When it is sung
Recited on Tuesdays and Saturdays, Hanuman’s days, at Hanuman Jayanti, and by many people every morning or before anything frightening — an exam, a journey, an operation. It is usually followed by the aarti Aarti Kije Hanuman Lala Ki. A full recitation takes about ten minutes; the closing verses promise the greatest benefit to one who recites it a hundred times.
Full text, with meaning
Each line of the verse, with its romanisation beneath and what the verse says after it.
Opening dohas
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि।
Shri Guru charan saroj raj, nij manu mukuru sudhari
बरनऊँ रघुबर बिमल जसु जो दायकु फल चारि॥
Baranau Raghubar bimal jasu, jo dayaku phal chari
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके सुमिरौं पवनकुमार।
Buddhiheen tanu janike, sumirau Pavan-kumar
बल बुद्धि बिद्या देहु मोहिं हरहु कलेस बिकार॥
Bal buddhi bidya dehu mohi, harahu kales bikar
Meaning
Cleaning the mirror of my mind with the dust of my guru’s lotus feet, I describe the spotless glory of Rama, which grants the four aims of life — duty, wealth, love and liberation. Knowing myself to be without understanding, I remember the son of the wind: give me strength, intelligence and knowledge, and take away my troubles and faults. The image is a metal mirror polished with fine dust; the poet asks to be cleaned before he dares to describe Rama.
Chaupai 1–4
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर। जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर॥
Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar. Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा। अंजनिपुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥
Ram doot atulit bal dhama. Anjani-putra Pavansut nama
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी। कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥
Mahabir bikram Bajrangi. Kumati nivar sumati ke sangi
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा। कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा॥
Kanchan baran biraj subesa. Kanan kundal kunchit kesa
Meaning
Victory to Hanuman, ocean of knowledge and virtue; victory to the lord of the monkeys, who lights up the three worlds. Rama’s messenger, home of strength beyond measure, called the son of Anjani and the son of the wind. Great hero, mighty, with a body like the thunderbolt, who drives away bad thinking and keeps company with good sense. Golden in colour, handsomely dressed, with rings in his ears and curling hair. Bajrangi is vajra-anga, “thunderbolt-limbed”.
Chaupai 5–8
हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै। काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजै॥
Haath bajra au dhvaja birajai. Kaandhe moonj janeu sajai
संकर सुवन केसरीनंदन। तेज प्रताप महा जग बंदन॥
Sankar suvan Kesari-nandan. Tej pratap maha jag bandan
विद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर। राम काज करिबे को आतुर॥
Vidyavan guni ati chatur. Ram kaj karibe ko aatur
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया। राम लखन सीता मन बसिया॥
Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiya. Ram Lakhan Sita man basiya
Meaning
In his hands shine the thunderbolt and a banner; on his shoulder is the sacred thread of munja grass. Born of Shankar, the son of Kesari, his radiance and power are honoured by the whole world. Learned, virtuous and very wise, always eager to do Rama’s work. He delights in hearing the Lord’s story; Rama, Lakshmana and Sita live in his heart. “Sankar suvan” calls him Shiva’s own — the tradition that Hanuman is a form of Shiva — while Kesari is his father.
Chaupai 9–12
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा। बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा॥
Sookshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhava. Bikat roop dhari Lank jarava
भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे। रामचंद्र के काज सँवारे॥
Bheem roop dhari asur sanhare. Ramchandra ke kaj sanvare
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये। श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये॥
Laay Sajivan Lakhan jiyaye. Shri Raghubir harashi ur laye
रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई। तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई॥
Raghupati kinhi bahut badai. Tum mam priya Bharatahi sam bhai
Meaning
Taking a tiny form he showed himself to Sita; taking a terrible form he burned Lanka. In a fearsome form he destroyed the demons and completed Ramachandra’s work. He brought the Sanjeevani herb and brought Lakshmana back to life, and Rama in his joy held him to his heart. Rama praised him greatly: “You are as dear to me as my brother Bharata.” Four lines carry the whole Sundara Kanda and the war.
Chaupai 13–16
सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं। अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं॥
Sahas badan tumharo jas gaavain. As kahi Shripati kanth lagavain
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा। नारद सारद सहित अहीसा॥
Sanakadik Brahmadi munisa. Narad Sarad sahit Ahisa
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते। कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहाँ ते॥
Jam Kuber Digpal jahan te. Kabi kobid kahi sake kahan te
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा। राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा॥
Tum upkar Sugrivahi kinha. Ram milaye raj pad dinha
Meaning
“May the thousand-mouthed serpent sing your fame,” said the lord of Lakshmi, and embraced him. Sanaka and the sages, Brahma and the gods, Narada, Saraswati and the king of serpents; Yama, Kubera and the guardians of the directions — where they fall short, how could poets and scholars describe you? You did Sugriva a great service: you brought him to Rama and gave him back his kingdom.
Chaupai 17–20
तुम्हरो मंत्र बिभीषन माना। लंकेस्वर भए सब जग जाना॥
Tumharo mantra Bibhishan mana. Lankeshvar bhaye sab jag jana
जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानू। लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू॥
Jug sahasra jojan par bhanu. Leelyo tahi madhur phal janu
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं। जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं॥
Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahin. Jaladhi laanghi gaye acharaj nahin
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते। सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते॥
Durgam kaj jagat ke jete. Sugam anugrah tumhare tete
Meaning
Vibhishana followed your counsel and became king of Lanka, as the whole world knows. The sun, thousands of yojanas away, you swallowed, taking it for a sweet fruit. Holding the Lord’s ring in your mouth you leapt across the ocean — no wonder in that. Every hard task in the world becomes easy by your grace. The sun is the childhood story: the infant Hanuman leapt at the rising sun thinking it was a ripe fruit.
Chaupai 21–24
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे। होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे॥
Ram duare tum rakhvare. Hot na aagya binu paisare
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना। तुम रच्छक काहू को डर ना॥
Sab sukh lahai tumhari sarna. Tum rachchhak kahu ko dar na
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै। तीनों लोक हाँक तें काँपै॥
Aapan tej samharo aapai. Teenon lok hank te kanpai
भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै। महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै॥
Bhoot pisach nikat nahin aavai. Mahabir jab naam sunavai
Meaning
You are the guard at Rama’s door; no one enters without your leave. Whoever takes refuge in you finds every happiness; with you as protector, why fear anyone? Only you can hold your own power in check; the three worlds tremble at your roar. Ghosts and evil spirits come nowhere near when the name Mahavir is spoken. This is the half of the Chalisa people recite when they are afraid.
Chaupai 25–28
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा। जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा॥
Nasai rog harai sab peera. Japat nirantar Hanumat beera
संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै। मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै॥
Sankat te Hanuman chhudavai. Man kram bachan dhyan jo lavai
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा। तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा॥
Sab par Ram tapasvi raja. Tin ke kaj sakal tum saja
और मनोरथ जो कोइ लावै। सोइ अमित जीवन फल पावै॥
Aur manorath jo koi lavai. Soi amit jivan phal pavai
Meaning
Disease is destroyed and all pain taken away by repeating, without pause, the name of the hero Hanuman. Hanuman frees from trouble whoever fixes their mind on him in thought, deed and word. Rama, the ascetic king, is above all, and you carried out every one of his tasks. Whoever comes to you with any other wish receives the boundless fruit of life.
Chaupai 29–32
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा। है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा॥
Charon jug partap tumhara. Hai parsiddh jagat ujiyara
साधु संत के तुम रखवारे। असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे॥
Sadhu sant ke tum rakhvare. Asur nikandan Ram dulare
अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता। अस बर दीन जानकी माता॥
Ashta siddhi nau nidhi ke data. As bar deen Janaki mata
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा। सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा॥
Ram rasayan tumhare pasa. Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa
Meaning
Your glory runs through all four ages; your fame is the light of the world. You are the protector of the holy and the good, the destroyer of demons, Rama’s beloved. Mother Janaki — Sita — gave you the boon of granting the eight powers and the nine treasures. You hold the elixir of Rama; may you always remain the servant of Raghupati.
Chaupai 33–36
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै। जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै॥
Tumhare bhajan Ram ko pavai. Janam janam ke dukh bisravai
अंत काल रघुबर पुर जाई। जहाँ जन्म हरिभक्त कहाई॥
Ant kaal Raghubar pur jai. Jahan janma Hari-bhakt kahai
और देवता चित्त न धरई। हनुमत सेइ सर्ब सुख करई॥
Aur devta chitt na dharai. Hanumat sei sarb sukh karai
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा। जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥
Sankat katai mitai sab peera. Jo sumirai Hanumat balbeera
Meaning
Through devotion to you one reaches Rama and forgets the sorrows of birth after birth. At the end one goes to Rama’s city, and if born again is known as a devotee of Hari. Keep no other god in mind: serving Hanuman brings every happiness. Trouble is cut away and all pain ends for whoever remembers the mighty hero Hanuman.
Chaupai 37–40
जै जै जै हनुमान गोसाईं। कृपा करहु गुरु देव की नाईं॥
Jai jai jai Hanuman Gosain. Kripa karahu gurudev ki nain
जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई। छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई॥
Jo sat baar path kar koi. Chhootahi bandi maha sukh hoi
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चलीसा। होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा॥
Jo yah padhai Hanuman Chalisa. Hoy siddhi sakhi Gaurisa
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा। कीजै नाथ हृदय महँ डेरा॥
Tulsidas sada Hari chera. Kijai Nath hriday mahan dera
Meaning
Victory, victory, victory to lord Hanuman — be gracious to me as a guru is. Whoever recites this a hundred times is freed from bondage and gains great happiness. Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa attains success; Shiva, Gauri’s lord, is the witness. Tulsidas, forever the servant of Hari, asks: Lord, make your home in my heart. The poet signs his name in the last verse, as Hindi devotional poets do.
Closing doha
पवनतनय संकट हरन मंगल मूरति रूप।
Pavan-tanay sankat haran, mangal moorati roop
राम लखन सीता सहित हृदय बसहु सुर भूप॥
Ram Lakhan Sita sahit, hriday basahu sur bhoop
Meaning
Son of the wind, remover of troubles, the very form of all that is auspicious: king among the gods, live in my heart together with Rama, Lakshmana and Sita.
About this aarti
Tulsidas, the poet of the Ramcharitmanas, wrote the Chalisa in Awadhi, the same language as his Ramayana. Its form gives it its name: forty chaupais — four-part rhyming couplets — between two dohas at the start and one at the end. It is short enough to learn as a child and to recite in about ten minutes, which is a large part of why it became the most widely memorised devotional text in Hindi.
The forty verses do three things in order. The first eight describe Hanuman: his strength, his learning, his appearance, his devotion. The next twelve retell his deeds in the Ramayana — finding Sita, burning Lanka, the Sanjeevani, bringing Sugriva and Vibhishana to Rama — a line or two each. The last twenty turn to the reader: what Hanuman protects against, and what reciting the text brings.
The most-quoted lines are the protection verses in the middle: bhoot pisach nikat nahin aavai, mahabir jab naam sunavai — ghosts and evil spirits come nowhere near when the name Mahavir is spoken. They are why the Chalisa is the text people reach for in fear, and why it is recited before journeys and hospital visits as well as in temples.
Tulsidas died in 1623. Indian copyright lasts for the author’s life plus sixty years, so the text has been in the public domain for centuries; the romanisation and English meaning on this page are this site’s own.
A note on the text
The text follows the typed edition at sanskritdocuments.org, checked line by line against the Gita Press illustrated edition (GP 1997, scanned copy cited below) and a second printed Hindi edition. Where the typed edition differs from both prints, the prints are followed: सूक्ष्म for the typed सूक्श्म, सम्हारो for संहारो, कोइ, सोइ and सेइ for कोई, सोई and सेई, and हृदय महँ डेरा for मँह. The Gita Press scan reads सहस्त्र in “जुग सहस्र जोजन”; the other print and the typed edition have सहस्र, given here. Many recitations say चालीसा in the second-to-last verse; both prints and the typed edition read चलीसा, for the metre. The aarti sung afterwards is on its own page, Aarti Kije Hanuman Lala Ki.
Sources
- Hanuman Chalisa — sanskritdocuments.org (typed Devanagari edition)
- Chitra Shri Hanuman Chalisa (Gita Press, GP 1997) — scanned copy, Internet Archive
- Shri Hanuman Chalisa (Hindi print) — scanned copy, Internet Archive
These texts are in the public domain. The verse is reproduced from the cited source; the English meaning and the background notes on this page are original writing.