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Lyrics with meaning
The complete Hanuman 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.
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज, निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि। बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु, जो दायकु फल चारि॥
Shri Guru charana saroja raja, nija manu mukuru sudhari. Baranau Raghubara bimala jasu, jo dayaku phala chari.
Tulsidas opens by taking the dust of his Guru's lotus feet, as if to polish the mirror of his own mind. He then begins to tell the pure glory of Lord Ram – the kind of glory that grants the four fruits of life: dharma, artha, kama, and moksha.
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके, सुमिरौं पवन कुमार। बल बुधि बिद्या देहु मोहिं, हरहु कलेस बिकार॥
Buddhi-hina tanu janike, sumirau Pavana Kumara. Bala buddhi vidya dehu mohi, harahu kalesa bikara.
Knowing his own weakness of body and mind, Tulsidas turns to Pavanaputra (Hanuman, son of the wind) and asks for three gifts: strength, intelligence, and knowledge. He also asks for the removal of inner troubles.
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर। जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर॥
Jaya Hanumana jnana guna sagara. Jaya Kapisa tihu loka ujagara.
Hail Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue. Hail king of monkeys, who lights up all three worlds. The very first verse sets out Hanuman's universal greatness.
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा। अंजनि पुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥
Rama duta atulita bala dhama. Anjani putra Pavanasuta nama.
Ram's messenger and home of matchless strength. Son of Anjana, also called Pavanaputra (son of the wind). His parentage spans both heaven and earth.
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी। कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥
Mahabira bikrama bajarangi. Kumati nivara sumati ke sangi.
Mighty hero, full of valour, with a body strong as a thunderbolt – which is what 'Bajrangi' means (vajra-anga). He removes wrong thinking and is the steady friend of clear judgement.
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा। कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा॥
Kanchana barana biraja subesa. Kanana kundala kunchita kesa.
His skin is golden, his form well-dressed, with earrings in his ears and curly hair – the way avatars are described in the Awadh tradition.
हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजे। काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजे॥
Hatha bajra au dhvaja biraje. Kaandhe muja janeu saje.
In one hand he holds the vajra (a thunderbolt mace) and in the other a flag. The sacred thread (janeu) of twisted munja grass rests on his shoulder.
शंकर सुवन केसरी नंदन। तेज प्रताप महा जग बंदन॥
Shankara suvana Kesari nandana. Teja pratapa maha jaga bandana.
Son of Shankara (one tradition holds that Hanuman is a form of Shiva himself, born through Vayu) and son of Kesari. His glow and majesty are loved across the world.
विद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर। राम काज करिबे को आतुर॥
Vidyavana guni ati chatura. Rama kaja karibe ko atura.
Wise, full of virtue, very clever, and always eager to do Ram's work. This is the inner character that gives the outer strength its direction.
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया। राम लखन सीता मन बसिया॥
Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiya. Rama Lakhana Sita mana basiya.
He loves to hear the stories of his Lord. Ram, Lakshman, and Sita live inside his heart – the three are with him at all times.
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा। बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा॥
Sukshma rupa dhari Siyahi dikhava. Bikata rupa dhari Lanka jarava.
He took a tiny form to show himself to Sita in the Ashoka grove. He took a fierce form to burn Lanka. Both are scenes from the Sundara Kanda of the Ramayana.
भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे। रामचंद्र के काज सँवारे॥
Bhima rupa dhari asura sahare. Ramachandra ke kaja savare.
He took a giant form to slay the demons. He carried out all of Ramachandra's work – doing whatever the moment of service called for.
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये। श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये॥
Laya sajivana Lakhana jiyaye. Shri Raghubira harashi ura laye.
He brought the Sanjeevani herb and brought Lakshman back to life. Hearing this, Sri Raghubira (Ram) joyfully held him to his chest – one of the most loved moments in the Ramayana.
रघुपति कीन्हीं बहुत बड़ाई। तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई॥
Raghupati kinhi bahuta badai. Tuma mama priya Bharatahi sama bhai.
Ram praised him deeply and said: you are dear to me as my own brother Bharat. The status this single line gives Hanuman is unmatched in the whole Ramayana.
सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं। अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं॥
Sahasa badana tumharo jasa gavai. Asa kahi Shripati kantha lagavai.
Even Sheshnag with his thousand mouths would sing your praises forever, said Sri Ram, and he embraced Hanuman to his heart.
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा। नारद सारद सहित अहीसा॥
Sanakadika Brahmadi munisa. Narada Sarada sahita ahisa.
The four mind-born sons of Brahma (Sanaka and others), Brahma himself, the great sages, Narada, Saraswati, and the king of serpents (Sheshnag)...
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते। कबि कोबिद कहि सकें कहाँ ते॥
Jama Kubera Digapala jahaa te. Kabi kobida kahi saken kahaa te.
...Yama, Kubera, the guardians of all directions, poets and learned scholars – none of them can fully describe Hanuman's glory.
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा। राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा॥
Tuma upakara Sugrivahi kinha. Rama milaya raja pada dinha.
You did the great favour of getting Sugriva back his kingdom. You brought him to Ram and helped him return to the throne of Kishkindha.
तुम्हरो मंत्र बिभीषण माना। लंकेश्वर भए सब जग जाना॥
Tumharo mantra Bibhishana mana. Lankeshvara bhae saba jaga jana.
Vibhishana took your advice and crossed over to Ram's side. He then became the king of Lanka, as the whole world knows.
जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानू। लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू॥
Juga sahasra jojana para Bhanu. Lilyo tahi madhura phala janu.
As a child you leapt at the sun – many thousands of yojanas away – thinking it was a sweet fruit. The famous childhood scene that makes the Chalisa loved by children too.
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं। जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं॥
Prabhu mudrika meli mukha mahi. Jaladhi laghi gaye achharaja nahi.
Holding Lord Ram's signet ring in your mouth, you crossed the great ocean to reach Lanka. No surprise, says the verse, given who you are.
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते। सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते॥
Durgama kaja jagata ke jete. Sugama anugraha tumhare tete.
Whatever hard task there is in this world becomes easy through your grace. People often chant just this one line as a mantra during difficulty.
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे। होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे॥
Rama duare tuma rakhavare. Hota na ajna binu paisare.
You guard the gate of Ram's house. None enters without your permission. Hanuman is the keeper of the doorway into Ram-bhakti itself.
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना। तुम रच्छक काहू को डर ना॥
Saba sukha lahai tumhari sarana. Tuma rachhaka kahu ko dara na.
All happiness is found in taking shelter in you. With you as protector, there is no fear of anyone – this is the verse devotees turn to in moments of anxiety.
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै। तीनों लोक हाँक तें काँपै॥
Apana teja samharo apai. Tinou loka haka te kapai.
You alone can hold your own splendour in check. Just your roar makes all three worlds shake – an image of strong, controlled power.
भूत पिशाच निकट नहिं आवै। महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै॥
Bhuta pishacha nikata nahi avai. Mahabira jaba nama sunavai.
Ghosts and harmful spirits cannot come near where the name of Mahabira (the great hero, Hanuman) is heard. This is why the Chalisa is recited at night and when entering a new home.
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा। जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा॥
Nasai roga harai saba pira. Japata nirantara Hanumata bira.
Diseases go away and pain lifts for those who keep chanting the brave Hanumat. This is a verse of devotional faith, not a replacement for medical care.
संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै। मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै॥
Sankata te Hanumana chhudavai. Mana krama bachana dhyana jo lavai.
Hanuman frees the devotee from troubles – those who turn to him through mind, action, and word, with steady attention.
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा। तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा॥
Saba para Rama tapasvi raja. Tina ke kaja sakala tuma saja.
Above all is Lord Ram, the austere king. You arrange every single one of his tasks, faultlessly.
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै। सोई अमित जीवन फल पावै॥
Aura manoratha jo koi lavai. Soi amita jivana phala pavai.
Whoever brings any other wish to you receives endless fruit in this life. The Chalisa here speaks plainly to worldly wishes, not only to spiritual ones.
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा। है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा॥
Charou juga paratapa tumhara. Hai parasiddha jagata ujiyara.
Your glory shines through all four ages (yugas). Your light is well-known and brightens the entire world.
साधु संत के तुम रखवारे। असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे॥
Sadhu santa ke tuma rakhavare. Asura nikandana Rama dulare.
You are the protector of saints and seekers. You destroy demons. Beloved of Lord Ram.
अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता। अस बर दीन जानकी माता॥
Ashta siddhi nau nidhi ke data. Asa bara dina Janaki mata.
You are the giver of the eight siddhis (spiritual perfections) and the nine nidhis (treasures). This boon was given to you by Mother Janaki herself, in the Ramayana.
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा। सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा॥
Rama rasayana tumhare pasa. Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa.
You hold the essence of Ram's name (Rama-rasayana). You stay forever the servant of Raghupati (the Lord of the Raghu line).
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै। जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै॥
Tumhare bhajana Rama ko pavai. Janama janama ke dukha bisaravai.
Through your bhajan, devotees reach Lord Ram. The sorrows gathered across many lifetimes are forgotten.
अंत काल रघुबर पुर जाई। जहाँ जन्म हरिभक्त कहाई॥
Anta kala Raghubara pura jai. Jaha janma Hari-bhakta kahai.
At the end of life, the devotee goes to Ram's eternal city. And wherever they are born next, they are known as a Hari-bhakta – a devotee of the Lord.
और देवता चित्त न धरई। हनुमत सेइ सर्व सुख करई॥
Aura devata chitta na dharai. Hanumata sei sarva sukha karai.
There is no need to hold any other deity in mind. Worshipping Hanuman, all forms of happiness come – this is the verse most often misread; it is not about rejecting other gods, it is about complete surrender.
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा। जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥
Sankata katai mitai saba pira. Jo sumirai Hanumata balabira.
All troubles are cut. All pain goes away. For those who remember the strong, brave Hanumat with attention.
जै जै जै हनुमान गोसाईं। कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं॥
Jai Jai Jai Hanumana gosai. Kripa karahu gurudeva ki nai.
Hail, hail, hail Hanuman, Lord of all. Give your grace the way a guru gives it to a disciple.
जो शत बार पाठ कर कोई। छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई॥
Jo shata bara patha kara koi. Chhutahi bandi maha sukha hoi.
Whoever recites the Chalisa one hundred times is freed from bondage and finds great joy. A specific promise from inside the text itself – the basis of the 100-paath anushthan tradition.
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा। होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा॥
Jo yaha padhai Hanumana Chalisa. Hoya siddhi sakhi Gaurisa.
Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa attains success – and Lord Shiva (Gaurisa, the Lord of Gauri) himself stands as witness to this.
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा। कीजै नाथ हृदय महँ डेरा॥
Tulasidasa sada Hari chera. Kijai natha hridaya maha dera.
Tulsidas, ever the servant of Hari, signs his name in the closing chaupai with one simple request: O Lord, make a home in my heart.
पवनतनय संकट हरन, मंगल मूरति रूप। राम लखन सीता सहित, हृदय बसहु सुर भूप॥
Pavanatanaya sankata harana, mangala murati rupa. Rama Lakhana Sita sahita, hridaya basahu sura bhupa.
Son of the wind, remover of troubles, the form of all that is good – live in my heart together with Ram, Lakshman, and Sita. The Chalisa ends with the same direct, intimate request that began it.
Why this chalisa
What the Hanuman Chalisa is recited for, and what people turn to it for.
Builds inner courage
Verses 22 and 25 in particular – "all who take shelter fear nothing"; "diseases go away, pain lifts" – are what people turn to when fear or anxiety takes hold. The Chalisa works less as an outside charm and more as a daily reminder of where strength is to be found.
Eases difficult periods
Saturdays are offered to Hanuman because he is said to soften the heavier effects of Shani for his devotees. Many recite the Chalisa daily during Shani sade sati or other long stretches of trouble – not as a way to cancel astrology, but as inner calm.
Builds daily discipline
At seven minutes a day, the Chalisa is short enough to keep up over years. The fixed form gives the day a sacred start and a structure that does not drift with mood or schedule.
Path to Ram-bhakti
Verse 33 makes the deeper purpose of the Chalisa clear: through Hanuman's bhajan, the devotee reaches Ram. The Chalisa is, in Tulsidas's design, a doorway into Ram-bhakti itself.
Giver of the eight siddhis and nine nidhis
Verse 31 names the boon Sita gave Hanuman in the Ramayana – the power to give the eight spiritual gifts and nine treasures. People recite the Chalisa for both worldly fruit and inner fruit; the text does not separate the two.
Protection from harmful energies
Verse 24 – "ghosts and harmful spirits run away when his name is heard" – is why the Chalisa is recited at night, in new homes, before journeys, and anywhere a sense of disturbance is felt. Bajrang Baan is the stronger protection invocation drawn from the same lineage.
Origin
The Hanuman Chalisa was written by Goswami Tulsidas in the late 16th century in Awadhi, the kind of Hindi spoken across the Awadh region of north India. Tulsidas – also the author of the Ramcharitmanas, the Vinaya Patrika, and the Ram Chalisa – wrote the Hanuman Chalisa as a forty-verse hymn in praise of Hanuman, whom he saw as the perfect devotee of Lord Ram and the most direct way into Ram-bhakti.
A popular tradition holds that Tulsidas wrote the Chalisa during a period in prison under the rule of Akbar, to show the protective power of Hanuman's name. Whether or not the historical detail is literal, the legend captures something real – the experience of millions of devotees over five centuries that these verses, when recited with attention, give courage when fear strikes. The Chalisa is found in handwritten copies dating to the seventeenth century, which puts Tulsidas's authorship on solid ground.
Hanuman himself, son of Vayu (the wind god) and Anjana, stands for devotion, strength, and selfless service. In the Valmiki Ramayana and Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas, he is Ram's most faithful companion – the one who crosses the ocean to find Sita, burns Lanka, brings the Sanjeevani herb to revive Lakshman, and stands forever at Ram's gate. He is also one of the Chiranjivis (the seven who never die in Hindu tradition) and is said to be present wherever the Ramayana is recited.
The Chalisa's wider companions are Bajrang Baan (a stronger protection invocation), Sankatmochan Hanumanashtak (an eight-verse hymn for crisis removal, also by Tulsidas), and Hanuman Bahuk (recited for bodily pain, especially in the arms and joints). All four texts share Tulsidas's lineage, but the Chalisa alone has crossed over from ritual use into universal household practice.
How to recite
A simple, sustainable approach. Nothing here is a hard rule – devotion shapes the form, not the other way around.
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Preparation
Bathe and wear clean clothes if you can. Sit in a clean space facing east, or facing your home altar if you have one. A small diya with mustard or sesame oil and a few red flowers are the usual offerings if you have them – but neither is required. The Chalisa was written for everyone, with or without samagri. Many people recite it at work, on trains, and during travel.
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Posture and start
Sit cross-legged on the floor on a mat, or in a chair, with your spine comfortably straight. Bow once. Take a moment of silence to settle the mind. Begin with the two opening dohas, slowly and clearly. Saying it out loud has its own merit because the sound itself is an offering, but silent reciting works just as well in offices and public places.
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Recitation
Move through the forty chaupais without rushing. The verses have a steady rhythm; let the rhythm carry you rather than reading word by word. End with the closing doha. The full recitation takes about seven minutes spoken aloud at a comfortable pace. Devotion matters more than perfect pronunciation – Tulsidas wrote in Awadhi precisely because it was the everyday language of his region, not Sanskrit kept aside for scholars.
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After
Sit quietly for a moment with eyes closed. Many people end with 'Ram Sita Ram' or 'Jai Bajrangbali.' If you have a wish or a difficulty in mind, mentally offer the punya of the recitation toward it before getting up. Some traditions add a closing line of namaskar to one's own guru and family deity (kuldevta).
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Daily practice
One paath a day – morning or evening – is enough for a steady daily practice. Tuesdays and Saturdays are especially auspicious. For specific wishes, traditions suggest 7, 11, 21, 41, or 108 paaths over a fixed period. Verse 38 itself promises that 100 recitations free the devotee from bondage and bring great joy. For severe difficulties, some pair the Chalisa with the Bajrang Baan on Tuesdays.