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Lyrics with meaning
The complete Khatu Shyam 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.
श्री गुरु चरण ध्यान धर, सुमिरि सच्चिदानन्द। श्याम चालीसा भणत हूँ, रच चौपाई छंद॥
Shri guru charan dhyan dhar, sumari Sachchidanand. Shyam Chalisa bhanat hun, rach chaupai chhand.
Holding the guru's feet in meditation, remembering the eternal-conscious-blissful one. I now recite the Shyam Chalisa, composing the chaupai metre.
श्याम श्याम भजि बारम्बारा। सहज ही हो भवसागर पारा॥
Shyam Shyam bhaji barambara. Sahaj hi ho bhav-sagar para.
Chant 'Shyam, Shyam' again and again. Easily one crosses the ocean of worldly existence.
इन सम देव न दूजा कोई। दीन दयालु न दाता होई॥
In sam dev na duja koi. Deen dayalu na data hoi.
There is no other god equal to him. No other so kind to the helpless, no other such giver.
भीम सुपुत्र अहिलवती जाया। कहीं भीम का पौत्र कहाया॥
Bhim suputra Ahilavati jaya. Kahin Bhim ka pautra kahaya.
Born to Ahilavati, son of Bhima's son (Ghatotkacha). Sometimes called the grandson of Bhima.
यह सब कथा सही कल्पान्तर। तनिक न मानों इसमें अन्तर॥
Yah sab katha sahi kalpantar. Tanik na manon isme antar.
All these stories are true, in different kalpas. Do not consider any difference between them.
बर्बरीक विष्णु अवतारा। भक्तन हेतु मनुज तनु धारा॥
Barbarik Vishnu avtara. Bhaktan hetu manuj tanu dhara.
Barbarika is an avatar of Vishnu. He took human form for the sake of his devotees.
वसुदेव देवकी प्यारे। यशुमति मैया नन्द दुलारे॥
Vasudev Devaki pyare. Yashumati maiya Nand dulare.
Beloved son of Vasudev and Devaki. Beloved of mother Yashoda and Nanda.
मधुसूदन गोपाल मुरारी। बृजकिशोर गोवर्धन धारी॥
Madhusudan Gopal Murari. Braj-kishor Govardhan dhari.
Madhusudan, Gopal, Murari. Youth of Braj, lifter of Govardhan.
सियाराम श्री हरि गोविन्दा। दीनपाल श्री बाल मुकन्दा॥
Siyaram Shri Hari Govinda. Deenpal Shri Bal Mukunda.
Siyaram, Shri Hari, Govinda. Protector of the helpless, Shri Bal Mukunda.
दामोदर रणछोड़ बिहारी। नाथ द्वारिकाधीश खरारी॥
Damodar Ranchhod Bihari. Nath Dwarikadhish Khrari.
Damodar, Ranchhod, Bihari. Lord, the king of Dwarka, slayer of Khara.
नरहरि रूप प्रहलाद प्यारा। खम्भ फारि हिरनाकुश मारा॥
Narhari roop Prahlad pyara. Khambh phari Hiranakush mara.
Narasimha form, beloved of Prahlad. Tearing the pillar, slaying Hiranyakashipu.
राधा वल्लभ रुक्मिणी कंता। गोपी वल्लभ कंसा हनंता॥
Radha Vallabh Rukmini Kanta. Gopi Vallabh Kansa hananta.
Beloved of Radha, husband of Rukmini. Beloved of the gopis, slayer of Kamsa.
मनमोहन चित्तचोर कहाये। माखन चोरि चोरि कर खाये॥
Manmohan chitt-chor kehaye. Makhan chori chori kar khaye.
He is called Manmohan, the heart-stealer. Stealing butter, he stole and ate.
मुरलीधर यदुपति घनश्याम। कृष्ण पतितपावन अभिरामा॥
Murlidhar Yadupati Ghanshyam. Krishna patit-pavan abhirama.
Holder of the flute, lord of the Yadus, dark-cloud-coloured. Krishna, purifier of the fallen, the beautiful one.
मायापति लक्ष्मीपति ईसा। पुरुषोत्तम केशव जगदीश॥
Mayapati Lakshmipati Isa. Purushottam Keshav Jagdish.
Lord of maya, lord of Lakshmi, the Lord. Purushottam, Keshav, Jagdish.
विश्वपति त्रिभुवन उजियारा। दीन बन्धु भक्तन रखवारा॥
Vishvapati tribhuvan ujiyara. Deen bandhu bhaktan rakhwara.
Lord of the universe, light of the three worlds. Friend of the helpless, protector of devotees.
प्रभु का भेद कोई न पाया। शेष महेश थके मुनियारा॥
Prabhu ka bhed koi na paya. Shesh Mahesh thake muniyara.
The secret of the Lord no one has fathomed. Sheshnaag, Mahesh, and the sages all tire trying.
नारद शारद ऋषि योगिन्दर। श्याम श्याम सब रटत निरन्तर॥
Narad Sharad rishi yogindar. Shyam Shyam sab ratat nirantar.
Narad, Saraswati, sages, and yogendras. All chant 'Shyam, Shyam' continuously.
करि कोविद करि सके न गिनन्ता। नाम अपार अथाह अनन्ता॥
Kari kovid kari sake na ginanta. Naam apar athaah ananta.
Even the wise cannot count them. Your names are countless, unfathomable, infinite.
हर सृष्टि हर युग में भाई। ले अवतार भक्त सुखदाई॥
Har srishti har yug mein bhai. Le avtar bhakt sukh-dai.
In every creation, in every yuga, brother. He takes avatar for the joy of devotees.
हृदय माँहि करि देखु विचारा। श्याम भजे तो हो निस्तारा॥
Hriday mahin kari dekhu vichara. Shyam bhaje to ho nistara.
Reflect deeply within your heart. If you chant Shyam, you will be delivered.
कीर पढ़ावत गणिका तारी। भीलनी की भक्ति बलिहारी॥
Keer padhavat ganika tari. Bhilani ki bhakti balihari.
By a parrot's recitation, the courtesan was liberated. The Bhilani's (Shabari's) devotion is matchless.
सती अहिल्या गौतम नारी। भई श्राप वश शिला दुखारी॥
Sati Ahilya Gautam nari. Bhai shrap vash shila dukhari.
Sati Ahalya, wife of Gautam. By a curse, she became a sorrowful stone.
श्याम चरण रज नित लाई। पहुँची पतिलोक में जाई॥
Shyam charan raj nit lai. Pahunchi patilok mein jai.
Receiving the dust of Shyam's feet daily. She reached her husband's loka.
अजामिल अरु सदन कसाई। नाम प्रताप परम गति पाई॥
Ajamil aru Sadan Kasai. Naam pratap param gati pai.
Ajamila and Sadan the butcher. By the power of the name, attained the highest state.
जाके श्याम नाम अधारा। सुख लहहि दुःख दूर हो सारा॥
Jake Shyam naam adhara. Sukh lahahi dukh door ho sara.
Whoever takes the name of Shyam as their support. Receives all happiness; all sorrow goes away.
श्याम सुलोचन है अति सुन्दर। मोर मुकुट सिर तन पीताम्बर॥
Shyam sulochan hai ati sundar. Mor mukut sir tan pitambar.
Shyam is most beautiful, with lovely eyes. Peacock crown on his head, yellow silk on his body.
गल वैजयन्तिमाल सुहाई। छवि अनूप भक्तन मन भाई॥
Gal Vaijantimal suhai. Chhavi anoop bhaktan man bhai.
The Vaijanti garland adorns his neck. His incomparable form delights the devotee's heart.
श्याम श्याम सुमिरहु दिनराती। शाम दुपहरि अरु परभाती॥
Shyam Shyam sumirahu dinrati. Sham dupahari aru parbhati.
Remember 'Shyam, Shyam' day and night. In evening, midday, and morning.
श्याम सारथी जिसके रथ के। रोड़े दूर होय उस पथ के॥
Shyam sarathi jiske rath ke. Rode door hoy us path ke.
Whoever has Shyam as the charioteer. The obstacles fall away from their path.
श्याम भक्त न कहीं पर हारा। भीर परि तब श्याम पुकारा॥
Shyam bhakt na kahin par hara. Bhir pari tab Shyam pukara.
The devotee of Shyam never loses anywhere. When trouble comes, call out to Shyam.
रसना श्याम नाम पी ले। जी ले श्याम नाम के हाले॥
Rasana Shyam naam pi le. Ji le Shyam naam ke hale.
Tongue, drink the name of Shyam. Live in the swing of the name of Shyam.
संसारी सुख भोग मिलेगा। अन्त श्याम सुख योग मिलेगा॥
Sansari sukh bhog milega. Ant Shyam sukh yog milega.
You will receive worldly pleasures. And in the end, the joy of union with Shyam.
श्याम प्रभु हैं तन के काले। मन के गोरे भोले भाले॥
Shyam Prabhu hain tan ke kale. Man ke gore bhole bhale.
Shyam Prabhu is dark in body. But fair-hearted, simple, and honest within.
श्याम संत भक्तन हितकारी। रोग दोष अघ नाशै भारी॥
Shyam sant bhaktan hitkari. Rog dosh agh nashai bhari.
Shyam is the benefactor of saints and devotees. He destroys heavy disease, fault, and sin.
प्रेम सहित जे नाम पुकारा। भक्त लगत श्याम को प्यारा॥
Prem sahit je naam pukara. Bhakt lagat Shyam ko pyara.
Whoever calls his name with love. The devotee becomes dear to Shyam.
खाटू में है मथुरा वासी। पार ब्रह्म पूरण अविनासी॥
Khatu mein hai Mathura-vasi. Paar Brahma puran avinasi.
In Khatu now resides the dweller of Mathura. The supreme Brahman, complete, indestructible. (The central verse identifying Khatu Shyam as Krishna of Mathura.)
सुधा तान भरि मुरली बजाई। चहुं दिशि नाना जहाँ सुनि पाई॥
Sudha taan bhari murli bajai. Chahun dishi nana jahan suni pai.
He played the flute filled with nectar-tones. People in every direction heard it everywhere.
वृद्ध बाल जेते नारी नर। मुग्ध भये सुनि वंशी के स्वर॥
Vridhha bal jete nari nar. Mugdh bhaye suni vanshi ke svar.
Old, young, all the women and men. Were enchanted hearing the notes of the flute.
दौड़ दौड़ पहुँचे सब जाई। खाटू में जहां श्याम कन्हाई॥
Daud daud pahunche sab jai. Khatu mein jahan Shyam Kanhai.
Running, running, all reached. Khatu, where Shyam Kanhai resides.
जिसने श्याम स्वरूप निहारा। भव भय से पाया छुटकारा॥
Jisne Shyam svaroop nihara. Bhav bhay se paya chhutkara.
Whoever beheld Shyam's form. Was freed from the fear of worldly existence.
श्याम सलोने साँवरे, बर्बरीक तनु धार। इच्छा पूर्ण भक्त की, करो न लाओ बार॥
Shyam salone sanware, Barbarik tanu dhar. Iccha puran bhakt ki, karo na lao baar.
Lovely dark-bodied Shyam, who took on the form of Barbarika. Fulfil the desire of the devotee, do not delay.
Why this chalisa
What the Khatu Shyam Chalisa is recited for, and what people turn to it for.
Anchor for the Phalgun Mela yatra
The Phalgun Mela at Khatu Dham (February-March) is the largest Khatu Shyam festival – ten days of pilgrimage culminating on Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi-Dvadashi. Up to 50 lakh devotees gather. Many recite the Chalisa eleven times during the long climb to the temple from Reengus or Sikar.
Daily anchor for kuldevta worship
Khatu Shyam is the kuldevta of countless families across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, and Gujarat. Many homes recite the Chalisa as the first prayer of the day, often paired with the Krishna Chalisa (Khatu Shyam is Krishna himself, verse 36 establishes this).
"Hare ka sahara" – the support of the defeated
Khatu Shyam is famously known as Hare ka Sahara – the support of the defeated. The story behind the title: Barbarika asked Krishna for the boon of being worshipped on the side of the loser in any battle, and Krishna granted it, blessing him to be honoured even in defeat. Many devotees recite the Chalisa daily during stretches of life's losses – business setbacks, court matters, illness in the family, marriage delays, exam failures. The teaching is that turning to Khatu Shyam returns the household to the steady ground from which the difficulty can be faced.
Companion to Krishna and Salasar Balaji
Verse 36 establishes Khatu Shyam as Krishna himself; the Krishna Chalisa is the natural pair. Many Rajasthan households also include Salasar Balaji (Hanuman) and Mehandipur Balaji in the same regional yatra-circuit – all four (Khatu, Salasar, Mehandipur, Mansa Devi) are visited together by many families during a single Rajasthan dham yatra.
Help during major life decisions
Many devotees keep a vow of visiting Khatu Dham within a year of receiving any major boon – job, marriage, child, business success. The Chalisa is the daily anchor through the waiting period. The phrase "Hari Bole, Khatu Wale" – the call "Hari speaks, the one of Khatu" – is the Khatu Shyam devotee's greeting.
Companion to the wider Vaishnava tradition
The Chalisa names Krishna's many forms across verses 7-15 (Madhusudan, Gopal, Murari, Damodar, Ranchhod, Bihari, Dwarkadhish, Narasimha, Radhavallabh, Manmohan, Murlidhar, Yadupati, Ghanshyam, Patit-pavan, Mayapati, Lakshmipati, Purushottam, Keshav, Jagdish, Vishvapati). This makes the Chalisa a complete Vaishnava primer – pairs naturally with the Vishnu Chalisa on Thursdays.
Origin
The Khatu Shyam Chalisa carries no clear signature line. Many published copies attribute it simply to "tradition" – an honesty worth preserving. The Khatu Dham temple itself dates to the 17th century; the murti was discovered in the 18th-19th century by a Marwari farmer, and the present temple was built in 1720 with major expansions through the 19th and 20th centuries. The Chalisa is generally placed in this period, written in simple Hindi accessible to the rural Rajasthan and Haryana households where Khatu Shyam is the kuldevta of countless families.
Khatu Shyam himself is identified in the tradition as Barbarika – the brave grandson of Bhima, son of Ghatotkacha (Bhima's son by the Rakshasi Ahilavati/Hidimba). The Mahabharata story tells of Barbarika as the warrior who could destroy the entire war in a moment with three magical arrows, but who – when asked by Krishna who he would fight for – said he would fight for the losing side. Recognising that this would mean Barbarika would have to fight Krishna himself, Krishna asked for Barbarika's head as a guru-dakshina before the war. Barbarika offered it willingly, asking only to witness the entire war from a high vantage point. Krishna granted the boon, placing Barbarika's head atop a hill from where he watched the eighteen-day Mahabharata. After the war, Krishna granted Barbarika the further boon of being worshipped in the Kaliyug as Shyam – Krishna's own name – at the place where his head fell. That place is Khatu, in Sikar district, Rajasthan.
Khatu Shyam is also identified theologically with Krishna himself. Verse 36 of the Chalisa names this directly: "Khatu mein hai Mathura-vasi" – the Mathura-dweller now resides at Khatu. Verses 7-15 of the Chalisa name Krishna's many forms (Madhusudan, Gopal, Damodar, Ranchhod, Govinda, Mukunda, etc.), embedding Khatu Shyam fully within the wider Vaishnava tradition. The murti at Khatu Dham is famously a "head-only" image – reflecting the Barbarika story – with the iconography of a youth with peacock crown, kohl-darkened eyes, and the murli (flute) carved at the side.
The Chalisa's wider companions are the Krishna Chalisa (Khatu Shyam is Krishna himself), the Salasar Balaji Chalisa (the major Hanuman temple in Rajasthan, paired in regional yatras), the Hanuman Chalisa (paired in any Vaishnava household), and the Vishnu Chalisa (the cosmic form).
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 – traditionally yellow or saffron, the colours of Krishna. Sit facing east or facing the direction of Khatu Dham (north-west of most of India). The traditional offerings are peda or laddu bhog (the standard Khatu Shyam prasad), tulsi leaves, a small ghee diya, mauli thread, and any flower.
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Posture and start
Sit cross-legged on a mat with your spine comfortably straight. Bow once with the call "Hari Bole, Khatu Wale". Take a moment of silence. If reciting on Phalgun Ekadashi, on Janmashtami, or for a major life intention (job, marriage, business, illness recovery), offer a brief sankalp.
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Recitation
Move through the forty chaupais without rushing. Verses 3-7 narrate Barbarika's identity. Verses 7-15 list Krishna's many names. Verses 21-24 name the classical 'lost devotees' who Krishna saved (the courtesan, Shabari, Ahalya, Ajamila, Sadan the butcher) – often slowed down by devotees who feel themselves in similar straits. Verse 36 is the central identification with Mathura. End with the closing doha. The full recitation takes about seven minutes.
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After
Sit quietly with eyes closed for a moment. Many devotees end with the bija mantra Om Klim Krishnaya Govindaya Gopijanvallabhaya Svaha recited 11 or 21 times. Offer the peda or laddu as bhog and take a small portion as prasad.
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Daily practice and special days
One paath a day is enough for steady daily practice. Sundays are auspicious. The Phalgun Mela in February-March is the major festival – devotees who cannot travel to Khatu often recite 11 or 21 paaths through Phalgun Ekadashi-Dvadashi. Janmashtami, Holi, and any major Krishna festival are also recitation days. Before any major life decision, many devotees keep a 41-day daily Chalisa nem with a vow to undertake the Khatu yatra after the boon is received.