, Shiva, is witness.
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा, कीजै नाथ ह्रदय महं डेरा,
Tulsidas sada Hari chera, Kijai nath hriday mahan dera,
Tulsidas, forever the servant of Hari, prays: Lord, make your home in my heart.
पवन तनय संकट हरण्, मंगल मूरति रूप ॥ राम लखन सीता सहित, हृदय बसहु सुर भूप ॥
Pavan tanay sankat haran, mangal moorati roop ॥ Ram Lakhan Sita sahit, hriday basahu sur bhoop ॥
Son of the Wind, remover of troubles, embodiment of blessing, dwell in my heart with Ram, Lakshman and Sita, O king of the gods.
Translation: Lyriccs (original translation). Transliteration: Lyriccs.
The story behind Hanuman Chalisa
Tulsidas, the 16th-century poet best known for the Ramcharitmanas, is traditionally credited with the hymn. He is said to have died in 1623 in Varanasi. The Chalisa is written in Awadhi, the same eastern Hindi language as the Ramcharitmanas, and uses the same chaupai and doha metres.
The hymn opens with two dohas asking for the Guru's grace and Hanuman's help, follows with forty chaupais and closes with a final doha. The verses retell Hanuman's deeds from the Ramayana: finding Sita in Lanka, burning the city, bringing the sanjivani herb to revive Lakshman, and serving Ram's cause.
Millions recite it daily, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at home and in temples. Many recordings exist; the 1990s version sung by Hariharan and released by T-Series, with a video featuring Gulshan Kumar, became one of the most watched devotional videos on YouTube.
What Hanuman Chalisa means
The Chalisa praises Hanuman both for his power and for his humility. He is the ocean of wisdom, the messenger of Ram and the son of the Wind, golden and strong, yet always eager to serve. Each episode shows his strength used for others: helping Sugriva regain his kingdom, guiding Vibhishana, crossing the ocean and protecting Ram's door.
Its later verses turn to the devotee. Remembering Hanuman removes fear, illness and trouble, and through devotion to him one reaches Ram himself. The closing lines ask Hanuman, with Ram, Lakshman and Sita, to live in the singer's heart. Its simple language, steady rhythm and promise of courage are why people turn to it in moments of fear as well as in daily prayer.
Quick facts
- Chalisa comes from chalis, forty, the number of its chaupai verses.
- It is written in Awadhi, the language of Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas.
- Tulsidas is traditionally said to have died in 1623 in Varanasi.
- It opens with two dohas and closes with one.