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- Opening dohas
- Doha 1
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज, निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि।बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु, जो दायकु फल चारि॥
śrīguru carana saroja raja, nija manu mukuru sudhāri।baranaũ raghubara bimala jasu, jo dāyaku phala cāri॥
Having polished the mirror of my mind with the dust of my guru's lotus feet, I describe the pure glory of Rama, giver of the four fruits of life.
- Doha 2
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके, सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार।बल बुधि बिद्या देहु मोहिं, हरहु कलेस बिकार॥
buddhihīna tanu jānike, sumiraũ pavana-kumāra।bala budhi bidyā dehu mohĩ, harahu kalesa bikāra॥
Knowing my body to be without wisdom, I remember the son of the Wind. Grant me strength, intelligence, and knowledge, and remove my afflictions and faults.
- The 40 chaupais
- Chaupai 1
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर।जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर॥
jaya hanumāna jñāna guna sāgara।jaya kapīsa tihũ loka ujāgara॥
Victory to Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue; victory to the lord of monkeys, who illuminates the three worlds.
- Chaupai 2
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा।अंजनि-पुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥
rāma dūta atulita bala dhāmā।añjani-putra pavanasuta nāmā॥
Messenger of Rama, abode of unmatched strength — known by the names son of Anjani and son of the Wind.
- Chaupai 3
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी।कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥
mahābīra bikrama bajaraṅgī।kumati nivāra sumati ke saṅgī॥
Great hero, mighty as a thunderbolt — dispeller of evil thought, companion of good sense.
- Chaupai 4
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा।कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा॥
kañcana barana birāja subesā।kānana kuṇḍala kuñcita kesā॥
Golden in hue, beautifully adorned, with earrings in your ears and curly hair.
- Chaupai 5
हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै।काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजै॥
hātha bajra au dhvajā birājai।kā̃dhe mūñja janeū sājai॥
A mace and a banner shine in your hands; a sacred thread of munja grass adorns your shoulder.
- Chaupai 6
शंकर सुवन केसरीनंदन।तेज प्रताप महा जग बंदन॥
śaṅkara suvana kesarīnandana।teja pratāpa mahā jaga bandana॥
Son of Shankar, delight of Kesari — your might and glory are worshipped throughout the world.
- Chaupai 7
विद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर।राम काज करिबे को आतुर॥
vidyāvāna gunī ati cātura।rāma kāja karibe ko ātura॥
Learned, virtuous, and highly skilled — ever eager to accomplish Rama's work.
- Chaupai 8
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया।राम लखन सीता मन बसिया॥
prabhu caritra sunibe ko rasiyā।rāma lakhana sītā mana basiyā॥
You delight in hearing the Lord's deeds; Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita dwell in your heart.
- Chaupai 9
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा।बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा॥
sūkṣma rūpa dhari siyahĩ dikhāvā।bikaṭa rūpa dhari laṅka jarāvā॥
Taking a tiny form, you showed yourself to Sita; taking a fearsome form, you burned Lanka.
- Chaupai 10
भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे।रामचंद्र के काज सँवारे॥
bhīma rūpa dhari asura sãhāre।rāmacandra ke kāja sãvāre॥
Taking a massive form, you destroyed the demons and accomplished Ramachandra's task.
- Chaupai 11
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये।श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये॥
lāya sajīvana lakhana jiyāye।śrīraghubīra haraṣi ura lāye॥
Bringing the sanjivani herb, you revived Lakshmana; Sri Raghubir embraced you joyfully.
- Chaupai 12
रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई।तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई॥
raghupati kīnhī bahuta baḍāī।tuma mama priya bharatahi sama bhāī॥
Raghupati praised you greatly: "You are as dear to me as my brother Bharata."
- Chaupai 13
सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं।अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं॥
sahasa badana tumharo jasa gāvaĩ।asa kahi śrīpati kaṇṭha lagāvaĩ॥
"Let a thousand mouths sing your praise," said the Lord of Lakshmi, drawing you close.
- Chaupai 14
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा।नारद सारद सहित अहीसा॥
sanakādika brahmādi munīsā।nārada sārada sahita ahīsā॥
Sanaka and the other sages, Brahma and the great seers, Narada, Sarasvati, and Shesha, the serpent-king —
- Chaupai 15
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते।कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहाँ ते॥
jama kubera digapāla jahā̃ te।kabi kobida kahi sake kahā̃ te॥
Yama, Kubera, the guardians of the directions — where can any poet or scholar find words to describe your glory?
- Chaupai 16
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा।राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा॥
tuma upakāra sugrīvahĩ kīnhā।rāma milāya rāja pada dīnhā॥
You did Sugriva a great favor, uniting him with Rama and restoring him to his throne.
- Chaupai 17
तुम्हरो मंत्र बिभीषन माना।लंकेस्वर भए सब जग जाना॥
tumharo mantra bibhīṣana mānā।laṅkeśvara bhae saba jaga jānā॥
Vibhishana heeded your counsel and, as the whole world knows, became the lord of Lanka.
- Chaupai 18
जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानू।लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू॥
juga sahasra jojana para bhānū।līlyo tāhi madhura phala jānū॥
The sun, thousands of yojanas away, you swallowed as a child, mistaking it for a sweet fruit.
- Chaupai 19
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं।जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं॥
prabhu mudrikā meli mukha māhī̃।jaladhi lā̃ghi gaye acaraja nāhī̃॥
Holding the Lord's ring in your mouth, you leapt across the ocean — no wonder at all, for you.
- Chaupai 20
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते।सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते॥
durgama kāja jagata ke jete।sugama anugraha tumhare tete॥
Every difficult task in this world becomes easy through your grace.
- Chaupai 21
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे।होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे॥
rāma duāre tuma rakhavāre।hota na ājñā binu pai̯sāre॥
You are the guardian at Rama's door; none may enter without your leave.
- Chaupai 22
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना।तुम रच्छक काहू को डर ना॥
saba sukha lahai tumhārī sarnā।tuma raccha kāhū ko ḍara nā॥
All happiness comes to one who takes your shelter; under your protection, there is nothing to fear.
- Chaupai 23
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै।तीनों लोक हाँक तें काँपै॥
āpana teja samhāro āpai।tīnõ loka hā̃ka tẽ kā̃pai॥
Only you can contain your own splendor; at your roar, the three worlds tremble.
- Chaupai 24
भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै।महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै॥
bhūta pisāca nikaṭa nahĩ āvai।mahābīra jaba nāma sunāvai॥
Ghosts and evil spirits dare not come near one who utters the name of the great hero.
- Chaupai 25
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा।जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा॥
nāsai roga harai saba pīrā।japata nirantara hanumata bīrā॥
Disease is destroyed and every pain removed for one who constantly chants the name of the brave Hanuman.
- Chaupai 26
संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै।मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै॥
saṅkaṭa tẽ hanumāna chuḍāvai।mana krama bacana dhyāna jo lāvai॥
Hanuman rescues from distress those who fix their mind, word, and deed on him in devotion.
- Chaupai 27
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा।तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा॥
saba para rāma tapasvī rājā।tina ke kāja sakala tuma sājā॥
Rama, the ascetic king, reigns above all — yet it is you who accomplish all his tasks.
- Chaupai 28
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै।सोइ अमित जीवन फल पावै॥
aura manoratha jo koī lāvai।soi amita jīvana phala pāvai॥
Whoever brings any wish to you receives the boundless fruit of life.
- Chaupai 29
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा।है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा॥
cārõ juga paratāpa tumhārā।hai parasiddha jagata ujiyārā॥
Your glory shines through all four ages, celebrated and radiant throughout the world.
- Chaupai 30
साधु संत के तुम रखवारे।असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे॥
sādhu santa ke tuma rakhavāre।asura nikandana rāma dulāre॥
You are the guardian of the saints and sages, destroyer of demons, and Rama's beloved.
- Chaupai 31
अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता।अस बर दीन जानकी माता॥
aṣṭa siddhi nau nidhi ke dātā।asa bara dīna jānakī mātā॥
You grant the eight siddhis and nine treasures — this boon Mother Janaki (Sita) gave you.
- Chaupai 32
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा।सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा॥
rāma rasāyana tumhare pāsā।sadā raho raghupati ke dāsā॥
You hold the elixir of devotion to Rama, and remain forever the servant of Raghupati.
- Chaupai 33
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै।जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै॥
tumhare bhajana rāma ko pāvai।janama janama ke dukha bisarāvai॥
Through devotion to you, one attains Rama, and the sorrows of countless lifetimes are forgotten.
- Chaupai 34
अंतकाल रघुबर पुर जाई।जहाँ जन्म हरिभक्त कहाई॥
antakāla raghubara pura jāī।jahā̃ janma haribhakta kahāī॥
At the end of life, one goes to Raghubar's own abode, and is known there as a devotee of Hari.
- Chaupai 35
और देवता चित्त न धरई।हनुमत सेइ सर्ब सुख करई॥
aura devatā citta na dharaī।hanumata sei sarba sukha karaī॥
One who serves Hanuman, holding no other deity in mind, obtains every happiness.
- Chaupai 36
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा।जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥
saṅkaṭa kaṭai miṭai saba pīrā।jo sumirai hanumata balabīrā॥
All distress ends and every pain vanishes for one who remembers the mighty, powerful Hanuman.
- Chaupai 37
जय जय जय हनुमान गोसाईं।कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं॥
jaya jaya jaya hanumāna gosāī̃।kṛpā karahu gurudeva kī nāī̃॥
Victory, victory, victory to Lord Hanuman! Show your grace upon me as a true guru would.
- Chaupai 38
जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई।छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई॥
jo sata bāra pāṭha kara koī।chūṭahi bandi mahā sukha hoī॥
Whoever recites this a hundred times is freed from bondage and attains great joy.
- Chaupai 39
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा।होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा॥
jo yaha paḍhai hanumāna cālīsā।hoya siddhi sākhī gaurīsā॥
Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa attains success — Shiva himself stands witness to it.
- Chaupai 40
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा।कीजै नाथ हृदय महँ डेरा॥
tulasīdāsa sadā hari cherā।kījai nātha hṛdaya mahã ḍerā॥
Tulsidas is forever a servant of Hari: "O Lord, make your dwelling in my heart."
- Closing doha
- Doha (closing)
पवनतनय संकट हरन, मंगल मूरति रूप।राम लखन सीता सहित, हृदय बसहु सुर भूप॥
pavanatanaya saṅkaṭa harana, maṅgala mūrati rūpa।rāma lakhana sītā sahita, hṛdaya basahu sura bhūpa॥
O son of the Wind, remover of distress, form of auspiciousness — dwell in my heart, together with Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, king of the gods.
- The 4 jaikaras
- Jaikara 1
॥ सियावर रामचन्द्र की जय ॥
siyāvara rāmacandra kī jaya
Victory to Ramachandra, husband of Sita!
- Jaikara 2
॥ पवनसुत हनुमान की जय ॥
pavanasuta hanumāna kī jaya
Victory to Hanuman, son of the Wind!
- Jaikara 3
॥ उमापति महादेव की जय ॥
umāpati mahādeva kī jaya
Victory to Mahadeva, husband of Uma!
- Jaikara 4
॥ बोलो रे भई सब संतन की जय ॥
bolo re bhaī saba santana kī jaya
Say it, everyone — victory to all the saints!
Overview
The Hanuman Chalisa is a devotional composition of forty verses (chalis, “forty,” in Hindi) in praise of Hanuman, framed by two opening dohas and one closing doha. It is among the most widely recited texts in Hindu devotional practice, chanted daily by millions of people across India and the diaspora, independent of sect or region.
Origin and source
The Hanuman Chalisa is traditionally attributed to Tulsidas, the 16th-century poet-saint best known for the Ramcharitmanas, his Awadhi retelling of the Ramayana. Like the Ramcharitmanas, the Chalisa is composed in Awadhi rather than classical Sanskrit — a literary Hindi dialect of the Awadh region — which is part of why it reads as directly meaningful devotional poetry rather than a Sanskrit scripture. The two opening dohas set up the poet’s intention (asking for clarity of mind through the guru’s grace, then invoking Hanuman by name) before the forty chaupai recount Hanuman’s qualities, his deeds in the Ramayana, and the benefits said to come from reciting his name and this text — a structure common to many chalisas.
How it is recited
The Hanuman Chalisa is recited daily by many devotees, often at home in the morning or evening, and is especially associated with Tuesday and Saturday — the two days most closely linked to Hanuman in North Indian devotional practice. It is commonly recited once, or in some traditions repeated seven or more times in a single sitting; chaupai 38 itself refers to reciting it “a hundred times” (sata bara) as bringing particular benefit, though a single daily recitation is the far more common practice. It is often recited alongside other Hanuman-focused texts, such as the Bajrang Baan or Sundara Kanda.
Most printed and recited versions close with a short jaikara — a call-and-response victory chant to Rama, Hanuman, and Shiva, followed by a general call to “all the saints” — after the closing doha. It isn’t part of the forty chaupai or the framing dohas themselves, but it’s included here since it’s how the text is actually recited end to end in practice.
Frequently asked questions
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Sourcing
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