Shri Krishna Chalisa
The Shri Krishna Chalisa is a sacred hymn in Hinduism, consisting of 40 verses that glorify Lord Krishna, one of the most revered deities in the Hindu pantheon. Known as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, Krishna is celebrated for his divine leelas, wisdom, and compassion. The Chalisa is a poetic composition that devotees recite to seek blessings, express devotion, and connect spiritually with Krishna’s divine energy. This article delves into the origins, structure, meaning, and significance of the Shri Krishna Chalisa, offering insights into its role in spiritual and cultural life.
Shri Krishna Chalisa English
॥ DOHA ॥
Banshi Shobhita Kara Madhura,Nila Jalada Tana Shyama।
Aruna Adhara Janu Bimba Phala,Pitambara Shubha Saja॥
Jai Manamohana Madana Chhavi,Krishnachandra Maharaja।
Karahu Kripa He Ravi Tanaya,Rakhahu Jana Ki Laja॥
॥ CHAUPAI ॥
Jai Yadunandana Jai Jagavandana।
Jai Vasudeva Devaki Nandana॥
Jai Yashuda Suta Nanda Dulare।
Jai Prabhu Bhaktana Ke Driga Tare॥
Jai Natnagara Naga Nathaiya।
Krishna Kanhaiya Dhenu Charaiya॥
Puni Nakha Para Prabhu Girivara Dharo।
Ao Dinana Kashta Nivaro॥
Vanshi Madhura Adhara Dhari Teri।
Hove Purna Manoratha Mero॥
Ao Hari Puni Makhana Chakho।
Aja Laja Bharata Ki Rakho॥
Gola Kapola, Chibuka Arunare।
Mridu Muskana Mohini Dare॥
Ranjita Rajiva Nayana Vishala।
Mora Mukuta Vaijayanti Mala॥
Kundala Shravana Pitapata Achhe।
Kati Kinkani Kachhana Kachhe॥
Nila Jalaja Sundara Tanu Sohe।
Chhavi Lakhi, Sura Nara Munimana Mohe॥
Mastaka Tilaka, Alaka Ghungharale।
Ao Krishna Bansuri Wale॥
Kari Paya Pana, Putanahi Tarayo।
Aka Baka Kagasura Marayo॥
Madhuvana Jalata Agni Jaba Jwala।
Bhai Shitala, Lakhitahin Nandalala॥
Surapati Jaba Braja Chadhayo Risai।
Masura Dhara Vari Varshai॥
Lagata Lagata Braja Chahana Bahayo।
Govardhana Nakhadhari Bachayo॥
Lakhi Yasuda Mana Bhrama Adhikai।
Mukha Maham Chaudaha Bhuvana Dikhai॥
Dushta Kansa Ati Udhama Machayo।
Koti Kamala Jaba Phula Mangayo॥
Nathi Kaliyahin Taba Tuma Linhein।
Charanachinha Dai Nirbhaya Kinhein॥
Kari Gopina Sanga Rasa Vilasa।
Sabaki Purana Kari Abhilasha॥
Ketika Maha Asura Sanharayo।
Kansahi Kesa Pakadi Dai Marayo॥
Matapita Ki Bandi Chhudai।
Ugrasena Kahan Raja Dilai॥
Mahi Se Mritaka Chhahon Suta Layo।
Matu Devaki Shoka Mitayo॥
Bhaumasura Mura Daitya Sanhari।
Laye Shata Dasha Sahasakumari॥
Dai Bhimahin Trina Chira Sahara।
Jarasindhu Rakshasa Kaham Mara॥
Asura Bakasura Adika Marayo।
Bhaktana Ke Taba Kashta Nivariyo॥
Dina Sudama Ke Duhkha Tarayo।
Tandula Tina Muntha Mukha Darayo॥
Prema Ke Saga Vidura Ghara Mange।
Duryodhana Ke Meva Tyage॥
Lakhi Prema Ki Mahima Bhari।
Aise Shyama Dina Hitakari॥
Bharata Ke Paratha Ratha Hanke।
Lie Chakra Kara Nahin Bala Take॥
Nija Gita Ke Gyana Sunaye।
Bhaktana Hridaya Sudha Varshaye॥
Mira Thi Aisi Matavali।
Visha Pi Gai Bajakara Tali॥
Rana Bheja Sanpa Pitari।
Shaligrama Bane Banavari॥
Nija Maya Tuma Vidhihin Dikhayo।
Ura Te Sanshaya Sakala Mitayo॥
Taba Shata Ninda Kari Tatkala।
Jivana Mukta Bhayo Shishupala॥
Jabahin Draupadi Tera Lagai।
Dinanatha Laja Aba Jai॥
Turatahin Vasana Bane Nandalala।
Badhe Chira Bhai Ari Munha Kala॥
Asa Natha Ke Natha Kanhaiya।
Dubata Bhamvara Bachavata Naiya॥
Sundaradasa Asa Ura Dhari।
Dayadrishti Kijai Banavari॥
Natha Sakala Mama Kumati Nivaro।
Kshamahu Begi Aparadha Hamaro॥
Kholo Pata Aba Darshana Dijai।
Bolo Krishna Kanhaiya Ki Jai॥
॥ DOHA ॥
Yaha Chalisa Krishna Ka,Patha Karai Ura Dhari।
Ashta Siddhi Navanidhi Phala,Lahai Padaratha Chari॥
Origins and Background
The tradition of composing Chalisas began with the famous Hanuman Chalisa by the poet-saint Tulsidas in the 16th century, written in Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi. Inspired by this, devotees over time crafted Chalisas for various deities, including Lord Krishna. While the exact authorship of the Shri Krishna Chalisa is not universally documented, it is believed to have emerged from the Bhakti movement, a medieval spiritual revolution in India that emphasized personal devotion to God over ritualistic practices. The Chalisa is typically written in simple Hindi or regional languages, making it accessible to the masses.
Krishna, the central figure of the Chalisa, is a multifaceted deity—portrayed as a mischievous child in Gokul, a charming lover in Vrindavan, a wise diplomat in the Mahabharata, and the supreme teacher in the Bhagavad Gita. The Shri Krishna Chalisa encapsulates these diverse aspects, celebrating his divine qualities and life events.
Themes and Symbolism
The Shri Krishna Chalisa weaves together several themes:
- Divine Playfulness (Leela): Krishna’s childhood antics, like stealing butter or playing pranks, reflect his approachable, human-like charm.
- Love and Devotion: His relationship with Radha and the gopis (cowherd girls) symbolizes the soul’s yearning for union with the divine.
- Strength and Protection: His victories over demons like Kansa, Putana, and Kaliya showcase his role as a protector.
- Wisdom: The Gita’s teachings emphasize Krishna as the ultimate guide for righteous living.
The flute, a recurring symbol, represents the call of the divine, drawing devotees toward spiritual awakening. The peacock feather signifies beauty and humility, while the yellow attire reflects purity and auspiciousness.
Spiritual and Cultural Significance
The Shri Krishna Chalisa holds immense importance in Hindu devotional practices:
- Spiritual Connection: Reciting the Chalisa is believed to purify the mind, remove obstacles, and bring the devotee closer to Krishna. It’s often chanted during festivals like Janmashtami (Krishna’s birth) or in daily prayers.
- Community Bonding: In temples, homes, or bhajan gatherings, the Chalisa fosters a sense of unity among devotees through collective singing.
- Emotional Healing: The verses offer solace, helping devotees surrender their worries to Krishna’s divine will.
- Cultural Legacy: As part of India’s oral tradition, it preserves Krishna’s stories and values, passing them down through generations.
How to Recite the Shri Krishna Chalisa
Devotees follow a simple ritual for recitation:
- Preparation: Bathe and wear clean clothes; set up a small altar with Krishna’s idol or picture, flowers, and a lamp.
- Timing: Early morning or evening, especially on Wednesdays (associated with Krishna), is ideal.
- Method: Chant with focus and devotion, optionally offering sweets like butter or laddoos, which Krishna loves.
- Frequency: Some recite it daily, while others do so on special occasions.
