Narmada Chalisa
The Narmada Chalisa is a profound expression of devotion, encapsulating the spiritual, cultural, and ecological significance of the Narmada River. Narmada Chalisa is a devotional hymn consisting of 40 verses (chaupais) dedicated to the sacred river Narmada, revered as a goddess in Hinduism. This hymn is a significant spiritual practice for devotees, particularly in the regions of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, where the Narmada River flows.
Shree Narmada Chalisa
Doha
Devi Pujita Narmada,Mahima Badi Apara।
Chalisa Varnana Karata,Kavi Aru Bhakta Udara॥
Inaki Seva Se Sada,Mitate Papa Mahana।
Tata Para Kara Japa Dana Nara,Pate Hain Nita Gyana॥
Chaupai
Jai-Jai-Jai Narmada Bhavani।Tumhari Mahima Saba Jaga Jani॥
Amarakantha Se Nikalin Mata।Sarva Siddhi Nava Nidhi Ki Data॥
Kanya Rupa Sakala Guna Khani।Jaba Prakatin Narmada Bhavani॥
Saptami Surya Makara Ravivara।Ashwani Magha Masa Avatara॥
Vahana Makara Apako Sajain।Kamala Pushpa Para Apa Virajain॥
Brahma Hari Hara Tumako Dhyavain।Taba Hi Manavanchhita Phala Pavain॥
Darshana Karata Papa Kati Jate।Koti Bhakta Gana Nitya Nahate॥
Jo Nara Tumako Nita Hi Dhyavai।Vaha Nara Rudra Loka Ko Javain॥
Magaramachchha Tuma Mein Sukha Pavain।Antima Samaya Paramapada Pavain॥
Mastaka Mukuta Sada Hi Sajain।Panva Painjani Nita Hi Rajain॥
Kala-Kala Dhvani Karati Ho Mata।Papa Tapa Harati Ho Mata॥
Puraba Se Pashchima Ki Ora।Bahatin Mata Nachata Mora॥
Shaunaka Rishi Tumhrau Guna Gavain।Suta Adi Tumharau Yash Gavain॥
Shiva Ganesha Bhi Tere Guna Gavain।Sakala Deva Gana Tumako Dhyavain॥
Koti Tirtha Narmada Kinare।Ye Saba Kahalate Duhkha Hare॥
Manokamana Purana Karati।Sarva Duhkha Ma Nita Hi Haratin॥
Kanakhala Mein Ganga Ki Mahima।Kurukshetra Mein Saraswati Mahima॥
Para Narmada Grama Jangala Mein।Nita Rahati Mata Mangal Mein॥
Eka Bara Karake Asanana।Tarata Pidhi Hai Nara Nara॥
Mekala Kanya Tuma Hi Reva।Tumhari Bhajana Karein Nita Deva॥
Jata Shankari Nama Tumhara।Tumane Koti Janon Ko Tara॥
Samodbhava Narmada Tum Ho।Papa Mochani Reva Tuma Ho॥
Tuma Mahima Kahi Nahin Jai।Karata Na Banati Matu Badai॥
Jala Pratapa Tumamen Ati Mata।Jo Ramaniya Tatha Sukha Data॥
Chala Sarpini Sama Hai Tumhari।Mahima Ati Apara Hai Tumhari॥
Tuma Mein Padi Asthi Bhi Bhari।Chuvata Pashan Hota Vara Vari॥
Yamuna Me Jo Manuja Nahata।Sata Dinon Mein Vaha Phala Pata॥
Saraswati Tina Dinon Mein Deti।Ganga Turata Bada Hi Deti॥
Para Reva Ka Darshana Karake।Manava Phala Pata Mana Bhara Ke॥
Tumhari Mahima Hai Ati Bhari।Jisko Gate Hain Nara-Nari॥
Jo Nara Tuma Mein Nitya Nahata।Rudra Loka Me Puja Jata॥
Jadi Butiyan Tata Para Rajein।Mohaka Drishya Sada Hi Sajein॥
Vayu Sugandhita Chalati Tira।Jo Harati Nara Tana Ki Pira॥
Ghata-Ghata Ki Mahima Bhari।Kavi Bhi Ga Nahin Sakate Sari॥
Nahin Janun Main Tumhari Puja।Aura Sahara Nahin Mama Duja॥
Ho Prasanna Upara Mama Mata।Tuma Hi Matu Moksha Ki Data॥
Jo Manava Yaha Nita Hai Padhta।Uska Mana Sada Hi Badhata॥
Jo Shata Bara Ise Hai Gata।Vaha Vidya Dhana Daulata Pata॥
Aganita Bara Padhai Jo Koi।Purana Manokamana Hoi॥
Sabake Ura Mein Basata Narmada।Yaham Vaham Sarvatra Narmada॥
Doha
Bhakti Bhava Ura Ani Ke,Jo Karata Hai Japa।
Mata Ji Ki Kripa Se,Dura Hota Santapa॥
Historical and Cultural Context of Narmada Chalisa
The Narmada River, often referred to as “Reva” or “Mekal Kanya” (Daughter of Mekal), originates from the Amarkantak plateau in Madhya Pradesh and flows westward, covering approximately 1,312 kilometers before merging into the Arabian Sea in Gujarat. Unlike most Indian rivers that flow eastward, the Narmada’s unique westbound flow adds to its mystical allure. In Hindu mythology, the river is believed to have been born from the sweat of Lord Shiva or as a divine entity created by the gods. It is also associated with purity, as it is said to cleanse sins more effectively than other sacred rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, or Saraswati.
The Narmada Chalisa is part of a broader tradition of “Chalisa” hymns in Hinduism, which are 40-verse compositions dedicated to various deities, saints, or sacred entities. The most famous among these is the Hanuman Chalisa, attributed to the 16th-century poet Tulsidas. While the authorship of the Narmada Chalisa is not definitively attributed to a single poet, it is deeply rooted in the devotional literature of central India and is widely recited by devotees along the river’s banks.
Spiritual Significance of Narmada Chalisa
The Narmada Chalisa is more than a hymn; it is a spiritual practice that fosters a deep connection with the divine feminine energy of Maa Narmada. Key benefits of reciting the Chalisa include:
- Cleansing of Sins: Regular chanting is believed to purify the soul and absolve devotees of past wrongdoings.
- Fulfillment of Desires: The Chalisa is said to grant worldly and spiritual wishes, including wisdom, wealth, and success.
- Peace and Prosperity: Devotees experience mental peace, emotional stability, and material prosperity through the goddess’s blessings.
- Spiritual Growth: The hymn inspires devotees to lead a righteous life and seek divine connection, guiding them toward moksha (liberation).
- Protection from Suffering: Chanting with devotion is believed to alleviate physical, mental, and spiritual afflictions (“Door Hota Santaap”).
The Chalisa is often recited daily, especially during festivals like Narmada Jayanti (celebrated on the seventh day of the bright half of the Magha month) or during pilgrimages to sacred sites along the river, such as Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, or Amarkantak.
Ritualistic Practices
Devotees typically recite the Narmada Chalisa as part of the following rituals:
- Morning or Evening Chanting: The hymn is chanted after a bath, preferably in a clean, sacred space, facing an image or idol of Maa Narmada or the river itself.
- Offerings: Devotees offer flowers, incense, lamps, and water to the river or a symbolic representation of Narmada during recitation.
- Narmada Parikrama: The Chalisa is often recited during the Narmada Parikrama, a sacred circumambulation of the river, which is considered a powerful spiritual practice.
- Group Recitations: In temples or along the riverbanks, devotees gather to sing the Chalisa collectively, amplifying its spiritual impact.
- Fasting and Vows: Some devotees undertake fasts or vows while chanting the Chalisa for specific intentions, such as health, prosperity, or family well-being.
