Sacred Text · Awadhi Hindi
Hanuman Chalisa
About this Chalisa
The Hanuman Chalisa was composed by the devotee-poet Tulsidas (c. 1532–1623 CE) in Awadhi Hindi — the same literary Awadhi he used for the Ramcharitmanas. The chalisa was likely composed during Tulsidas's residence in Varanasi and has been transmitted through an unbroken oral and manuscript tradition. It begins with two dohas invoking the Guru and Hanuman as Pavankumar (Son of the Wind), then moves through forty chaupais cataloguing Hanuman's divine qualities and great deeds — from the burning of Lanka to the rescue of Lakshman — before closing with a doha requesting Hanuman's permanent presence in the devotee's heart. The Gita Press, Gorakhpur edition (widely considered the standard recension) is the basis of the text presented here.
Opening Dohas
Doha 1
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि। बरनऊँ रघुबर बिमल जसु जो दायकु फल चारि॥
Shri Guru Charan Saroj Raj Nij Manu Mukuru Sudhari. Barnau Raghubar Bimal Jasu Jo Dayaku Phala Chari.
Meaning:Cleansing the mirror of my mind with the dust from my Guru's lotus feet, I narrate the pure glory of Shri Ram, which bestows the four fruits of life.
Doha 2
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार। बल बुधि बिद्या देहु मोहिं हरहु कलेस बिकार॥
Buddhiheen Tanu Jaanike Sumirau Pavan Kumar. Bal Budhi Vidya Dehu Mohi Harahu Kales Bikaar.
Meaning:Knowing myself to be ignorant, I remember You, O Son of the Wind. Grant me strength, wisdom, and knowledge, and remove my afflictions and blemishes.
40 Chaupais — The Forty Verses
Chaupai 1
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर। जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर॥
Jai Hanuman Gyan Gun Sagar. Jai Kapis Tihu Lok Ujagar.
Meaning:Victory to Hanuman, the ocean of wisdom and virtue. Victory to the Lord of monkeys, who illuminates all three worlds.
Chaupai 2
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा। अंजनि-पुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥
Ram Doot Atulat Bal Dhama. Anjani Putra Pavansut Nama.
Meaning:O messenger of Ram, You are the abode of incomparable strength. Son of Anjani, You are known as the Son of the Wind.
Chaupai 3
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी। कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥
Mahabeer Bikram Bajrangi. Kumati Nivar Sumati Ke Sangi.
Meaning:You are the great hero, mighty and strong as a thunderbolt. Remover of evil thoughts, companion of the virtuous.
Chaupai 4
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा। कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा॥
Kanchan Baran Biraj Subesa. Kanan Kundal Kunchit Kesa.
Meaning:Your complexion is golden, and You are beautifully dressed. You wear earrings and have curly hair.
Chaupai 5
हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजे। काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजे॥
Hath Bajra Au Dhwaja Biraje. Kandhe Muj Janeu Saje.
Meaning:In Your hands shine the thunderbolt and the flag. A sacred thread of Munja grass adorns Your shoulder.
Chaupai 6
संकर सुवन केसरीनंदन। तेज प्रताप महा जग बंदन॥
Sankar Suvan Kesarinandan. Tej Pratap Maha Jag Bandan.
Meaning:Son of Shiva and delight of Kesari. Your radiance and glory are revered throughout the world.
Chaupai 7
विद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर। राम काज करिबे को आतुर॥
Vidyawan Guni Ati Chatur. Ram Kaj Karibe Ko Aatur.
Meaning:You are learned, virtuous, and exceedingly clever. Ever eager to do the work of Ram.
Chaupai 8
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया। राम लखन सीता मन बसिया॥
Prabhu Charitra Sunibe Ko Rasiya. Ram Lakhan Sita Man Basiya.
Meaning:You delight in hearing the glory of the Lord. Ram, Lakshman, and Sita dwell in Your heart.
Chaupai 9
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा। बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा॥
Sukshma Roop Dhari Siyahi Dikhawa. Bikat Roop Dhari Lanka Jarava.
Meaning:Assuming a tiny form, You appeared before Sita. Taking a terrible form, You set Lanka ablaze.
Chaupai 10
भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे। रामचंद्र के काज सँवारे॥
Bheem Roop Dhari Asur Sanhare. Ramchandra Ke Kaj Sanware.
Meaning:Assuming a fearsome form, You slaughtered the demons. You accomplished all of Shri Ram's tasks.
Chaupai 11
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये। श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये॥
Laay Sajeevan Lakhan Jiyaye. Shri Raghubeer Harashi Ur Laye.
Meaning:Bringing the life-giving herb Sanjeevani, You revived Lakshman. Shri Ram embraced You joyfully.
Chaupai 12
रघुपति कीन्हीं बहुत बड़ाई। तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई॥
Raghupati Kinhee Bahut Badai. Tum Mam Priya Bharatahi Sam Bhai.
Meaning:Shri Ram praised You greatly, saying "You are as dear to Me as My brother Bharat."
Chaupai 13
सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं। अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं॥
Sahas Badan Tumharo Jas Gaave. As Kahi Shripati Kanth Lagave.
Meaning:"The thousand-headed serpent sings Your glory." So saying, Shri Ram embraced You.
Chaupai 14
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा। नारद सारद सहित अहीसा॥
Sanakadik Brahmadi Munisa. Narad Sarad Sahit Ahisa.
Meaning:Sanaka and other sages, Brahma and other gods, Narad, Saraswati, and the king of serpents —
Chaupai 15
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते। कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहाँ ते॥
Jam Kuber Digpal Jahan Te. Kabi Kobid Kahi Sake Kahan Te.
Meaning:Yama, Kubera, the guardians of the directions — neither poets nor the learned can fully describe Your glory.
Chaupai 16
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा। राम मिलाय राजपद दीन्हा॥
Tum Upkar Sugriwahi Kinha. Ram Milay Rajpad Dinha.
Meaning:You did a great service to Sugriva — united him with Ram and restored his kingdom.
Chaupai 17
तुम्हरो मंत्र विभीषण माना। लंकेस्वर भए सब जग जाना॥
Tumharo Mantra Vibheeshan Mana. Lankeshwar Bhaye Sab Jag Jana.
Meaning:Vibhishana heeded Your counsel. He became the lord of Lanka — this the whole world knows.
Chaupai 18
जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानु। लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू॥
Yug Sahastra Yojan Par Bhanu. Lilyo Tahi Madhur Phal Janu.
Meaning:The sun, thousands of yojanas away — You swallowed it, thinking it a sweet fruit.
Chaupai 19
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं। जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं॥
Prabhu Mudrika Meli Mukh Mahin. Jaladhi Langhi Gaye Acharaj Nahin.
Meaning:Holding the Lord's ring in Your mouth, You leapt across the ocean. No wonder in this!
Chaupai 20
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते। सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते॥
Durgam Kaj Jagat Ke Jete. Sugam Anugrah Tumhare Tete.
Meaning:All the difficult tasks of this world become easy by Your grace.
Chaupai 21
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे। होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे॥
Ram Duware Tum Rakhware. Hot Na Aagya Bin Paisare.
Meaning:You guard the door of Ram's abode. None may enter without Your permission.
Chaupai 22
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना। तुम रच्छक काहू को डर ना॥
Sab Sukh Lahai Tumhari Sarna. Tum Rachak Kahu Ko Dar Na.
Meaning:All joys are found in Your shelter. When You are the protector, there is no fear.
Chaupai 23
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै। तीनों लोक हाँक तें काँपै॥
Apan Tej Samharo Apai. Teeno Lok Hank Te Kanpe.
Meaning:You alone can contain Your own power. At Your roar, all three worlds tremble.
Chaupai 24
भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै। महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै॥
Bhoot Pisach Nikat Nahin Aave. Mahaveer Jab Nam Sunawe.
Meaning:Ghosts and evil spirits cannot come near when the name of the great hero Hanuman is chanted.
Chaupai 25
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा। जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा॥
Nase Rog Harai Sab Pira. Japat Nirantar Hanumat Bira.
Meaning:All diseases are destroyed and all pains removed for one who continuously chants the name of the brave Hanuman.
Chaupai 26
संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै। मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै॥
Sankat Te Hanuman Chhudave. Man Kram Bachan Dhyan Jo Lave.
Meaning:Hanuman frees from afflictions those who meditate on Him in thought, deed, and word.
Chaupai 27
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा। तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा॥
Sab Par Ram Tapasvi Raja. Tin Ke Kaj Sakal Tum Saja.
Meaning:Ram, the ascetic king, reigns over all. You accomplish every task of His.
Chaupai 28
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै। सोइ अमित जीवन फल पावै॥
Aur Manorath Jo Koi Lave. Soi Amit Jeevan Phal Pave.
Meaning:Whoever brings any desire before You obtains the abundant fruit of life.
Chaupai 29
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा। है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा॥
Charo Yug Partap Tumhara. Hai Parsiddh Jagat Ujiyara.
Meaning:Your glory pervades all four ages. Your fame illuminates the world.
Chaupai 30
साधु संत के तुम रखवारे। असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे॥
Sadhu Sant Ke Tum Rakhware. Asur Nikandan Ram Dulare.
Meaning:You are the guardian of saints and sages. You destroy demons and are the beloved of Ram.
Chaupai 31
अष्टसिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता। अस बर दीन्ह जानकी माता॥
Ashta Siddhi Nau Nidhi Ke Data. As Bar Dinh Janaki Mata.
Meaning:You can grant the eight mystic powers and nine treasures. Such a boon was bestowed upon You by Mother Janaki (Sita).
Chaupai 32
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा। सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा॥
Ram Rasayan Tumhare Pasa. Sada Raho Raghupati Ke Dasa.
Meaning:You hold the elixir of Ram's name. Always remain the servant of Shri Ram.
Chaupai 33
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै। जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै॥
Tumhare Bhajan Ram Ko Pave. Janam Janam Ke Dukh Bisrave.
Meaning:Through devotion to You, one attains Ram. The sorrows of many lifetimes are forgotten.
Chaupai 34
अन्त काल रघुबर पुर जाई। जहाँ जन्म हरि-भक्त कहाई॥
Ant Kal Raghubar Pur Jai. Jahan Janam Hari Bhakt Kahai.
Meaning:At the end of life, one goes to Ram's abode. Wherever born next, one is called a devotee of Hari.
Chaupai 35
और देवता चित्त न धरई। हनुमत सेइ सर्ब सुख करई॥
Aur Devata Chit Na Dharai. Hanumat Sei Sarb Sukh Karai.
Meaning:Even without worshipping other gods, all joys are obtained through serving Hanuman.
Chaupai 36
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा। जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥
Sankat Kate Mite Sab Pira. Jo Sumirai Hanumat Balvira.
Meaning:All calamities are cut away and all pains erased for one who remembers the mighty brave Hanuman.
Chaupai 37
जय जय जय हनुमान गोसाईं। कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं॥
Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosain. Kripa Karahu Gurudev Ki Nai.
Meaning:Victory, victory, victory to Lord Hanuman! Please bestow Your mercy like a Guru.
Chaupai 38
जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई। छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई॥
Jo Sat Bar Path Kar Koi. Chhutahi Bandi Maha Sukh Hoi.
Meaning: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 Yah Padhai Hanuman Chalisa. Hoy Siddhi Sakhi Gaurisa.
Meaning:Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa, Lord Shiva is witness, attains perfection.
Chaupai 40
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा। कीजे नाथ हृदय मह डेरा॥
Tulsidas Sada Hari Chera. Kije Nath Hriday Mah Dera.
Meaning:Tulsidas is always the servant of Hari. O Lord, make Your abode in my heart.
Closing Doha
Doha 3
पवनतनय संकट हरन मंगल मूरति रूप। राम लखन सीता सहित हृदय बसहु सुर भूप॥
Pavan Tanay Sankat Haran Mangal Moorati Roop. Ram Lakhan Sita Sahit Hriday Basahu Sur Bhoop.
Meaning:O Son of the Wind, remover of troubles, embodiment of auspiciousness, dwell in my heart together with Ram, Lakshman, and Sita, O King of Gods.
