Pitar Chalisa

Pitar Chalisa

The Pitar Chalisa is a revered forty-verse devotional hymn dedicated to the Pitars or Pitrus, the ancestral spirits in Hinduism. Rooted in the spiritual traditions of Sanatan Dharma, this sacred composition is chanted to honor and seek blessings from departed ancestors, whose guidance and grace are believed to influence the prosperity, peace, and well-being of their descendants. The term “Chalisa” refers to a poetic structure comprising forty (chalis in Hindi) verses, a format popularized by devotional hymns like the Hanuman Chalisa. The Pitar Chalisa holds a unique place in Hindu rituals, particularly during Pitru Paksha, a fortnight dedicated to performing rites for ancestors.

Pitar Chalisa

॥ Doha ॥
He Pitareshwara Apako,De Diyo Ashirvada।
Charanashisha Nava Diyo,Rakhado Sira Para Hatha॥

Sabase Pahale Ganapata,Pachhe Ghara Ka Deva Manava Ji।
He Pitareshwara Daya Rakhiyo,Kariyo Mana Ki Chaya Ji॥

॥ Chaupai ॥

Pitareshwara Karo Marga Ujagara।
Charana Raja Ki Mukti Sagara॥

Parama Upakara Pittareshwara Kinha।
Manushya Yoni Me Janma Dinha॥

Matri-Pitri Deva Manajo Bhave।
Soi Amita Jivana Phala Pave॥

Jai-Jai-Jai Pittara Ji Sai।
Pitri Rina Bina Mukti Nahi॥

Charon Ora Pratapa Tumhara।
Sankata Me Tera Hi Sahara॥

Narayana Adhara Srishti Ka।
Pittaraji Ansha Usi Drishti Ka॥

Prathama Pujana Prabhu Agya Sunate।
Bhagya Dvara Apa Hi Khulavate॥

Jhunjhunu Me Darabara Hai Saje।
Saba Devon Sanga Apa Viraje॥

Prasanna Hoya Manavanchhita Phala Dinha।
Kupita Hoya Buddhi Hara Linha॥

Pittara Mahima Sabase Nyari।
Jisaka Gunagave Nara Nari॥

Tina Manda Me Apa Biraje।
Basu Rudra Aditya Me Saje॥

Natha Sakala Sampada Tumhari।
Mai Sevaka Sameta Suta Nari॥

Chhappana Bhoga Nahi Hain Bhate।
Shuddha Jala Se Hi Tripta Ho Jate॥

Tumhare Bhajan Parama Hitakari।
Chhote Bade Sabhi Adhikari॥

Bhanu Udaya Sanga Apa Pujavai।
Pancha Anjuli Jala Rijhave॥

Dhvaja Pataka Manda Pe Hai Saje।
Akhanda Jyoti Mein Apa Viraje॥

Sadiyo Purani Jyoti Tumhari।
Dhanya Hui Janma Bhumi Hamari॥

Shahida Hamare Yahan Pujate।
Matri Bhakti Sandesha Sunate॥

Jagata Pittaro Siddhanta Hamara।
Dharma Jati Ka Nahi Hai Nara॥

Hindu, Muslima, Sikha, Isai।
Saba Puje Pittara Bhai॥

Hindu Vansha Vriksha Hai Hamara।
Jana Se Jyada Hamako Pyara॥

Ganga Ye Marupradesha Ki।
Pitri Tarpana Anivarya Parivesha Ki॥

Bandhu Chhodana Inake Charana।
Inhi Ki Kripa Se Mile Prabhu Sharana॥

Chaudasa Ko Jagarana Karavate।
Amavasa Ko Hama Dhoka Lagate॥

Jata Jadula Sabhi Manate।
Nandimukha Shraddha Sabhi Karavate॥

Dhanya Janma Bhumi Ka Vo Phula Hai।
Jise Pitri Mandala Ki Mili Dhula Hai॥

Shri Pittara Ji Bhakta Hitakari।
Suna Lije Prabhu Araja Hamari॥

Nishadina Dhyana Dhare Jo Koi।
Ta Sama Bhakta Aura Nahi Koi॥

Tuma Anatha Ke Natha Sahai।
Dinana Ke Ho Tuma Sada Sahai॥

Charika Veda Prabhu Ke Sakhi।
Tuma Bhaktana Ki Lajja Rakhi॥

Nama Tumharo Leta Jo Koi।
Ta Sama Dhanya Aura Nahi Koi॥

Jo Tumhare Nita Panva Palotata।
Navo Siddhi Charana Me Lotata॥

Siddhi Tumhari Saba Mangalakari।
Jo Tuma Pe Jave Balihari॥

Jo Tumhare Charana Chitta Lave।
Taki Mukti Avasi Ho Jave॥

Satya Bhajana Tumharo Jo Gave।
So Nishchaya Charon Phala Pave॥

Tumahi Deva Kuladeva Hamare।
Tumhi Gurudeva Prana Se Pyare॥

Satya Asa Mana Men Jo Hoi।
Manavanchhita Phala Pave Soi॥

Tumhari Mahima Buddhi Badai।
Shesha Sahasra Mukha Sake Na Gai॥

Main Atidina Malina Dukhari।
Karahu Kauna Vidhi Vinaya Tumhari॥

Aba Pittara Ji Daya Dina Para Kijai।
Apani Bhakti Shakti Kachhu Dijai॥

॥ Doha ॥

Pittaraun Ko Sthana Do,Tiratha Aura Swayam Grama।
Shraddha Sumana Chadhen Vahan,Purana Ho Saba Kama॥

Jhunjhunu Dhama Viraje Hain,Pittara Hamare Mahana।
Darshana Se Jivana Saphala Ho,Puje Sakala Jahana॥

Jivana Saphala Jo Chahiye,Chale Jhunjhunu Dham।
Pittara Charana Ki Dhula Le,Ho Jivana Saphala Mahana॥

Significance of Reciting the Pitar Chalisa

The Pitar Chalisa is more than a devotional hymn; it is a spiritual practice that fosters a deep connection with one’s roots. Its recitation holds profound significance in Hindu spirituality:

1. Appeasing Ancestors: Chanting the Pitar Chalisa is believed to please the Pitars, ensuring their contentment and blessings. This is particularly important during Pitru Paksha, when ancestors are thought to visit the earthly realm.
2. Mitigating Pitru Dosha: In Vedic astrology, Pitru Dosha (ancestral affliction) is a karmic condition in one’s horoscope that may cause obstacles, delays, or misfortunes. Regular recitation of the Pitar Chalisa is said to alleviate these effects by seeking ancestral forgiveness.
3. Promoting Family Harmony: Honoring ancestors fosters a sense of gratitude and unity within families, reinforcing the values of lineage and continuity.
4. Spiritual Growth: The hymn encourages humility and devotion, reminding devotees of their place in the cosmic cycle and their dependence on divine and ancestral grace.
5. Mental Peace: The act of chanting, especially in a meditative setting, brings calmness and clarity, helping devotees release guilt or unresolved emotions tied to their ancestors.

How to Recite the Pitar Chalisa

To maximize the spiritual benefits of the Pitar Chalisa, devotees are advised to follow a disciplined approach:

1. Preparation:
   • Bathe and wear clean clothes to purify the body and mind.
   • Choose a quiet, clean space, preferably facing east or north, where you can focus.
   • If possible, set up a small altar with a photo or symbol of ancestors, along with offerings like water, flowers, or sesame seeds.
2. Timing:
   • The ideal time is early morning, during Brahma Muhurta (pre-dawn hours), or during Pitru Paksha.
   • Amavasya days, especially Sarva Pitru Amavasya, are considered highly auspicious.
3. Recitation:
   • Begin with a prayer to Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles, followed by reverence to household deities.
   • Chant the Pitar Chalisa slowly and with devotion, focusing on the meaning of each verse.
   • Maintain a respectful posture, sitting cross-legged or on a mat.
4. Offerings:
   • Offer water (Tarpan), black sesame seeds, or simple food items like rice balls (Pinda) to ancestors.
   • Light a lamp (diya) with sesame oil or ghee to symbolize divine light.
5. Post-Recitation:
   • Conclude with a prayer for forgiveness for any mistakes during the chant.
   • Distribute prasad (offered food) or donate to the needy in the name of ancestors.

Consistency enhances the efficacy of the practice. Many devotees chant the Pitar Chalisa daily during Pitru Paksha or weekly on Amavasya.