The Hanuman Chalisa is a revered hymn cherished by millions of Hindus worldwide. It celebrates the extraordinary qualities of Hanuman, a devoted follower of Lord Rama and a central figure in the epic Ramayana (Valmiki Ramayana). According to the Shaiva tradition, Hanuman is also considered an incarnation of Lord Shiva, adding to his divine significance. This sacred chant beautifully articulates Hanuman’s strength, courage, wisdom, and unwavering celibacy, highlighting his unwavering devotion to Lord Rama. Recited daily by countless devotees, the Hanuman Chalisa serves as a powerful spiritual practice, a testament to Hanuman’s revered place in Hinduism, and a source of inspiration for all who seek his blessings.

Description

The Hanuman Chalisa, authored by the revered Tulsidas (the author of Ramcharitmanas), consists of forty-three verses, skillfully structured with two introductory Dohas, forty Chaupais (quatrains), and a closing Doha. In this cherished hymn, the initial doha pays homage to Lord Shiva, Hanuman’s spiritual guru. The following verses eloquently extol Hanuman’s auspicious form, knowledge, virtues, powers, and courage. The middle verses recount Hanuman’s heroic acts in service to Lord Rama, including the pivotal moment of reviving the unconscious Lakshmana. As the hymn progresses, Tulsidas pleads for Hanuman’s blessings and grace, culminating in a heartfelt request for him to reside in the hearts of devotees, along with Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita. This profound chant encapsulates Tulsidas’s unwavering devotion and Hanuman’s divine attributes, making it a source of spiritual inspiration for countless believers.

॥ Doha ॥

Shri Guru Charan Saroj Raj,
Nij manu Mukuru Sudhaari।
Barnau Raghubar Bimal Jasu,
Jo Daayeku Phal Chaari॥

Translation: In the lotus feet of Sri Guru,
I cleanse the mirror of my mind.
I describe the pure and divine qualities of Lord Rama,
So that I may attain the four fruits of life.

Buddhiheen Tanu Jaanike,
Sumirau Pavan-Kumaar।
Bal Buddhi Bidya Dehu Mohi,
Harahu Kales Bikaar॥

Translation: Recognizing myself as lacking in intelligence,
I meditate upon the son of the Wind, Lord Hanuman.
Grant me strength, wisdom, and knowledge,
And remove all my impurities and afflictions.

॥ Chaupai ॥

Jai Hanuman Gyaan Gun Sagar।
Jai Kapis Teehun Lok Ujagar॥

Translation: Hail Hanuman, the ocean of wisdom and virtues,
Hail the monkey deity who enlightens the three worlds.

Ram Doot Atulit Bal Dhama।
Anjani-Putra Pavansut Nama॥

Translation: He is the messenger of Lord Rama, the abode of matchless strength,
The son of Anjani, known as the Son of Vayu Deva (Pavansut).

Mahabir Bikram Bajrangi।
Kumati Nivaar Sumati Ke Sangi॥

Translation: Mahabir, the brave and strong one, Bajrangi,
He removes ignorance and is a companion of good intellect.

Kanchan Baran Biraaj Subesa।
Kaanan Kundal Kunchit Kesa॥

Translation: In golden attire, he shines brilliantly,
With ear-rings adorning his ears and curly locks of hair.

Haath Bajra Aau Dhwaja Biraaje।
Kaandhe Moonj Janeu Saaje॥

Translation: In his hands, he holds the thunderbolt and flag with grandeur,
On his shoulder, he wears a sacred thread and a sacred thread called Janeu.

Sankar Suvan Kesarinandan।
Tej Prataap Maha Jag Bandan॥

Translation: He is the son of Lord Shiva and Kesari,
Radiating immense power, he is revered by the whole world.

Bidyabaan Guni Ati Chaatur।
Ram Kaaj Karibe Ko Aatur॥

Translation: He is knowledgeable, exceedingly virtuous, and very clever,
Eager to perform the tasks of Lord Rama.

Prabhu Charitra Sunibe Ko Rasiya।
Ram Lakhan Sita Man Basiya॥

Translation: He who delights in listening to the stories of the Lord,
In his heart, he holds dear Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita.

Sukshma Roop Dhari Siyahin Dikhawa।
Bikat Roop Dhari Lanka Jarawa॥

Translation: Takes on a subtle form, appears as a dark-skinned figure,
Adopts a colossal form, and sets Lanka on fire.

Bheem Roop Dhari Asur Sanhaare।
Ramchandra Ke Kaaj Sanwaare॥

Translation: Assuming a formidable form, he slays demons,
He accomplishes the tasks of Lord Rama.

Laaye Sajivan Lakhan Jiyaaye।
Shri Raghubeer Harashi Ur Laaye॥

Translation: He brought the life-restoring herb for Lakshmana,
And Lord Raghubeer (Rama) was filled with joy in his heart.

Raghupati Keenhi Bahut Badai।
Tum Mum Priy Bharat Hi Sam Bhai॥

Translation: Lord Raghupati (Rama) praised you greatly,
You are as dear to me as my own brother Bharat.

Sahas Badan Tumhro Jas Gaavein।
As Kahi Shripati Kanth Lagavein॥

Translation: A thousand praises are sung in your glory,
Saying ‘Hanuman’ brings joy to Lord Shri Raghunath’s (Rama’s) heart.

Sankadik Bramhadi Munisa।
Narad Sarad Sahit Ahisa॥

Translation: Sages like Sanaka, Brahma, and other divine saints,
Narada and Saraswati are also present with them.

Jam Kuber Digpaal Jahan Te।
Kabi Kobid Kahi Sake Kahaan Te॥

Translation: Where is the treasurer of death (Yama), the god of wealth (Kubera), and the ruler of the world?
Even the wise poet cannot describe or say.

Tum Upkaar Sugreevhin Kinha।
Ram Milaaye Raajpad Dinha॥

Translation: You, Sugreev, were favored with kindness,
Uniting you with Ram, He gave you the kingdom.

Tumhro Mantra Vibhishan Maana।
Lankeswar Bhaye Sab Jag Jana॥

Translation: Vibhishan heeded your counsel,
And the whole world knows he became the Lord of Lanka.

Jug Sahastra Jojan Par Bhaanu।
Lilyo Taahi Madhur Phal Jaanu॥

Translation: Thousands of years distant, beyond the sun,
You reached and discovered the sweet fruit there.

Prabhu Mudrika Meli Mukh Maahi।
Jaldhi Laanghi Gaye Achraj Naahi॥

Translation: With the Lord’s ring in your mouth,
You crossed the ocean; there’s no wonder in that.

Durgam Kaaj Jagat Ke Jete।
Sugam Anugraha Tumhre Tete॥

Translation: All the difficult tasks in the world,
Become easy by your grace.”

Ram Dooare Tum Rakhwaare।
Hoat Na Aagya Binu Paisare॥

Translation: You are the protector of the door to Rama,
No one can enter without your permission.

Sab Sukh Lahai Tumhari Sarna।
Tum Rakhshak Kaahu Ko Darna॥

Translation: All happiness is obtained in your shelter,
Under your protection, no one has to fear.

Aapan Tej Samharo Aapai।
Teeno Lok Haank Te Kaanpen॥

Translation: You yourself possess the power to annihilate and create,
All three worlds tremble at your roar.

Bhoot Pisaach Nikat Nahi Aave।
Mahabir Jab Naam Sunave॥

Translation: Ghosts and demons do not come near,
When the great hero’s name is heard.

Naasai Rog Harai Sab Peera।
Japat Nirantar Hanumat Beera॥

Translation: All diseases are destroyed, and all pains are removed,
By continuously chanting the name of Hanuman, the mighty hero.

Sankat Te Hanuman Chhoodave।
Man Krama Bachan Dhyaan Jo Laave॥

Translation: Hanuman liberates from difficulties,
Whoever brings to mind in thought, deed, and speech.

Sab Par Raam Tapasvi Raja।
Tin Ke Kaaj Sakal Tum Saaja॥

Translation: Lord Rama is the ascetic king over all,
All your tasks are accomplished by Him.

Aur Manorath Jo Koi Laave।
Soi Amit Jivan Phal Paave॥

Translation: Whoever brings their desires,
They attain the eternal fruit of life.

Chaaro Jug Partaap Tumhara।
Hai Parsiddh Jagat Ujiyara॥

Translation: Your glory is renowned in all four ages,
The world is illuminated by your radiance.

Saadhu Sant Ke Tum Rakhwaare।
Asur Nikandan Ram Dulaare॥

Translation: You are the protector of saints and holy beings,
Oh beloved of Lord Rama, the destroyer of demons.

Asht Siddhi Nau Nidhi Ke Daata।
As bar Deen Janki Maata॥

Translation: You bestow the eight mystical powers and the nine treasures,
And rescue the distressed, having been blessed by Mother Janaki (Sita).

Ram Rasayan Tumhre Paasa।
Sada Raho Raghupati Ke Daasa॥

Translation: You possess the elixir of devotion to Lord Rama,
May you always remain a servant of Lord Raghupati (Rama).

Tumhre Bhajan Ram Ko Paave।
Janam Janam Ke Dukh Bisraave॥

Translation: By worshiping you, one attains Lord Rama,
And all the sorrows of many lifetimes are forgotten.

Antakaal Raghubar Pur Jaayee।
Jahan Janam Hari-Bhakt Kahayee॥

Translation: At the end of life, one goes to the abode of Lord Rama,
Wherein one is called a devotee of the Lord.

Aur Devta Chitt Na Dharayi।
Hanumat Sei Sarb Sukh Karayi॥

Translation: No other deity is contemplated in the mind,
For through Hanuman, all joys are bestowed.

Sankat Kate Mite Sab Peera।
Jo Sumirai Hanumat Balbira॥

Translation: All troubles are removed, and every pain is eradicated,
By meditating on Hanuman, the mighty and courageous.

Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosaai।
Kripa Karahun Gurudev Ki Naai॥

Translation: Hail, Hail, Hail Lord Hanuman!
Bestow your grace upon us, O Guru Dev.

Jo Sat Baar Paath Kar Koi।
Chhootahin Bandi Maha sukh Hoyi॥

Translation: Whoever recites this seven times,
They are released from bondage and experience great joy.

Jo Yeh Padhe Hanuman Chalisa।
Hoye Siddhi Saakhi Gaurisa॥

Translation: Whoever recites the Hanuman Chalisa,
Witnesses Lord Shiva granting them blessings.

Tulsidas Sada Harichera।
Kije Naath Hridaya Mahn Dera॥

Translation: Tulsidas forever remains a servant of Lord Hari,
May you reside in the inner chamber of my heart, O Lord.

॥ Doha ॥

Pavantanaye Sankat Haran,
Mangal Moorti Roop।
Ram Lakhan Sita Sahit,
Hridaya Basahu Soor Bhoop॥

Translation: Oh Hanuman, the son of the wind, remover of difficulties,
Embodiment of auspiciousness,
Reside in my heart along with Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita,
And be the king of courage.