The Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa (गजानन महाराज चालीसा) is the household hymn to Sant Gajanan Maharaj. The Chalisa establishes Sant Gajanan Maharaj's iconography, narrative, and devotional connection across 40 chaupais framed by an opening doha and 2 closing doha. Sant Gajanan Maharaj (1878-1910) appeared at Shegaon as a digambar avadhuta; the Shri Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan at Shegaon (Buldhana, Maharashtra) is the central pilgrimage shrine.

Many devotees recite the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa on Magha Vadya Saptami (Pragat Din) & Thursdays, with extra paaths during Pragat Din (Magha Vadya Saptami), Punyatithi (Bhadrapad Shukla Panchami), Thursdays. The Chalisa is the daily anchor for households where Sant Gajanan Maharaj is the kuldevta or ishta-devata. The verses move through praise, narrative, and personal petition – the standard Chalisa structure.

This page has the full Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa with lyrics in Devanagari and Romanized English. Pair with related Chalisas like the Sai Baba Chalisa, Swami Samarth Chalisa, and Manik Prabhu Chalisa for the wider household practice.

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Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa with Lyrics
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Lyrics with meaning

The complete Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – two opening dohas, forty chaupais, and a closing doha. A short English meaning sits below every verse. Toggle the script to read in Devanagari, romanized, or both side-by-side.

Chaupai 1

गजानन महाराज चालीसा

gajanana maharaja chalisa

Verse 1 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 2

अद्भुत कृतियाँ प्रकृति ग्रंथ में, अगणित वर्णित हैं जिनकी ।।

adbhuta krritiya.n prakrriti gramtha mem, aganita varnita haim jinaki ||

Verse 2 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 3

कतिपय कृतियाँ चालीसा में, वर्णन करता मैं उनकी ।।१।।

katipaya krritiya.n chalisa mem, varnana karata maim unaki ||1||

Verse 3 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 4

प्रभो गजानन शरण आपकी, अट़ट सेवा भक्ति मिले ।।

prabho gajanana sharana apaki, ata़ta seva bhakti mile ||

Verse 4 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 5

सौंप दिया यह जीवन सारा, चरण शरण तव शक्ति मिले ।।२।।

saumpa diya yaha jivana sara, charana sharana tava shakti mile ||2||

Verse 5 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 6

माघ महिना कृष्ण सप्तमी, शके अठारह सौ ही था ।।

magha mahina krrishna saptami, shake atharaha sau hi tha ||

Verse 6 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 7

तारीख तेवीस फ़रवरी महीना, वर्ष अठारह अठोत्तर था ।।३।।

tarikha tevisa faravari mahina, varsha atharaha athottara tha ||3||

Verse 7 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 8

प्रगटे थे शेगाँव गाँव में, अंत काल तक वहीं रहे ।।

pragate the shega.nva ga.nva mem, amta kala taka vahim rahe ||

Verse 8 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 9

इसके पहले काशी में थे, दीक्षित सन्यासी रहे ।।४।।

isake pahale kashi mem the, dikshita sanyasi rahe ||4||

Verse 9 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 10

प्रथम बताया अन्न ब्रह्म है, पानी ईश्वर कहाँ नहीं ।।

prathama bataya anna brahma hai, pani ishvara kaha.n nahim ||

Verse 10 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 11

गणिगण कहते करवाते थे, राम भजन भी कहीं कहीं ।।५।।

ganigana kahate karavate the, rama bhajana bhi kahim kahim ||5||

Verse 11 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 12

महाभागवत सुना संत मुख, तुंबे जल ने चकराया ।।

mahabhagavata suna samta mukha, tumbe jala ne chakaraya ||

Verse 12 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 13

जानराव जब मरण तोल थे, चरण तीर्थ से बच पाया ।।६।।

janarava jaba marana tola the, charana tirtha se bacha paya ||6||

Verse 13 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 14

चिलम जली जब बिना आग से, सुना अलौकिक गुण भारी ।।

chilama jali jaba bina aga se, suna alaukika guna bhari ||

Verse 14 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 15

जन समूह तो अपार उमड़ा, दर्शन लेने सुख कारी ।।७।।

jana samuha to apara uma.da, darshana lene sukha kari ||7||

Verse 15 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 16

इनकार किया जब सुनार ने, उसने वैसा फल पाया ।।

inakara kiya jaba sunara ne, usane vaisa phala paya ||

Verse 16 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 17

कान्होला की करी माँग जब, माह पुराना भी आया ।।८।।

kanhola ki kari ma.nga jaba, maha purana bhi aya ||8||

Verse 17 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 18

मन्त्र उजागार हेतु अचानक, विप्र वेद पाठी आए ।।

mantra ujagara hetu achanaka, vipra veda pathi ae ||

Verse 18 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 19

यही भी गुरु की महिमा ही थी, मानो स्वयं बुला लाए ।।9।।

yahi bhi guru ki mahima hi thi, mano svayam bula lae ||9||

Verse 19 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 20

उठ बैठा जब मरा श्वान भी, शुष्क कूप में जल आया ।।

utha baitha jaba mara shvana bhi, shushka kupa mem jala aya ||

Verse 20 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 21

आया जल भी अथाह उसमें, जन समूह बहु चकराया ।।१०।।

aya jala bhi athaha usamem, jana samuha bahu chakaraya ||10||

Verse 21 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 22

भाग गया सारा जन समूह, स्वामीजी तो रहे अड़े ।।

bhaga gaya sara jana samuha, svamiji to rahe a.de ||

Verse 22 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 23

टूट पड़ी मधु मक्खियाँ काँटे, श्वास रोक से निकल पड़े ।।१२।।

tuta pa.di madhu makkhiya.n ka.nte, shvasa roka se nikala pa.de ||12||

Verse 23 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 24

गर्व न आवे निज निज पथ में, अवश्य सिद्धि उसे मिलती ।।

garva na ave nija nija patha mem, avashya siddhi use milati ||

Verse 24 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 25

कमल पत्र सम जग में रहते, शांति संत को तब मिलती ।।१३।।

kamala patra sama jaga mem rahate, shamti samta ko taba milati ||13||

Verse 25 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 26

भास्कर खंडु बड़े भक्त थे, सेवा स्वामी की करते ।।

bhaskara khamdu ba.de bhakta the, seva svami ki karate ||

Verse 26 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 27

अन्य बंधु तो हँसी उड़ाते, हारे पर सतपथ धरते ।।१४।।

anya bamdhu to ha.nsi u.date, hare para satapatha dharate ||14||

Verse 27 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 28

खंडुजी को पुत्र नहीं था, गुरु प्रसाद से पुत्र हुआ ।।

khamduji ko putra nahim tha, guru prasada se putra hua ||

Verse 28 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 29

जेल कष्ट था खंडुजी को, गुरु कृपा से कुछ ना हुआ ।।१५।।

jela kashta tha khamduji ko, guru krripa se kucha na hua ||15||

Verse 29 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 30

स्वामीजी के मुख से निकली, वेद रुचाए घबराए ।।

svamiji ke mukha se nikali, veda ruchae ghabarae ||

Verse 30 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 31

भुसुर भागे ऐसे भागे, निज ग़लती पर पछताये ।।१६।।

bhusura bhage aise bhage, nija galati para pachataye ||16||

Verse 31 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 32

गुरुजी क्या रामदास भी, बालकृष्ण को चकराया ।।

guruji kya ramadasa bhi, balakrrishna ko chakaraya ||

Verse 32 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 33

बाद दिखाकर निज स्वरूप भी, समझ इस भक्तन पाया ।।१७।।

bada dikhakara nija svarupa bhi, samajha isa bhaktana paya ||17||

Verse 33 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 34

रामदास को श्लोक श्रवण कर, गुरु गजानन के मुख से ।।

ramadasa ko shloka shravana kara, guru gajanana ke mukha se ||

Verse 34 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 35

कभी गजनान रामदास के, रूप दिखाए अंतर से ।।१८।।

kabhi gajanana ramadasa ke, rupa dikhae amtara se ||18||

Verse 35 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 36

पुन: स्वप्न में समरथ आए, मेरा रूप गजानन है ।।

puna: svapna mem samaratha ae, mera rupa gajanana hai ||

Verse 36 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 37

कभी ना लाना मन में संशय, समरथ रूप गजानन है ।।१९।।

kabhi na lana mana mem samshaya, samaratha rupa gajanana hai ||19||

Verse 37 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 38

बालापुर में एक गाय थी, सबको भी वह दुख देती ।।

balapura mem eka gaya thi, sabako bhi vaha dukha deti ||

Verse 38 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 39

किसी तरह गुरुजी तक लाए, सबको छूने अब देती ।।२०।।

kisi taraha guruji taka lae, sabako chune aba deti ||20||

Verse 39 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 40

इस आश्रम में रही हमेशा, संतति उसकी अब भी है ।।

isa ashrama mem rahi hamesha, samtati usaki aba bhi hai ||

Verse 40 of the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa – praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj in the Chalisa structure.

Closing Doha

गौरीगिरीश स्तोत्रम् चन्द्रार्धप्रविभासिमस्तकतटौ तन्द्राविहीनौ सदा भक्तौघप्रतिपालने निजतनुच्छायाजितार्कायुतौ ।

gaurigirisha stotram chandrardhapravibhasimastakatatau tandravihinau sada bhaktaughapratipalane nijatanuchchayajitarkayutau |

Closing doha sealing the recitation.

Closing Doha 2

शृङ्गाद्रिस्थविवाहमण्डपगतौ कारुण्यवारान्निधी कल्याणं तनुतां समस्तजगतां गौरीगिरीशौ मुदा ॥१॥ आरती सोमवारची

shrri~ngadristhavivahamandapagatau karunyavarannidhi kalyanam tanutam samastajagatam gaurigirishau muda ||1|| arati somavarachi

Closing doha sealing the recitation.

Why this chalisa

What the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa is recited for, and what people turn to it for.

Daily anchor for Sant Gajanan Maharaj-bhakti

Many homes recite the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa as part of the morning paath. The 40-verse text takes about seven minutes at a comfortable pace and serves as the daily devotional anchor.

For festival days

Magha Vadya Saptami (Pragat Din) & Thursdays and the major Sant Gajanan Maharaj festivals are the central recitation periods. Many devotees do 11 or 21 paaths on these days.

For specific intentions

Many devotees take vows of 11, 21, 41, or 108 paaths over a fixed period for specific intentions – marriage, fertility, illness recovery, court matter. (This is a verse of devotional faith, not a replacement for medical or professional advice.)

Companion to wider tradition worship

Pair with related Chalisas of the same family or sampradaya for the complete daily practice. Sant Gajanan Maharaj (1878-1910) appeared at Shegaon as a digambar avadhuta; the Shri Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan at Shegaon (Buldhana, Maharashtra) is the central pilgrimage shrine

For pilgrim recitation

The Chalisa is recited during pilgrimage to the major Sant Gajanan Maharaj shrines.

For households where Sant Gajanan Maharaj is the kuldevta

For households where Sant Gajanan Maharaj is the family deity, the Chalisa is the daily morning prayer and a central rite during family events.

Origin

The Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa is the household-tradition Chalisa of Sant Gajanan Maharaj. The text is generally placed in the early 20th century CE; many published copies attribute it simply to tradition. Sant Gajanan Maharaj (1878-1910) appeared at Shegaon as a digambar avadhuta; the Shri Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan at Shegaon (Buldhana, Maharashtra) is the central pilgrimage shrine

Sant Gajanan Maharaj is honoured in the wider Hindu tradition with festivals, pilgrimage shrines, and household worship. The Chalisa makes Sant Gajanan Maharaj-bhakti accessible for daily householders without requiring extensive Sanskrit liturgy.

The Chalisa's narrative and iconography establish the central devotional connection. The verses move through praise of Sant Gajanan Maharaj's form and qualities, narrative episodes from popular tradition, and personal petition – the standard Chalisa structure inherited from the Hanuman Chalisa.

The Chalisa's wider companions are Sai Baba Chalisa, Swami Samarth Chalisa, and Manik Prabhu Chalisa. Pair as appropriate for the daily practice.

How to recite

A simple, sustainable approach. Nothing here is a hard rule – devotion shapes the form, not the other way around.

  1. Preparation

    Bathe and wear clean clothes. Sit facing East. Traditional offerings to Sant Gajanan Maharaj: saffron flowers, akshat (rice), fruits, ghee diya, dhoop. Saffron flowers, simple offerings of fruits, dhwaja, vibhuti.

  2. Posture and start

    Sit cross-legged with your spine straight. Bow once. Take a moment of silence. If reciting for a specific intention, offer a brief sankalp.

  3. Recitation

    Move through the chaupais without rushing. Read with attention to the meaning of each verse. Sant Gajanan Maharaj is honoured at the Shegaon Sansthan; pair with daily Gajanan Vijay Granth-paath (the 21-chapter Marathi-tradition narrative).

  4. After

    Sit quietly with eyes closed for a moment. End with the bija mantra of Sant Gajanan Maharaj if known.

  5. Daily practice and special days

    Magha Vadya Saptami (Pragat Din) & Thursdays is auspicious. Pragat Din (Magha Vadya Saptami) and Bhadrapad Shukla Panchami (Punyatithi) are the central festivals.

Common questions

Why is the Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa linked to Magha Vadya Saptami (Pragat Din) & Thursdays?
Magha Vadya Saptami is the day Sant Gajanan Maharaj appeared at Shegaon. Thursdays are the traditional guru-day. Many homes recite the Chalisa as part of the Magha Vadya Saptami (Pragat Din) & Thursdays morning paath.
How many paaths should I do during a vow?
The traditional anushthan counts are 11, 21, 41, or 108 paaths over a fixed period (often 41 days). For daily practice, 1 paath is sufficient. Choose a count that fits your schedule and stick to it for the full period.
Can it help during exams or hard periods?
Many devotees recite it during stretches of difficulty. The Chalisa is a verse of devotional faith and steadying practice; it is not a replacement for medical, legal, or professional advice. Use it alongside the practical work, not instead of it.
How does this differ from the Sai Baba Chalisa, Swami Samarth Chalisa, and Manik Prabhu Chalisa?
Each Chalisa addresses a specific deity. The Gajanan Maharaj Chalisa is dedicated to Sant Gajanan Maharaj. Many homes recite multiple Chalisas across the week – one for each devata as appropriate to the day or family tradition.
Are there restrictions on who can recite?
No. The Chalisa is for everyday recitation by all householders. There is no menstrual restriction in mainstream practice, though some families follow this convention; the Chalisa text itself does not require it.
Does language matter? My pronunciation isn't perfect.
Devotion matters more than perfect pronunciation. The Chalisa is in Hindi, not Sanskrit, which makes it accessible. Reading the romanized version on this page is fine. Many devotees do manasik paath (silent recitation in the heart).
Can I recite silently or while travelling?
Yes. Manasik paath is valid and widely practised. You can do this on the commute, during a long flight, or in any setting where audible recitation isn't appropriate.
Is there a special connection to the temples of Ujjain?
Sri Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan at Shegaon (Buldhana, Maharashtra) is the central pilgrimage; Mahakaleshwar Ujjain has the wider Shaiva-saint tradition connection. Aastha can guide pilgrims with combined Mahakaleshwar-related sequences.

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