Introduction

I have loved the Hanuman Chalisa since I first heard it in a little open-air temple near the Ganga river in Varanasi. “Chalisa” refers to its forty verses, each of which praises Hanuman in a different way. The Hanuman Chalisa’s primary use is as a devotional practice. Hanuman is the embodiment of devotion, and by praying to him, we gradually begin to embody similar qualities.

However, I have encountered other uses for the Hanuman Chalisa as well. I once saw it used to scare away bad spirits. Or, in another instance, a friend in Nepal neglected to study for his final exams. The day before the exam, rather than cramming course material, he recited the Hanuman Chalisa all day, praying for help. He received excellent marks.

For the true Bhakta (devotee), however, there is nothing sweeter than singing the name of the Beloved. Singing the Hanuman Chalisa, one enters an ecstatic, devotional state. It is done for its own sake.

Feel the devotion in the version of the song below:

I know someone who, knowing very little about Hindu tradition, became fascinated by the Chalisa and committed herself to learning it. While meditating with it, she had a life-changing experience of direct contact with the divine. Such is the power of the Hanuman Chalisa.

Below you’ll find a PDF of the lyrics as well as the English translation. The translation and transliteration were graciously provided by Krishna Das, whose versions of the Hanuman Chalisa have enchanted many hearts (including my own).

Hanuman Chalisa PDF – With Lyrics and English Translation

Hanuman Chalisa Lyrics and English Translation

Transliteration and English translation by Krisha Das. Reprinted with permission.

Invocation~

Shree Guru charana saroja raja nija manu mukuru sudhari
Baranaun Raghubara bimala jasu jo daayaku phala chaari
Having polished the mirror of my heart with the dust of my Guru’s lotus feet
I sing the pure fame of the best of Raghus, which bestows the four fruits of life.

Budhi heena tanu jaanike sumiraun pawana kumaara
Bala budhi vidyaa dehu mohin harahu kalesa bikaara
I know that this body of mine has no intelligence, so I recall you, Son of the Wind
Grant me strength, wit and wisdom and remove my sorrows and shortcomings.

Bhajelo Ji Hanuman! Bhajelo Ji Hanuman!
Oh Friend! Remember Hanuman!

Verses~
1. Jaya Hanumaan gyaana guna saagara
Jaya Kapeesha tihun loka ujaagara
Hail to Hanuman, the ocean of wisdom and virtue,
Hail Monkey Lord, illuminater of the three worlds.

2. Raama doota atulita bala dhaamaa
Anjani putra Pawanasuta naamaa
You are Ram’s emissary, and the abode of matchless power
Anjani’s son, named the “Son of the Wind.”

3. Mahaabeera bikrama bajarangee
Kumati niwaara sumati ke sangee
Great hero, you are as mighty as a thunderbolt,
You remove evil thoughts and are the companion of the good.

4. Kanchana barana biraaja subesaa
Kaanana kundala kunchita kesaa
Golden hued and splendidly adorned
With heavy earrings and curly locks.

5. Haata bajra aura dwajaa biraajai
Kaandhe moonja janeu saajai
In your hands shine mace and a banner
And a sacred thread adorns your shoulder.

6. Shankara suwana Kesaree nandana
Teja prataapa mahaa jaga bandana
You are Shiva’s son and Kesari’s joy
And your glory is revered throughout the world.

7. Bidyaawaana gunee ati chaatura
Raama kaaja karibe ko aatura
You are the wisest of the wise, virtuous and clever
And ever intent on doing Ram’s work.

8. Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiyaa
Raama Lakhana Seetaa mana basiyaa
You delight in hearing of the Lord’s deeds,
Ram, Sita and Lakshman dwell in your heart.

9. Sookshma roopa dhari Siyahin dikhaawaa
Bikata roopa dhari Lankaa jaraawaa
Assuming a tiny form you appeared to Sita
And in an awesome form you burned Lanka.

10. Bheema roopa dhari asura sanghaare
Raamachandra ke kaaja sanvaare
Taking a dreadful form you slaughtered the demons
And completed Lord Ram’s mission.

11. Laaya sajeevana Lakhana jiyaaye
Shree Raghubeera harashi ura laaye
Bringing the magic herb you revived Lakshman
And Ram embraced you with delight.

12. Raghupati keenhee bahuta baraaee
Tuma mama priya Bharatahi sama bhaaee
The Lord of the Raghus praised you greatly:
“Brother, you are dear to me as Bharat!”

13. Sahasa badana tumharo jasa gaawai
Asa kahi Shreepati kanta lagaawai
“May the thousand-mouthed serpent sing your fame!”
So saying, Lakshmi’s Lord drew you to Himself.

14. Sanakaadika Brahmaadi muneesaa
Naarada Saarada sahita Aheesaa
Sanak and the sages, Brahma, gods and the great saints,
Narada, Saraswati and the King of serpents,

15. Yama Kubera digapaala jahaante
Kabi kobida kahi sake kahaante
Yama, Kubera and the guardians of the four quarters,
poets and scholars – none can express your glory.

16. Tuma upakaara Sugreevahin keenhaa
Raama milaaya raaja pada deenhaa
You did great service for Sugriva,
Presenting him to Ram, you gave him the kingship.

17. Tumharo mantra Bibheeshana maanaa
Lankeshwara bhaye saba jaga jaanaa
Vibhishana heeded your counsel
And became the Lord of Lanka, as the whole world knows.

18. Yuga sahasra yojana para bhaanu
Leelyo taahi madhura phala jaanu
Though the sun is thousands of miles away,
You swallowed it, thinking it to be a sweet fruit.

19. Prabhu mudrikaa meli mukha maaheen
Jaladhi laanghi gaye acharaja naaheen
Holding the Lord’s ring in your mouth
It’s no surprise that you leapt over the ocean.

20. Durgama kaaja jagata ke jete
Sugama anugraha tumhare tete
Every difficult task in this world
Becomes easy by your grace.

21. Raama duaare tuma rakhawaare
Hota na aagyaa binu paisaare
You are the guardian at Ram’s door,
No one enters without your leave.

22. Saba sukha lahai tumhaaree sharanaa
Tuma rakshaka kaahu ko daranaa
Those who take refuge in you find all happiness
and those who you protect know no fear.

23. Aapana teja samhaaro aapai
Teenon loka haanka ten kaanpai
You alone can withstand your own splendor,
The three worlds tremble at your roar.

24. Bhoota pisaacha nikata nahin aawai
Mahaabeera jaba naama sunaawai
Ghosts and goblins cannot come near,
Great Hero, when your name is uttered.

25. Naasai roga hare saba peeraa
Japata nirantara Hanumata beeraa
All disease and pain is eradicated,
Brave Hanuman, by constant repetition of your name.

26. Sankata ten Hanumaana churaawai
Mana krama bachana dhyaana jo laawai
Hanuman releases from affliction
those who remember him in thought word and deed.

27. Saba para Raama tapaswee raajaa
Tina ke kaaja sakala tuma saajaa
Ram, the ascetic, reigns over all,
but you carry out all his work.

28. Aura manorata jo koee laawai
Soee amita jeewana phala paawai
One who comes to you with any yearning
obtains the abundance of the Four Fruits of Life.

29. Chaaron juga parataapa tumhaaraa
Hai parasidha jagata ujiyaaraa
Your splendor fills the four ages
your glory is renowned throughout the world.

30. Saadhu santa ke tuma rakhawaare
Asura nikandana Raama dulaare
You are the guardian of saints and sages,
the destroyer of demons and the darling of Ram.

31. Ashta siddhi nau nidhi ke daataa
Asa bara deena Jaanakee Maataa
You grant the eight powers and the nine treasures
by the boon you received from Mother Janaki.

32. Raama rasaayana toomhare paasaa
Sadaa raho Raghupati ke daasaa
You hold the elixir of Ram’s name
and remain eternally his servant.

33. Tumhare bhajana Raama ko paawai
Janama janama ke dukha bisaraawai
Singing your praise, one finds Ram
and escapes the sorrows of countless lives.

34. Anta kaala Raghubara pura jaaee
Jahaan janama Hari bhakta kahaaee
At death one goes to Ram’s own city
or is born on the earth as God’s devotee.

35. Aura devataa chitta na dharaaee
Hanumata se-ee sarva sukha karaee
Give no thought to any other deity,
worshipping Hanuman, one gains all delight.

36. Sankata katai mite saba peeraa
Jo sumire Hanumata bala beeraa
All affliction ceases and all pain is removed
by remembering the mighty hero, Hanuman.

37. Jai jai jai Hanumaana Gosaaee
Kripaa karahu gurudeva kee naaee
Victory, Victory, Victory to Lord Hanuman!
Bestow your grace on me, as my Guru!

38. Jo sata baara paata kara koee
Chootahi bandi mahaa sukha hoee
Whoever recites this a hundred times
is released from bondage and gains bliss.

39. Jo yaha parai Hanumaana chaleesaa
Hoya siddhi saakhee Gaureesaa
One who reads this Hanuman Chaleesa
gains success, as Gauri’s Lord (Shiva) is witness.

40. Tulasee Daasa sadaa Hari cheraa
Keejai naata hridaya mahan deraa
Says Tulsi Das, who always remains Hari’s servant:
“Lord, make your home in my heart.”

Pawanatanaya sankata harana mangala moorati roopa
Raama Lakhana Seetaa sahita hridaya basahu sura bhoopa
Son of the Wind, destroyer of sorrow, embodiment of blessing,
Live in my heart, King of Gods, together with Ram, Lakshman and Sita.

My Favorite Versions of the Hanuman Chalisa

These are my favorite versions of the Hanuman Chalisa.