Hanuman Chalisa: the complete text with english translation
“Every time I experience negativity in the world, and in myself, every time I encounter jealousy, rage, and frustration manifesting as violation and violence, I hear, or read, the Hanuman Chalisa… As verse follows verse, my frightened, crumpled mind begins to expand with knowledge and insight, and my faith in humanity, both within and without, is restored.” — Devdutt Pattanaik
Introduction
The Hanuman Chalisa is, without doubt, the most popular Hindu devotional hymn and one of the most powerful prayers and meditations of humanity. It is widely believed that chanting the Chalisa invokes Hanuman’s divine intervention amidst grave problems and challenges.
The Hanuman Chalisa was authored in the Awadhi language by Tulsidas, a poet-saint who lived in the 16th century. This holy work consists of forty-three verses – two introductory couplets (dohas), forty quatrains (chaupais), and one concluding couplet in the end.
Hanuman is an ardent devotee of Ram and one of the central characters in the renowned Hindu epic, the Ramayana. Numerous folk tales acclaim the virtues and supernatural powers of Hanuman. Recitation or chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa is a common spiritual practice among people all around India. Being the most popular hymn in praise of Hanuman, the Hanuman Chalisa is recited by millions of Hindus every day, both in good times and bad.
The Text With Translation
Shri guru charan saroja-raj nija manu mukura sudhaari.
Baranau Raghubara Bimala Jasu jo dayaka phala chari.
Having cleansed the mirror of my mind with the pollen-dust of my Guru’s lotus feet, I recite the holy, unblemished glory of the greatest of the Raghu dynasty (Ram), the bestower of the four fruits of life.
Buddhi-heen tanu janikay sumirow Pavanakumara.
Bala-buddhi bidya dehoo mohee harahu klesha vikaara.
Being fully aware of the lack of my intelligence, I pray to you the son of Pavan, the Wind God (Hanuman). I humbly ask you to grant me strength, intelligence and knowledge and take away all my afflictions and shortcomings.
. . .
Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar.
Jai Kapish tihun lok ujagar. [1]
Victory to Hanuman, the ocean of wisdom and virtue.
Victory to the supreme amongst the monkeys, the illuminator of three worlds.
Ram doot atulit bala dhama.
Anjani-putra Pavan-sut nama. [2]
Trusted emissary of Ram, reservoir of limitless strength. Son of Anjani (mother), also renowned as ‘the Son of the Wind’ (divine father).
Mahabir Bikram Bajrangi.
Kumati nivar sumati ke sangi. [3]
Mighty warrior, valiant and brave, strong as a thunderbolt.
Dispeller of evil thoughts, and a forever companion of goodness and wisdom.
Kanchan baran biraj subesa.
Kanan kundal kunchit kesa. [4]
Golden-hued, splendidly dressed.
Adorned with earrings, have long curly locks.
Hath vajra aur dhvaja biraje.
Kaandhe moonj janehu sajai. [5]
In your hands, you hold a divine mace and a victory flag.
A sacred thread of munja grass adorns your shoulder.
Sankar suvan Kesari nandan.
Tej prataap maha jag bandan. [6]
The incarnation of Shankar (Lord Shiva), son of Kesari.
Being ever effulgent, your glory is revered by the whole world.
Vidyavaan guni ati chatur.
Ram kaj karibe ko aatur. [7]
Knowledgable, virtuous, and incredibly astute.
Ever eager to perform Ram’s tasks.
Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiya.
Ram Lakhan Sita man basiya. [8]
You enjoy listening to tales of Lord (Ram).
Ram, Lakshman, and Sita dwell in your heart.
Sukshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhava.
Vikat roop dhari Lank jarava. [9]
In a tiny, subtle form, you appeared before Sita.
In a giant, formidable form, you burned Lanka.
Bhima roop dhari asur sanghare.
Ramachandra ke kaj sanvare. [10]
You assumed a massive, dreadful form to vanquish demons.
You skillfully accomplished all tasks that Ramchandra assigned to you.
Laye Sanjivan Lakhan jiyaye.
Shri Raghuvir harashi ur laye. [11]
You brought the Sanjivani herb and saved Lakshman’s life.
Brave scion of the Raghu clan (Ram) cheerfully embraced you with his heart full of joy.
Raghupati kinhi bahut badai.
Tum mam priye Bharat-hi-sam bhai. [12]
Ram showered praises on you.
‘You are as dear to me as my brother Bharat.’
Sahas badan tumharo jasa gaave.
Asa-kahi Shripati kanth lagaave. [13]
‘May thousands of living beings sing hymns of your glory.’
Saying thus, Ram affectionately hugged you.
Sankaadik Brahmaadi munisa.
Narada-Sarad sahita Aheesa. [14]
Sanak and other sages, Brahma, and the holy saints.
Narada, Saraswati, along with the King of serpents.
Jam Kubera Digpaal jahan te.
Kavi kovid kahi sake kahan te. [15]
Yama, Kubera, and other guardians of the directions.
Poets as well as scholars—no one can truly express your magnificence.
Tum upkar Sugrivahin keenha.
Ram milaye rajpad deenha. [16]
You did Sugriv a great favor.
You introduced him to Ram and helped him secure the royal throne.
Tumharo mantra Vibhishan maana.
Lankeshwar bhaye sab jag jana. [17]
Vibhishan heeded your advice.
And became the king of Lanka, this the whole world knows.
Jug sahastra jojan par Bhanu.
Leelyo tahi madhur phal janu. [18]
The distant sun, thousands of miles away.
You swallowed it, thinking it to be a sweet, luscious fruit.
Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahee.
Jaladhi langhi gaye achraj nahee. [19]
With Lord’s ring in your mouth.
You easily leaped across the ocean—no surprise in that!
Durgam kaj jagath ke jete.
Sugam anugraha tumhre tete. [20]
All difficult tasks in this world.
Become easy with your grace.
Ram dwaare tum rakhvare.
Hoat na agya binu paisare. [21]
You are the gatekeeper of Ram’s abode.
No one can enter it without your permission.
Sub sukh lahae tumhari sarna.
Tum rakshak kahu ko darna. [22]
All happiness and comforts lie in your shelter.
With you as protector, there is nothing to fear.
Aapan tej samharo aapai.
Teenhon lok hank te kanpai. [23]
You alone can contain your magnificent radiance.
All the three worlds tremble when you roar.
Bhoot pisaach nikat nahin aavai.
Mahabir jab naam sunavae. [24]
Ghosts and demons dare not come near.
When one speaks your name, mighty warrior.
Nase rog harae sab peera.
Japat nirantar Hanumat Beera. [25]
Diseases get eradicated, all kinds of pain and suffering disappear.
When one continuously chants the name of brave Hanuman.
Sankat te Hanuman chhudavae.
Man, kram, vachan dhyan jo lavai. [26]
Hanuman rescues from all crises and hardships.
When one’s thoughts, deeds, and words are grounded in him.
Sab par Ram tapasvee raja.
Tin ke kaj sakal tum saja. [27]
Ram, the hermit-king is supreme and reigns over all.
And it’s you who executes all his tasks.
Aur manorath jo koi lavai.
Sohi amit jeevan phal pavai. [28]
Whoever approaches you with heartfelt desires.
That person receives the eternal fruit of life.
Chaaron jug partap tumhara.
Hai persidh jagat ujiyara. [29]
Your glory spans across four eras.
Your fame radiates all over the world.
Sadhu sant ke tum rakhvare.
Asur nikandan Ram dulare. [30]
You are the guardian of sages and saints.
You are the destroyer of demons and very dear to Ram.
Ashta-sidhi nav-nidhi ke data.
As bar deen Janki mata. [31]
You bestow eight mystical powers and nine divine treasures.
As per the boon granted to you by Mother Janki (Sita).
Ram rasayan tumhare pasa.
Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa. [32]
You possess the essence of devotion to Ram.
May you always remain the humble servant of the lord of Raghu clan (Ram).
Tumhare bhajan Ram ko pavai.
Janam-janam ke dukh bisraavai. [33]
By singing your praises, one obtains Ram.
And sorrows accumulated over past lives are dissolved.
Ant-kaal Raghubar pur jayee.
Jahan janma Hari-bhakt kahayee. [34]
At the time of death, one goes to Ram’s divine abode.
And thereafter for eternity, he is known as a devotee of Hari (Ram).
Aur devta chitta na dharai.
Hanumat se hi sarba sukh karai. [35]
One need not meditate on any other deity.
Serving Hanuman alone gives all happiness and bliss.
Sankat kate mite sab peera.
Jo sumirai Hanumat Balbeera. [36]
All troubles cease, all pain goes away.
When one remembers Hanuman, the mighty hero.
Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosain.
Kripa karahu Gurudev ki nyahin. [37]
Hail, Hail, Hail Hanuman, Lord of senses,
Please shower your grace as my supreme guru (teacher).
Jo sat bar path kar koi.
Chhutehi bandhi maha sukh hoyi. [38]
Whoever recites this hymn a hundred times.
Becomes free from bondage and attains eternal bliss.
Jo yeh padhe Hanuman Chalisa.
Hoye siddhi sakhi Gaureesa. [39]
Whoever reads these forty verses of Hanuman.
Achieves all his desires, Gauri’s lord (Shiva) bears witness to it.
Tulsidas sada Hari chera.
Keejai Nath hriday mein dera. [40]
Tulsidas, an eternal servant of Hari (Ram).
Prays that the Lord reside in his heart.
. . .
Pavan tanay sankat harana mangala murati roop.
Ram Lakhana Sita sahita hriday basahu sur bhoop.
The son of Pavan (the Wind God), the remover of all miseries, the embodiment of auspiciousness.
The chief among all deities, please dwell in my heart forever along with Ram, Lakshman, and Sita.
If you enjoyed this translation, do check out my book Hanuman Chalisa: A New Translation.
The aim of this book is to offer a renewed understanding of this beautiful, soul-enhancing hymn in the form of simple, concise, and easy-to-read meditations. Every meditation has been crafted to give you the essence of Tulsidas's message in each verse of this sacred song.
No words can describe the bliss and joy a person feels when they read, recite, chant, sing, and/or listen to Hanuman Chalisa on a daily basis. This book will enhance your experience and understanding of this amazing hymn, and serve you for years to come.
Get your copy today!
