The Hanuman Chalisa is a forty-verse hymn to Lord Hanuman, traditionally attributed to Goswami Tulsidas. Devotees chant it for courage, protection, clarity of mind, and devotion to Sri Rama. Below you will find the complete Chalisa in Hindi with clear English meaning for each section.
How to chant
Sit facing east or toward a Hanuman image if you keep one. Begin with a short prayer to Sri Rama and Hanuman. Chant slowly enough to feel each line. Many households recite it on Tuesdays and Saturdays; others read it daily at dawn or dusk. One sincere reading is better than rushed repetition.
Opening Dohas
Hindi
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि।
बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु जो दायकु फल चारि॥
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार।
बल बुधि बिद्या देहु मोहिं हरहु कलेस बिकार॥
English
With the dust of the Guru’s lotus feet I purify the mirror of my mind, and I narrate the pure glory of Raghuvara (Sri Rama), which bestows the four fruits of life.
Knowing myself to be lacking in wisdom, I remember the Son of the Wind. Grant me strength, intelligence, and true knowledge, and remove my afflictions and impurities.
Hanuman Chalisa (40 Chaupais)
1.
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर। जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर॥
Victory to Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue. Victory to the Lord of monkeys, who illuminates the three worlds.
2.
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा। अंजनि-पुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥
You are Rama’s messenger and the abode of immeasurable strength — Anjani’s son, also called the Son of the Wind.
3.
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी। कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥
Great hero, mighty one with limbs like thunderbolt; you dispel evil thought and accompany good understanding.
4.
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा। कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा॥
Golden-hued, splendidly adorned, with earrings in your ears and curly hair.
5.
हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै। काँधे मूँज जनेउ साजै॥
In your hand shine the thunderbolt and the banner; upon your shoulder rests the sacred munja thread.
6.
शंकर सुवन केसरी नंदन। तेज प्रताप महा जग बंदन॥
Offspring of Shankara and delight of Kesari — your radiance and glory are worshipped by the world.
7.
बिद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर। राम काज करिबे को आतुर॥
Learned, virtuous, and exceedingly clever, you are ever eager to accomplish Rama’s work.
8.
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया। राम लखन सीता मन बसिया॥
You delight in hearing the Lord’s story; Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita dwell in your heart.
9.
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा। बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा॥
Assuming a subtle form you appeared before Sita; assuming a fearsome form you burned Lanka.
10.
भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे। रामचंद्र के काज सँवारे॥
Taking a terrible form you destroyed the demons and fulfilled the work of Ramachandra.
11.
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये। श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये॥
Bringing the Sanjivani herb you revived Lakshmana; Sri Raghuvira rejoiced and held you to his heart.
12.
रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई। तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई॥
Raghupati praised you greatly, saying you are as dear to him as brother Bharata.
13.
सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं। अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं॥
“A thousand mouths sing your glory,” so saying, the Lord of Lakshmi embraced you.
14.
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा। नारद सारद सहित अहीसा॥
Sages like Sanaka, Brahma and other great seers, Narada, Sharada, and the serpent-lord —
15.
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते। कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहाँ ते॥
Yama, Kubera, and the guardians of the directions — how can poets and scholars fully describe you?
16.
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा। राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा॥
You helped Sugriva, united him with Rama, and secured for him the royal throne.
17.
तुम्हरो मंत्र बिभीषन माना। लंकेस्वर भए सब जग जाना॥
Vibhishana accepted your counsel and became lord of Lanka — the whole world knows this.
18.
जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानू। लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू॥
The sun, thousands of yojanas away, you swallowed, thinking it a sweet fruit.
19.
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं। जलधि लांघि गये अचरज नाहीं॥
Holding the Lord’s ring in your mouth, you crossed the ocean — no wonder at all.
20.
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते। सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते॥
Whatever difficult tasks there are in the world become easy by your grace.
21.
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे। होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे॥
You are the guardian at Rama’s door; none enters without your leave.
22.
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना। तुम रच्छक काहू को डरना॥
All who take refuge in you obtain happiness; with you as protector, whom should one fear?
23.
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै। तीनों लोक हाँक तें काँपै॥
You alone can contain your own radiance; the three worlds tremble at your roar.
24.
भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै। महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै॥
Ghosts and spirits do not approach when the name of the great hero is recited.
25.
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा। जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा॥
Disease is destroyed and all pain removed for one who continually repeats the name of brave Hanuman.
26.
संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै। मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै॥
Hanuman frees from affliction those who fix mind, deed, and speech in his remembrance.
27.
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा। तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा॥
Over all is Rama, the ascetic king; you arrange all his works.
28.
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै। सोइ अमित जीवन फल पावै॥
Whoever brings any other wish also receives the immeasurable fruit of life.
29.
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा। है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा॥
Your glory spans the four ages; it is renowned and illuminates the world.
30.
साधु संत के तुम रखवारे। असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे॥
You are the protector of saints and sages, destroyer of demons, and beloved of Rama.
31.
अष्टसिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता। अस बर दीन्ह जानकी माता॥
You are the giver of the eight siddhis and nine nidhis — such is the boon Mother Janaki granted.
32.
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा। सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा॥
The essence of Rama is with you; remain forever the servant of Raghupati.
33.
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै। जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै॥
Through your worship one attains Rama and forgets the sorrows of birth after birth.
34.
अंत काल रघुबर पुर जाई। जहाँ जन्म हरिभक्त कहाई॥
At the end of life one goes to Raghuvara’s abode, and wherever born is called a devotee of Hari.
35.
और देवता चित्त न धरई। हनुमत सेइ सर्ब सुख करई॥
Need not fix the mind on other deities — serving Hanuman brings all happiness.
36.
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा। जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥
Affliction is cut away and all pain ends for one who remembers mighty Hanuman.
37.
जय जय जय हनुमान गोसाईं। कृपा करहु गुरु देव की नाईं॥
Victory, victory, victory to Lord Hanuman — grant grace as a divine Guru does.
38.
जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई। छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई॥
Whoever recites this a hundred times is freed from bondage and finds great joy.
39.
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा। होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा॥
Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa attains accomplishment — Lord Shiva is witness.
40.
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा। कीजै नाथ हृदय महँ डेरा॥
Tulsidas is ever Hari’s servant — O Lord, make your dwelling in my heart.
Closing Doha
Hindi
पवनतनय संकट हरन मंगल मूरति रूप।
राम लखन सीता सहित हृदय बसहु सुर भूप॥
English
O Son of the Wind, remover of distress, embodiment of auspiciousness — dwell in my heart together with Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, O king among the gods.
A short note on practice
- Read with attention more than with speed.
- If you are new, begin with one Chalisa a day for forty days.
- Keep the mind on Rama–Hanuman seva, not only on asking for results.
- For meaning-focused study, pair this page with our guide on the importance and benefits of chanting Hanuman Chalisa.
