Hanuman Chalisa

Overview

A 40-verse devotional hymn to Hanuman, composed in Awadhi by the 16th-century poet-saint Tulsidas (also author of the Ramcharitmanas). It opens with two invocatory dohas, moves through 40 chaupais praising Hanuman's form, birth, strength, wisdom, and his deeds in service of Rama — crossing the ocean, finding Sita, burning Lanka, and reviving Lakshman with the Sanjivani herb — and closes with a phalashruti (the benefits of reciting it) and a final doha of surrender. Composed in accessible vernacular rather than Sanskrit, it's one of the most widely recited hymns in Hinduism today, used both in daily devotion and specifically in moments of fear, illness, or hardship for courage and protection.

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Opening Doha 1

श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि। बरनउं रघुबर बिमल जसु जो दायकु फल चारि॥

Shri guru charan saroj raj, nij manu mukuru sudhari, Baranaun Raghubar bimal jasu, jo dayaku phal chari.

Meaning: Cleansing the mirror of my mind with the dust of my guru's lotus feet, I now describe the pure glory of Raghubar (Rama), which bestows the four fruits of life (dharma, artha, kama, moksha).

Opening Doha 2

बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार। बल बुद्धि विद्या देहु मोहिं हरहु कलेस विकार॥

Buddhiheen tanu janike, sumirau Pavan-kumar, Bal buddhi vidya dehu mohi, harahu kalesh vikar.

Meaning: Knowing my body/self to be devoid of wisdom, I remember Pavan-kumar (Hanuman, son of the wind god). Grant me strength, wisdom, and knowledge, and remove my afflictions and impurities.

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Chaupai 1

जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर। जय कपीस तिहुं लोक उजागर॥

Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar, Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar.

Meaning: Victory to Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue! Victory to the lord of monkeys, who illuminates all three worlds.

Chaupai 2

राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा। अंजनि पुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥

Ram doot atulit bal dhama, Anjani-putra Pavansut nama.

Meaning: Messenger of Rama, abode of matchless strength. Known as the son of Anjani, and son of the wind-god.

Chaupai 3

महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी। कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥

Mahabir Bikram Bajrangi, Kumati nivar sumati ke sangi.

Meaning: Great hero, valorous one, whose body is hard as a thunderbolt (vajra) — hence "Bajrangi." Remover of evil intellect, companion of good intellect.

Chaupai 4

कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा। कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा॥

Kanchan baran biraj subesa, Kanan kundal kunchit kesa.

Meaning: Golden-hued and adorned in fine attire. Wearing earrings, with curly hair.

Chaupai 5

हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै। कांधे मूंज जनेऊ साजै॥

Hath bajra au dhwaja birajai, Kandhe moonj janeu sajai.

Meaning: In his hand shine the mace and the banner. Across his shoulder, a sacred thread of munja grass is worn.

Chaupai 6

शंकर सुवन केसरीनंदन। तेज प्रताप महा जगु बंदन॥

Shankar suvan Kesari nandan, Tej pratap maha jag bandan.

Meaning: You are an incarnation of Shankar (Shiva), and the son of Kesari. Your radiance and glory are revered by the whole world.

Chaupai 7

विद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर। राम काज करिबे को आतुर॥

Vidyavan guni ati chatur, Ram kaj karibe ko aatur.

Meaning: Learned, virtuous, and exceptionally skilled. Ever eager to carry out Rama's tasks.

Chaupai 8

प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया। राम लखन सीता मन बसिया॥

Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiya, Ram Lakhan Sita man basiya.

Meaning: Delighted in listening to the deeds of the Lord. Rama, Lakshman, and Sita reside within your heart.

Chaupai 9

सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा। बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा॥

Sukshma roop dhari Siyahin dikhava, Bikat roop dhari Lank jarava.

Meaning: Taking a subtle/tiny form, you revealed yourself to Sita. Taking a fierce form, you burned down Lanka.

Chaupai 10

भीम रूप धरि असुर संहारे। रामचंद्र के काज सँवारे॥

Bhim roop dhari asur sanhare, Ramchandra ke kaj sanvare.

Meaning: Taking a colossal, terrifying form, you destroyed the demons. You accomplished the tasks of Ramachandra.

Chaupai 11

लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये। श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये॥

Lay Sajeevan Lakhan jiyaye, Shri Raghubir harashi ur laye.

Meaning: By bringing the Sanjivani herb, you revived Lakshman. Rama, overjoyed, embraced you close to his heart.

Chaupai 12

रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई। तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई॥

Raghupati keenhi bahut badai, Tum mam priya Bharat-hi sam bhai.

Meaning: Rama praised you greatly, saying: "You are as dear to me as my own brother Bharat."

Chaupai 13

सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं। अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं॥

Sahas badan tumharo jas gavai, As kahi Shripati kanth lagavai.

Meaning: "Even the thousand-mouthed serpent sings your glory," said Rama — and embraced you close to his chest.

Chaupai 14

सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा। नारद सारद सहित अहीसा॥

Sanakadik Brahmadi Munisa, Narad Sarad sahit Ahisa.

Meaning: Sages like Sanaka, lords like Brahma, Narada, Sarada (Saraswati), and Sheshnag —

Chaupai 15

जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहां ते। कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहां ते॥

Jam Kuber Digpal jahan te, Kabi kobid kahi sake kahan te.

Meaning: — even Yama, Kubera, the guardians of the directions, poets, and scholars — none of them are able to fully describe your glory.

Chaupai 16

तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा। राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा॥

Tum upkar Sugreevahin keenha, Ram milay raj pad deenha.

Meaning: You did a great favor for Sugriva — by uniting him with Rama, you secured his kingship.

Chaupai 17

तुम्हरो मंत्र बिभीषन माना। लंकेश्वर भए सब जग जाना॥

Tumharo mantra Bibhishan mana, Lankeshwar bhaye sab jag jana.

Meaning: Vibhishan heeded your counsel, and as a result became Lord of Lanka — the whole world knows this.

Chaupai 18

जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानू। लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू॥

Jug sahasra jojan par Bhanu, Leelyo tahi madhur phal janu.

Meaning: The sun, thousands of yojanas away, you swallowed — mistaking it for a sweet fruit.

Chaupai 19

प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं। जलधि लांघि गये अचरज नाहीं॥

Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahin, Jaladhi langhi gaye acharaj nahin.

Meaning: Holding Rama's ring in your mouth, you crossed the ocean — no wonder at all, given your power.

Chaupai 20

दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते। सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते॥

Durgam kaj jagat ke jete, Sugam anugrah tumhare tete.

Meaning: However difficult the tasks of this world may be, they all become easy through your grace.

Chaupai 21

राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे। होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे॥

Ram duare tum rakhavare, Hot na aagya binu paisare.

Meaning: You stand as the guardian at Rama's door. No one can enter without your permission.

Chaupai 22

सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना। तुम रच्छक काहू को डरना॥

Sab sukh lahai tumhari sarna, Tum rachchak kahu ko darna.

Meaning: All happiness is found by taking refuge in you. With you as protector, there's nothing to fear.

Chaupai 23

आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै। तीनों लोक हांक तें कांपै॥

Aapan tej samharo aapai, Teenon lok haank te kanpai.

Meaning: You alone can contain your own splendour. All three worlds tremble at your roar.

Chaupai 24

भूत पिशाच निकट नहिं आवै। महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै॥

Bhoot pishach nikat nahin aavai, Mahabir jab naam sunavai.

Meaning: Ghosts and evil spirits do not come near, when one utters the name "Mahavir" (Hanuman).

Chaupai 25

नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा। जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा॥

Nasai rog harai sab peera, Japat nirantar Hanumat beera.

Meaning: Disease is destroyed and all suffering removed, for one who continuously chants the name of the brave Hanuman.

Chaupai 26

संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै। मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै॥

Sankat te Hanuman chhudavai, Man kram bachan dhyan jo lavai.

Meaning: Hanuman frees from difficulty anyone who meditates on him in thought, deed, and word.

Chaupai 27

सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा। तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा॥

Sab par Ram tapasvi raja, Tin ke kaj sakal tum saja.

Meaning: Rama is the ascetic-king, supreme above all. Yet it is you who accomplishes all his tasks.

Chaupai 28

और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै। सोइ अमित जीवन फल पावै॥

Aur manorath jo koi lavai, Soi amit jeevan phal pavai.

Meaning: Whoever brings any other wish to you, obtains the boundless fruit of life.

Chaupai 29

चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा। है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा॥

Charon jug pratap tumhara, Hai parasiddha jagat ujiyara.

Meaning: Your glory endures across all four yugas. It is famed and illuminates the whole world.

Chaupai 30

साधु संत के तुम रखवारे। असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे॥

Sadhu sant ke tum rakhavare, Asur nikandan Ram dulare.

Meaning: You are the protector of sadhus and saints. Destroyer of demons, and beloved of Rama.

Chaupai 31

अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता। अस बर दीन जानकी माता॥

Ashta siddhi nau nidhi ke data, As bar deen Janaki mata.

Meaning: You are the giver of the eight siddhis and nine nidhis. This boon was granted to you by Mother Janaki (Sita).

Chaupai 32

राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा। सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा॥

Ram rasayan tumhare pasa, Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa.

Meaning: You possess the elixir of devotion to Rama. May you forever remain the servant of Raghupati.

Chaupai 33

तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै। जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै॥

Tumhare bhajan Ram ko pavai, Janam janam ke dukh bisravai.

Meaning: By worshipping you, one attains Rama, and forgets the sorrows of countless lifetimes.

Chaupai 34

अंतकाल रघुबर पुर जाई। जहां जन्म हरिभक्त कहाई॥

Antkal Raghubar pur jai, Jahan janm Hari-bhakt kahai.

Meaning: At the end of life, one goes to Rama's abode, and wherever born thereafter, is known as a devotee of Hari.

Chaupai 35

और देवता चित्त न धरई। हनुमत सेइ सर्ब सुख करई॥

Aur devata chitt na dharai, Hanumat sei sarb sukh karai.

Meaning: One need not fix the mind on any other deity — serving Hanuman alone brings all happiness.

Chaupai 36

संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा। जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥

Sankat katai mitai sab peera, Jo sumirai Hanumat balbeera.

Meaning: All troubles are cut away and all suffering removed, for one who remembers the mighty and brave Hanuman.

Chaupai 37

जय जय जय हनुमान गोसाईं। कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं॥

Jai jai jai Hanuman gosain, Kripa karahu Gurudev ki nai.

Meaning: Victory, victory, victory to you, Lord Hanuman! Bestow your grace upon me, as a guru would upon a disciple.

Chaupai 38

जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई। छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई॥

Jo sat baar path kar koi, Chhootahi bandi maha sukh hoi.

Meaning: Whoever recites this a hundred times, is freed from bondage and attains great bliss.

Chaupai 39

जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा। होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा॥

Jo yah padhai Hanuman Chalisa, Hoy siddhi sakhi Gaurisa.

Meaning: Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa attains success — with Gaurisha (Shiva) himself as witness.

Chaupai 40

तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा। कीजै नाथ हृदय मह डेरा॥

Tulsidas sada Hari chera, Keejai Nath hriday mah dera.

Meaning: Tulsidas is forever the servant of Hari. O Lord, please make your dwelling in my heart.

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Closing Doha

पवनतनय संकट हरन मंगल मूरति रूप। राम लखन सीता सहित हृदय बसहु सुर भूप॥

Pavantanay sankat haran, mangal moorati roop, Ram Lakhan Sita sahit, hriday basahu sur bhoop.

Meaning: O son of the wind, remover of troubles, embodiment of auspiciousness — please dwell in my heart, along with Rama, Lakshman, and Sita, O king among the celestial beings.

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Structure at a glance: invocation (2 dohas) → physical description (chaupais 1–5) → mythic deeds (chaupais 6–20) → praise and protective power (chaupais 21–30) → phalashruti/benefits of recitation (chaupais 31–39) → poet's signature and final surrender (chaupai 40 + closing doha).