Sanskrit Mantras With Meaning — Part 7: Shree Hanuman Chalisa

This is Part 7 of the Sanskrit Mantras With Meaning series. Read the introduction and full list in Part 1.

History

Shree Hanuman Chalisa is a forty-verse devotional hymn to Lord Hanuman, composed by the poet-saint Goswami Tulsidas in the sixteenth century, in the Awadhi language. Tulsidas is best known for the Ramcharitmanas, his retelling of the Ramayana, and tradition holds that he founded the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in Varanasi at the place where he is said to have had a vision of Lord Hanuman.

The word "Chalisa" comes from the Hindi "chalis," meaning forty — the number of chaupais (quatrains) in the hymn, not counting the opening and closing dohas (couplets).

Benefits, As Stated in the Text

Near the end of the hymn, Tulsidas states its own benefits directly: whoever recites the Hanuman Chalisa one hundred times with devotion is freed from worldly bondage and finds great happiness (verse 38); whoever reads it with devotion attains perfection, with Lord Shiva himself as witness (verse 39). Earlier verses also state that difficulties and sorrows disappear for those who meditate on Hanuman with mind, deed, and word (verse 26), and that ghosts and evil spirits will not come near when his name is spoken (verse 24).

The Mantra, Pankti by Pankti

Opening Doha 1

श्रीगुरु चरण सरोजरज, निजमन मुकुर सुधार । बरणौ रघुबर बिमल यश, जो दायक फलचार ॥

With the dust of the lotus feet of Sri Gurudeva, I clean the mirror of my mind. I narrate the sacred glory of Sri Raghubar (Lord Rama), who bestows the four fruits of life — Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.

Opening Doha 2

बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके, सुमिरौं पवन कुमार । बल बुद्धि विद्या देहु मोहिं, हरहु कलेश विकार ॥

Considering myself as ignorant, I meditate on you, O Pavan Kumar (Lord Hanuman). Bestow on me strength, wisdom, and knowledge, and remove my afflictions and blemishes.

Verse 1

जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुण सागर । जै कपीस तिहुँलोक उजागर ॥

Victory to you, O Lord Hanuman, who is the ocean of wisdom and virtue. Victory to the Lord of the monkeys, who is the enlightener of the three worlds.

Verse 2

रामदूत अतुलित बलधामा । अंजनि-पुत्र पवन-सुत नामा ॥

You are the messenger of Lord Rama, possessing immeasurable strength. You are known as Anjani-Putra and Pavana-Suta, son of Anjani and son of Pavana, the wind god.

Verse 3

महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी । कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी ॥

You are a great hero, extremely valiant, with a body as strong as thunderbolt. You are the dispeller of evil thoughts and companion of good sense and wisdom.

Verse 4

कंचन बरण बिराज सुबेशा । कानन कुंडल कुंचित केशा ॥

You possess a golden hue and are neatly dressed. You wear earrings and have beautiful curly hair.

Verse 5

हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै । काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजै ॥

You hold the thunderbolt and the flag in your hands. You wear the sacred thread across your shoulder.

Verse 6

शंकर-सुवन केशरी-नन्दन । तेज प्रताप महा जग-वंदन ॥

You are the incarnation of Lord Shiva and son of Kesari. You are adored by the whole world on account of your great strength and courage.

Verse 7

विद्यावान गुणी अति चातुर । राम काज करिबे को आतुर ॥

You are learned, virtuous, and extremely intelligent. You are always eager to do the work of Lord Rama.

Verse 8

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

You delight in listening to the glories of Lord Rama. You have Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Devi Sita dwelling in your heart.

Verse 9

सूक्ष्म रूपधरि सियहिं दिखावा । विकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा ॥

You appeared before Devi Sita assuming a diminutive form, in Lanka. You assumed an awesome form and burnt Lanka.

Verse 10

भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे । रामचन्द्र के काज सँवारे ॥

You assumed a gigantic form and destroyed the demons, thereby accomplishing the task of Lord Rama.

Verse 11

लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये । श्री रघुबीर हरषि उर लाये ॥

You brought the Sanjivani herb and revived Lakshmana. Because of this, Lord Rama embraced you, overflowing with joy.

Verse 12

रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बडाई । तुम मम प्रिय भरतहिसम भाई ॥

Lord Rama praised you greatly, and said: "You are as dear to me as my brother Bharata."

Verse 13

सहस बदन तुम्हरो यश गावैं । अस कहि श्रीपति कण्ठ लगावैं ॥

"The thousand-headed Seshnag sings your glory," said Lord Rama to you, taking you in his embrace.

Verse 14

सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीशा । नारद शारद सहित अहीशा ॥

Sanaka and other sages, Lord Brahma and other gods, Narada, Devi Saraswati, and Seshnag —

Verse 15

यम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँते । कवि कोविद कहि सकैं कहाँते ॥

— Yama, Kubera, the Digpalas, poets and scholars, have not been able to describe your glories in full.

Verse 16

तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा । राम मिलाय राजपद दीन्हा ॥

You rendered a great help to Sugriva. You introduced him to Lord Rama and thereby restored his kingdom.

Verse 17

तुम्हरो मंत्र विभीषण माना । लंकेश्वर भये सब जग जाना ॥

Vibhishana followed your advice, and the whole world knows that he became the king of Lanka.

Verse 18

युग सहस्र योजन पर भानू । लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू ॥

The sun, which was at a great distance, you swallowed thinking it to be a sweet fruit.

Verse 19

प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं । जलधि लाँधि गये अचरजनाहीं ॥

Carrying Lord Rama's ring in your mouth, you crossed the ocean — no wonder in that.

Verse 20

दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते । सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते ॥

All the difficult tasks in this world are rendered easy by your grace.

Verse 21

राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे । होत न आज्ञा बिन पैसारे ॥

You are the gatekeeper of Lord Rama's kingdom. No one can enter without your permission.

Verse 22

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

Those who take refuge in you enjoy all happiness. If you are the protector, what is there to fear?

Verse 23

आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै । तीनों लोक हाँकते काँपै ॥

You alone can control your great energy. When you roar, the three worlds tremble.

Verse 24

भूत पिशाच निकट नहिं आवै । महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै ॥

Ghosts and evil spirits will not come near when one utters the name of Mahavir, Lord Hanuman.

Verse 25

नाशौ रोग हरै सब पीरा । जपत निरन्तर हनुमत बीरा ॥

You destroy diseases and remove all pains, when one utters your name continuously.

Verse 26

संकट से हनुमान छुडावै । मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै ॥

Lord Hanuman frees one from difficulties, when one meditates on him with mind, deed, and words.

Verse 27

सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा । तिनके काज सकल तुम साजा ॥

Lord Rama is the king of the tapasvis, those devoted to penance. And you fulfill all the works of Lord Rama.

Verse 28

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

Devotees who have any other desires will ultimately attain the highest fruit of life.

Verse 29

चारों युग परताप तुम्हारा । है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा ॥

Your glory prevails across all four ages, and your fame radiates throughout the world.

Verse 30

साधु संत के तुम रखवारे । असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे ॥

You are the saviour of saints and sages. You destroy the demons, O beloved of Lord Rama.

Verse 31

अष्टसिद्धि नव निधि के दाता । अस बर दीन जानकी माता ॥

You can grant the eight siddhis and nine nidhis. Mother Janaki, Devi Sita, gave you this blessing.

Verse 32

राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा । सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा ॥

You hold the essence of devotion to Lord Rama. You always remain the servant of Raghupati, Lord Rama.

Verse 33

तुम्हरे भजन रामको पावै । जन्म जन्म के दुख बिसरावै ॥

Through devotion to you, one attains Lord Rama, and thereby becomes free of the sorrows of life after life.

Verse 34

अन्त काल रघुपति पुर जाई । जहाँ जन्म हरिभक्त कहाई ॥

At the end, one goes to the abode of Raghupati, Lord Rama, where one is known as a devotee of Hari.

Verse 35

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

Even without worshipping any other deity, one who worships Lord Hanuman attains all happiness.

Verse 36

संकट हरै मिटै सब पीरा । जो सुमिरै हनुमत बल बीरा ॥

Difficulties disappear and sorrows are removed for those who contemplate on the powerful Lord Hanuman.

Verse 37

जै जै जै हनुमान गोसाई । कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाई ॥

Victory, victory, victory to you, O Lord Hanuman. Please bestow your grace as our supreme guru.

Verse 38

जोह शत बार पाठ कर कोई । छुटहि बन्दि महासुख होई ॥

Whoever recites the Hanuman Chalisa one hundred times will be freed from worldly bondage and attain great happiness.

Verse 39

जो यह पढै हनुमान चालीसा । होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा ॥

Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa with devotion will attain perfection, with Lord Shiva himself as witness.

Verse 40

तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा । कीजै नाथ हृदय महँ डेरा ॥

Tulsidas, who is always the servant of Hari, prays that the Lord may reside in his heart.

Closing Doha

पवनतनय संकट हरन, मंगल मूरति रूप । रामलखन सीता सहित, हृदय बसहु सुरभूप ॥

Lord Hanuman, son of Pavana, remover of difficulties, of auspicious form — please dwell in my heart, together with Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Devi Sita.

Sources: Sanskrit/Awadhi text and translation from greenmesg.org, cross-checked against researchut.com (translation credited to Vibhor Mahajan). Recording: Apple Music — Hariharan. I have not translated any part of this text myself; all meaning is drawn from the cited sources.

Om Namah Shivaya