Hanuman Chalisa in English
The Hanuman Chalisa is a devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Hanuman, who is revered as a symbol of strength, devotion, and wisdom. It was written by the 16th-century poet-saint Tulsidas in the Awadhi language, which is a dialect of Hindi. The hymn consists of 40 verses (Chalisa means forty in Hindi), excluding the Dohas at the beginning and end.
Hanuman Chalisa
Shri Guru Charan Sarooja-raj Nija manu Mukura Sudhaari
Baranau Rahubhara Bimala Yasha Jo Dayaka Phala Chari
Meaning: After cleansing the mirror of my mind with the pollen dust of holy Guru’s Lotus feet. I Profess the pure.untainted glory of Shri Raghuvar which bestows the four fold fruits of life.
Budhee-Heen Thanu Jannikay Sumirow Pavana Kumara
Bala-Budhee Vidya Dehoo Mohee Harahu Kalesha Vikaara
Meaning: Fully aware of the deficiency of my intelligence, I concentrate my attention on Pavan Kumar and humbly ask for strength, intelligence and true knowledge to relieve me of all blemishes, causing pain.
Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar
Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar
Meaning: Victory to thee, O’Hanuman! Ocean of Wisdom-All hail to you O’Kapisa! You illuminate all the three worlds (Entire cosmos) with your glory.
Ram doot atulit bal dhama
Anjaani-putra Pavan sut nama
Meaning: You are the divine messenger of Shri Ram. The repository of immeasurable strength, though known only as Son of Pavan (Wind), born of Anjani.
Mahabir Bikram Bajrangi
Kumati nivar sumati Ke sangi
Meaning: With Limbs as sturdy as Vajra (The mace of God Indra) you are valiant and brave. On you attends good Sense and Wisdom. You dispel the darkness of evil thoughts.
Kanchan varan viraj subesa
Kanan Kundal Kunchit Kesha
Meaning: Your physique is beautiful golden coloured and your dress is pretty. You wear ear rings and have long curly hair.
Hath Vajra Aur Dhuvaje Viraje
Kaandhe moonj janehu sajai
Meaning: You carry in your hand a lightening bolt along with a victory flag and wear the sacred thread on your shoulder.
Sankar suvan kesri Nandan
Tej prataap maha jag vandan
Meaning: As a descendant of Lord Sankar, you are a comfort and pride of Shri Kesari. With the lustre of your Vast Sway, you are propitiated all over the universe.
Vidyavaan guni ati chatur
Ram kaj karibe ko aatur
Meaning: You are the repository of learning, virtuous and fully accomplished, always keen to carry out the behest’s of Shri Ram.
Prabu charitra sunibe-ko rasiya
Ram Lakhan Sita man Basiya
Meaning : You are an ardent listener, always so keen to listen to the narration of Shri Ram’s Life Stories. Your heart is filled with what Shri Ram stood for. You therefore always dwell in the hearts of Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita.
Sukshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhava
Vikat roop dhari lank jarava
Meaning: You appeared before Sita in a Diminutive form and spoke to her in humility. You assumed an awesome form and struck terror by setting Lanka on fire.
Bhima roop dhari asur sanghare
Ramachandra ke kaj sanvare
Meaning: With over-whelming might you destroyed the Asuras and performed all tasks assigned to you by Shri Ram with great skill.
Laye Sanjivan Lakhan Jiyaye
Shri Raghuvir Harashi ur laye
Meaning: You brought Sanjivan and restored Lakshman back to life, Shri Raghuvir (Shri Ram) cheerfully embraced you with his heart full of joy.
Raghupati Kinhi bahut badai
Tum mam priye Bharat-hi-sam bhai
Meaning: Shri Raghupati (Shri Ram) lustily extolled your excellence and said: “You are as dear to me as my own brother Bharat.”
Sahas badan tumharo yash gaave
Asa-kahi Shripati kanth lagaave
Meaning: Thousands of living beings are chanting hymns of your glories;saying thus, Shri Ram warmly hugged him (Shri Hanuman).
Sankadhik Brahmaadi Muneesa
Narad-Sarad sahit Aheesa
Meaning: When prophets like Sanka, even the Sage like Lord Brahma,the great hermit Narad himself, Goddess Saraswati and Ahisha.
Yam Kuber Digpaal Jahan te
Kavi kovid kahi sake kahan te
Meaning: Even Yamraj (God of Death) Kuber (God of Wealth) and the Digpals have been vying with one another in offering homage to your glories. How then, can a mere poet give adequate expression of your super excellence.
Tum upkar Sugreevahin keenha
Ram milaye rajpad deenha
Meaning: You rendered a great service to Sugriv. You united him with Shri Ram and he installed him on the Royal Throne.
Tumharo mantra Vibheeshan maana
Lankeshwar Bhaye Sub jag jana
Meaning: By heeding your advice, Vibhishan became Lord of Lanka. This is known all over the Universe.
Yug sahastra jojan par Bhanu
Leelyo tahi madhur phal janu
Meaning: On your own you dashed upon the Sun, which is at a fabulous distance of thousands of miles, thinking it to be a sweet luscious fruit.
Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahee
Jaladhi langhi gaye achraj nahee
Meaning: Carrying the Lord’s Signet Ring in your mouth, there is hardly any wonder that you easily leapt across the ocean.
Durgaam kaj jagath ke jete
Sugam anugraha tumhre tete
Meaning: The burden of all difficult tasks of the world become light with your kind grace.
Ram dwaare tum rakhvare
Hoat na agya binu paisare
Meaning: You are the sentry at the door of Shri Ram’s Divine Abode No one can enter it without your permission,
Sub sukh lahae tumhari sar na
Tum rakshak kahu ko dar naa
Meaning: All comforts of the world lie at your feet. The devotees enjoy all divine pleasures and feel fearless under your benign Protection.
Aapan tej samharo aapai
Teenhon lok hank te kanpai
Meainig: You alone are befitted to carry your own splendid valour. All the three worlds (entire universe) tremor at your thunderous call.
Bhoot pisaach Nikat nahin aavai
Mahavir jab naam sunavae
Meaning: All the ghosts, demons and evil forces keep away, with the sheer mention of your great name, O’Mahaveer!!
Nase rog harae sab peera
Japat nirantar Hanumant beera
Meaning: All diseases, pain and suffering disappear on reciting regularly Shri Hanuman’s holy name.
Sankat se Hanuman chudavae
Man Karam Vachan dyan jo lavai
Meaning: Those who remember Shri Hanuman in thought, words and deeds with Sincerity and Faith, are rescued from all crises in life.
Sab par Ram tapasvee raja
Tin ke kaj sakal Tum saja
Meaning: All who hail, worship and have faith in Shri Ram as the Supreme Lord and the king of penance. You make all their difficult tasks very easy.
Aur manorath jo koi lavai
Sohi amit jeevan phal pavai
Meaning: Whosoever comes to you for fulfillment of any desire with faith and sincerity, Will he alone secure the imperishable fruit of human life.
Charon Yug partap tumhara
Hai persidh jagat ujiyara
Meaning: All through the four ages your magnificent glory is acclaimed far and wide. Your fame is Radiantly acclaimed all over the Cosmos.
Sadhu Sant ke tum Rakhware
Asur nikandan Ram dulhare
Meaning: You are Saviour and the guardian angel of Saints and Sages and destroy all Demons. You are the angelic darling of Shri Ram.
Ashta-sidhi nav nidhi ke dhata
As-var deen Janki mata
Meaning: You can grant to any one, any yogic power of Eight Siddhis (power to become light and heavy at will) and Nine Nidhis This boon has been conferred upon you by Mother Janki.
Ram rasayan tumhare pasa
Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa
Meaning: You possess the power of devotion to Shri Ram. In all rebirths you will always remain Shri Raghupati’s most dedicated disciple.
Tumhare bhajan Ram ko pavai
Janam-janam ke dukh bisraavai
Meaning: Through hymns sung in devotion to you, one can find Shri Ram and become free from sufferings of several births.
Anth-kaal Raghuvir pur jayee
Jahan janam Hari-Bakht Kahayee
Meaning: If at the time of death one enters the Divine Abode of Shri Ram,thereafter in all future births he is born as the Lord’s devotee.
Aur Devta Chit na dharehi
Hanumanth se hi sarve sukh karehi
Meaning: One need not entertain any other deity for Propitiation, as devotion of Shri Hanuman alone can give all happiness.
Sankat kate-mite sab peera
Jo sumirai Hanumat Balbeera
Meaning: One is freed from all the sufferings and ill fated contingencies of rebirths in the world. One who adores and remembers Shri Hanuman
Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosahin
Kripa Karahu Gurudev ki nyahin
Meaning: Jay, Jay, Jay, Shri Hanuman, Lord of senses. Let your victory over the evil be firm and final. Bless me in the capacity as my supreme guru (teacher).
Jo sat bar path kare kohi
Chutehi bandhi maha sukh hohi
Meaning: One who recites Chalisa one hundred times, becomes free from the bondage of life and death and enjoys the highest bliss at last.
Jo yah padhe Hanuman Chalisa
Hoye siddhi sakhi Gaureesa
Meaning: All those who recite Hanuman Chalisa regularly are sure to be benedicted. Such is the evidence of no less a witness as Bhagwan Sankar.
Tulsidas sada hari chera
Keejai Nath Hridaye mein dera
Meaning: Tulsidas as a bonded slave of the Divine Master, stays perpetually at his feet, he prays “Oh Lord! You enshrine within my heart & soul.”
Pavan Tanay Sankat Harana
Mangala Murati Roop
Ram Lakhana Sita Sahita
Hriday Basahu Soor Bhoop
Meaning: Oh! conqueror of the Wind, Destroyer of all miseries, you are a symbol of Auspiciousness.Along with Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita, reside in my heart.Oh! King of Gods.
Historical Background
Tulsidas, the composer of the Hanuman Chalisa, was a great devotee of Lord Rama and is also famous for writing the epic Ramcharitmanas. He composed this hymn to praise Lord Hanuman and seek his blessings for protection, strength, and wisdom. The hymn is believed to have been written in the 16th century during the Bhakti movement, a time when devotional songs and prayers became popular in India.
Meaning and Significance of Hanuman Chalisa
The Hanuman Chalisa describes Hanuman’s divine powers and noble qualities. It explains how he played a key role in Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana in the Ramayana. Some of the key themes covered in the hymn are:
- Hanuman’s miraculous birth and extraordinary strength.
- His unwavering devotion to Lord Rama.
- His intelligence, wisdom, and courage.
- His role in locating Sita in Lanka.
- His powers to remove suffering and bring blessings.
Structure and Composition
The Hanuman Chalisa consists of 40 verses, preceded by a Doha (couplet) that serves as an invocation and followed by another Doha that concludes the hymn with a prayer. Each verse is structured in a metrical form known as the Chaupai, a quatrain with a specific rhyme scheme, making it melodious and easy to memorize. The text is written in a simple yet evocative style, allowing devotees from all walks of life to connect with its essence.
Closing Doha: The concluding couplet is a prayer for strength, wisdom, and liberation, asking Hanuman to bless the devotee and remove all obstacles.
Opening Doha: The hymn begins with a humble salutation to Lord Hanuman, acknowledging his divine qualities and seeking his blessings. Tulsidas expresses his devotion and requests Hanuman to reside in his heart.
40 Verses: These verses narrate Hanuman’s attributes, his exploits, and his unwavering devotion to Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu. The verses are rich with metaphors and imagery, celebrating his physical prowess, intellectual brilliance, and spiritual depth.
Benefits of Reciting Hanuman Chalisa
Reciting the Hanuman Chalisa is believed to bring several benefits:
- Removes fear and negative energies – It is often recited for protection against evil forces and dangers.
- Increases courage and strength – Many devotees recite it to gain mental and physical strength.
- Brings peace and spiritual growth – Regular recitation helps in focusing the mind and bringing inner peace.
- Overcomes obstacles and hardships – It is believed that Lord Hanuman helps devotees overcome difficulties in life.
- Improves health and well-being – The vibrations from chanting are said to have a positive impact on the body and mind.
When and How to Recite Hanuman Chalisa
- Many devotees recite the Hanuman Chalisa daily, while others chant it on Tuesdays and Saturdays, which are considered auspicious days for Hanuman worship.
- It is often recited 7, 11, or 108 times in one sitting for special prayers.
- It is recommended to chant with devotion and focus to receive maximum benefits.
The Hanuman Chalisa is more than a devotional hymn, it is a spiritual legacy that encapsulates the virtues of loyalty, strength, and humility through the life of Hanuman. Composed by Tulsidas with deep reverence, it continues to inspire and protect devotees worldwide.
