Hanuman Chalisa

Doha (Opening Couplets)

श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज, निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि। बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु, जो दायकु फल चारि॥

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

Transliteration: Shri Guru Charan Saroj Raj, Nij Manu Mukuru Sudhaari, Baranau Raghubar Bimal Jasu, Jo Dayaku Phal Chaari.

Buddhiheen Tanu Janike, Sumirau Pavan-Kumar, Bal Buddhi Vidya Dehu Mohi, Harahu Kalesh Vikaar.

Meaning: Cleansing the mirror of my mind with the dust of my Guru’s lotus feet, I narrate the pure glory of Lord Rama, the giver of the four fruits of life. Knowing my body and intellect to be limited, I remember the son of the Wind God (Hanuman) — grant me strength, wisdom, and knowledge, and remove my afflictions and flaws.

Chaupai (Forty Verses)

जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर। जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर॥ राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा। अंजनि पुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥

महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी। कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥ कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा। कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा॥

हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै। काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजै॥ संकर सुवन केसरीनंदन। तेज प्रताप महा जग वंदन॥

विद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर। राम काज करिबे को आतुर॥ प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया। राम लखन सीता मन बसिया॥

सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा। बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा॥ भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे। रामचंद्र के काज सँवारे॥

लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये। श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये॥ रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई। तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई॥

सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं। अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं॥ सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा। नारद सारद सहित अहीसा॥

जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते। कवि कोविद कहि सके कहाँ ते॥ तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा। राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा॥

तुम्हरो मंत्र बिभीषन माना। लंकेश्वर भए सब जग जाना॥ जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानू। लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू॥

प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं। जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं॥ दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते। सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते॥

राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे। होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे॥ सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना। तुम रच्छक काहू को डर ना॥

आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै। तीनों लोक हाँक तें काँपै॥ भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै। महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै॥

नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा। जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा॥ संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै। मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै॥

सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा। तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा॥ और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै। सोइ अमित जीवन फल पावै॥

चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा। है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा॥ साधु संत के तुम रखवारे। असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे॥

अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता। अस बर दीन जानकी माता॥ राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा। सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा॥

तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै। जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै॥ अंत काल रघुबर पुर जाई। जहाँ जन्म हरिभक्त कहाई॥

और देवता चित्त न धरई। हनुमत सेइ सर्ब सुख करई॥ संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा। जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥

जय जय जय हनुमान गोसाईं। कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं॥ जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई। छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई॥

जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा। होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा॥ तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा। कीजै नाथ हृदय महँ डेरा॥

Doha (Closing Couplet)

पवनतनय संकट हरन, मंगल मूरति रूप। राम लखन सीता सहित, हृदय बसहु सुर भूप॥

Transliteration: Pavantanay Sankat Haran, Mangal Murati Roop, Ram Lakhan Sita Sahit, Hriday Basahu Sur Bhoop.

Meaning: O son of the Wind God, remover of troubles, embodiment of auspiciousness — please reside in my heart, along with Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita.

English Translation, Chaupai by Chaupai

1. Victory to Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue; victory to the King of monkeys, illuminator of the three worlds. You are Rama’s messenger, an abode of matchless strength, known as the son of Anjani and the Wind God (Pavanasuta).
2. Great hero, mighty and valorous, dispeller of evil thought and companion of good sense. Golden-hued and gloriously adorned, with earrings in your ears and curly hair.
3. You hold a mace and a flag in your hands; a sacred thread of munja grass adorns your shoulder. Son of Shiva, delight of Kesari — your glory and power are revered throughout the world.
4. Wise, virtuous, and highly skilled, you are ever eager to perform Rama’s work. You delight in hearing of the Lord’s deeds; Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita dwell in your heart.
5. Taking a tiny form, you appeared before Sita; taking a fearsome form, you burned Lanka. Taking a colossal form, you destroyed the demons and accomplished Rama’s tasks.
6. You brought the Sanjeevani herb and revived Lakshmana; Rama embraced you with joy. Raghupati praised you greatly, saying: “You are as dear to me as my brother Bharata.”
7. “May a thousand mouths sing your glory,” said the Lord of Lakshmi (Rama), embracing you close. Sanaka and the other sages, Brahma and the gods, Narada, Saraswati, and the great serpent Shesha —
8. — Yama, Kubera, the guardians of the directions, poets and scholars — none can fully describe your glory. You did great good for Sugriva, uniting him with Rama and restoring his kingdom.
9. Vibhishana accepted your counsel, and so became known throughout the world as king of Lanka. You swallowed the sun, thousands of yojanas away, mistaking it for a sweet fruit.
10. Carrying the Lord’s ring in your mouth, you leapt across the ocean — no wonder at all. Every difficult task in this world becomes easy through your grace.
11. You stand guard at Rama’s door; none may enter without your permission. All who take refuge in you find happiness; under your protection, there is nothing to fear.
12. You alone can contain your own power; the three worlds tremble at your roar. Ghosts and evil spirits dare not come near one who utters the name of the mighty hero.
13. All illness and pain are destroyed for one who constantly chants your name, brave Hanuman. You rescue from every trouble those who remember you in thought, word, and deed.
14. Rama, the great ascetic king, reigns above all — yet you accomplished all his tasks. Whoever comes to you with any wish attains fulfillment beyond measure.
15. Your glory shines through all four ages; it is celebrated and radiant throughout the world. You are the protector of saints and sages, destroyer of demons, beloved of Rama.
16. You grant the eight siddhis and nine nidhis — this boon was given to you by Mother Janaki (Sita). You hold the elixir of devotion to Rama; may you remain forever the servant of Raghupati.
17. Through devotion to you, one attains Rama, and the sorrows of countless lifetimes are forgotten. At the end of life, one goes to Rama’s abode, and is born thereafter as a devotee of Hari.
18. There is no need to worship any other deity; serving Hanuman alone brings complete happiness. All troubles vanish and all pain is removed for one who remembers the mighty and valiant Hanuman.
19. Victory, victory, victory to Hanuman, Lord! Bestow your grace upon me, as a Guru would. Whoever recites this chalisa a hundred times is freed from bondage and attains great joy.
20. Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa attains success — Shiva (Gaurisha) himself is witness to this. Tulsidas, ever a servant of Hari, prays: “O Lord, please make your home within my heart.”

Hanuman Chalisa in English, Hindi, and transliteration

Many readers search for the Hanuman Chalisa in English because they want to understand the prayer before learning to recite the Hindi verses. Reading the Devanagari original, transliteration, and English meaning together is a strong study method. The Hindi preserves the devotional sound and poetic rhythm; transliteration helps a beginner pronounce the words; and the English translation explains the stories and qualities being praised.

Do not treat the translation as a replacement for the original. Some Hindi devotional words carry several layers of meaning, and a literal English sentence may not express the emotional or theological context. Read the verse slowly, compare the translation with the explanation, and return to the Devanagari when you are ready to practise pronunciation.

How to recite Hanuman Chalisa correctly

Choose a quiet time when you can read without rushing. Many devotees recite on Tuesday or Saturday, while others include the Hanuman Chalisa in a daily morning or evening routine. These customs are meaningful but not compulsory. Sit comfortably, keep a diya only where it is safe, and begin with a moment of respect for Hanuman, Rama, Sita, and the tradition through which the hymn reached you.

Break the text into the opening doha, groups of chaupais, and the closing doha. Listen to a reliable recitation to learn the rhythm, then repeat one or two lines at a time. It is normal for pronunciation to improve gradually. A sincere recitation with attention is more valuable than a hurried count done only to complete a target.

Meaning and traditional benefits

The Chalisa presents Hanuman as strong but humble, fearless but disciplined, and powerful because his ability is offered in service to Rama. Devotees traditionally turn to the hymn for courage, protection, steadiness, and help in facing obstacles. These are spiritual and devotional associations, not guarantees of a medical, financial, legal, or psychological outcome. Prayer can support reflection and hope, while practical difficulties still deserve qualified practical help.

The hymn’s stories also offer a model for daily conduct. Hanuman listens before acting, remembers his purpose in danger, uses different forms according to the situation, and returns success to Rama rather than claiming it for himself. A reader can carry these themes into ordinary life by speaking truthfully, serving without seeking applause, controlling anger, and helping someone who is vulnerable.

Frequently asked questions

How many verses are in the Hanuman Chalisa?

The central Chalisa contains forty chaupais, along with opening and closing dohas. The word chalisa comes from chalis, meaning forty.

Can I read the Hanuman Chalisa in English?

Yes. English meaning is helpful for understanding, while Hindi text and transliteration support pronunciation and preserve the prayer’s original form. Studying all three together is recommended for beginners.

Is Hanuman Chalisa recitation only for Tuesday and Saturday?

No. Those days are especially associated with Hanuman in many communities, but the hymn may be recited on any day. Choose a regular time that allows attention and respect.

What does the Hanuman Chalisa teach?

It praises wisdom, strength, devotion, humility, courage, service, and the ability to overcome fear without abandoning ethical responsibility.