The Mahaveer Jain Chalisa (महावीर जैन चालीसा) is the household hymn to Bhagwan Mahaveer. The Chalisa establishes Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami's iconography, narrative, and devotional connection across 40 chaupais framed by an opening doha and 2 closing doha. Bhagwan Mahaveer is the 24th Tirthankar; achieved Nirvana on Diwali in 527 BCE; the central founder of Jain dharma in its present form.

Many devotees recite the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa on Mahavir Jayanti & Diwali (Mahavira Nirvana), with extra paaths during Mahavir Jayanti (Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi), Paryushana, Diwali (Mahavira Nirvana). The Chalisa is the daily anchor for households where Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami is the kuldevta or ishta-devata. The verses move through praise, narrative, and personal petition – the standard Chalisa structure.

This page has the full Mahaveer Jain Chalisa with lyrics in Devanagari and Romanized English. Pair with related Chalisas like the Adinath Chalisa, Saraswati Chalisa, and Lakshmi Chalisa for the wider household practice.

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Mahaveer Jain Chalisa with Lyrics
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Lyrics with meaning

The complete Mahaveer Jain 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.

Opening Doha

सिद्ध समूह नमों सदा, अरू सुमरूं अरहन्त। निर आकुल निर्वांच्छ हो, गए लोक के अंत॥

siddha samuha namom sada, aru sumarum arahanta| nira akula nirvamchcha ho, gae loka ke amta||

Opening invocation – salutation to Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami and the framing of the Chalisa-prayer.

Chaupai 1

जय महावीर दया के सागर, जय श्री सन्मति ज्ञान उजागर।

jaya mahavira daya ke sagara, jaya shri sanmati j~nana ujagara|

Verse 1 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 2

शांत छवि मूरत अति प्यारी, वेष दिगम्बर के तुम धारी।

shamta chavi murata ati pyari, vesha digambara ke tuma dhari|

Verse 2 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 3

कोटि भानु से अति छबि छाजे, देखत तिमिर पाप सब भाजे।

koti bhanu se ati chabi chaje, dekhata timira papa saba bhaje|

Verse 3 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 4

महाबली अरि कर्म विदारे, जोधा मोह सुभट से मारे।

mahabali ari karma vidare, jodha moha subhata se mare|

Verse 4 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 5

काम क्रोध तजि छोड़ी माया, क्षण में मान कषाय भगाया।

kama krodha taji cho.di maya, kshana mem mana kashaya bhagaya|

Verse 5 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 6

रागी नहीं नहीं तू द्वेषी, वीतराग तू हित उपदेशी।

ragi nahim nahim tu dveshi, vitaraga tu hita upadeshi|

Verse 6 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 7

प्रभु तुम नाम जगत में सांचा, सुमरत भागत भूत पिशाचा।

prabhu tuma nama jagata mem samcha, sumarata bhagata bhuta pishacha|

Verse 7 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 8

राक्षस यक्ष डाकिनी भागे, तुम चिंतत भय कोई न लागे।

rakshasa yaksha dakini bhage, tuma chimtata bhaya koi na lage|

Verse 8 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 9

महा शूल को जो तन धारे, होवे रोग असाध्य निवारे।

maha shula ko jo tana dhare, hove roga asadhya nivare|

Verse 9 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 10

व्याल कराल होय फणधारी, विष को उगल क्रोध कर भारी।

vyala karala hoya phanadhari, visha ko ugala krodha kara bhari|

Verse 10 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 11

महाकाल सम करै डसन्ता, र्निविष करो आप भगवन्ता।

mahakala sama karai dasanta, rnivisha karo apa bhagavanta|

Verse 11 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 12

महामत्त गज मद को झारै, भगै तुरत जब तुझे पुकारै।

mahamatta gaja mada ko jharai, bhagai turata jaba tujhe pukarai|

Verse 12 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 13

फार डाढ़ सिंहादिक आवै, ताको हे प्रभु तुही भगावै।

phara da.dha simhadika avai, tako he prabhu tuhi bhagavai|

Verse 13 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 14

होकर प्रबल अग्नि जो जारै, तुम प्रताप शीतलता धारै।

hokara prabala agni jo jarai, tuma pratapa shitalata dharai|

Verse 14 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 15

शस्त्र धार अरि युद्ध लड़न्ता, तुम प्रसाद हो विजय तुरन्ता।

shastra dhara ari yuddha la.danta, tuma prasada ho vijaya turanta|

Verse 15 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 16

पवन प्रचण्ड चलै झकझोरा, प्रभु तुम हरौ होय भय चोरा।

pavana prachanda chalai jhakajhora, prabhu tuma harau hoya bhaya chora|

Verse 16 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 17

झार खण्ड गिरि अटवी मांहीं, तुम बिनशरण तहां कोउ नांहीं।

jhara khanda giri atavi mamhim, tuma binasharana taham kou namhim|

Verse 17 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 18

वज्रपात करि घन गरजावै, मूसलधार होय तड़कावै।

vajrapata kari ghana garajavai, musaladhara hoya ta.dakavai|

Verse 18 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 19

होय अपुत्र दरिद्र संताना, सुमिरत होत कुबेर समाना।

hoya aputra daridra samtana, sumirata hota kubera samana|

Verse 19 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 20

बंदीगृह में बँधी जंजीरा, कठ सुई अनि में सकल शरीरा।

bamdigrriha mem ba.ndhi jamjira, katha sui ani mem sakala sharira|

Verse 20 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 21

राजदण्ड करि शूल धरावै, ताहि सिंहासन तुही बिठावै।

rajadanda kari shula dharavai, tahi simhasana tuhi bithavai|

Verse 21 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 22

न्यायाधीश राजदरबारी, विजय करे होय कृपा तुम्हारी।

nyayadhisha rajadarabari, vijaya kare hoya krripa tumhari|

Verse 22 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 23

जहर हलाहल दुष्ट पियन्ता, अमृत सम प्रभु करो तुरन्ता।

jahara halahala dushta piyanta, amrrita sama prabhu karo turanta|

Verse 23 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 24

चढ़े जहर, जीवादि डसन्ता, र्निविष क्षण में आप करन्ता।

cha.dhe jahara, jivadi dasanta, rnivisha kshana mem apa karanta|

Verse 24 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 25

एक सहस वसु तुमरे नामा, जन्म लियो कुण्डलपुर धामा।

eka sahasa vasu tumare nama, janma liyo kundalapura dhama|

Verse 25 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 26

सिद्धारथ नृप सुत कहलाए, त्रिशला मात उदर प्रगटाए।

siddharatha nrripa suta kahalae, trishala mata udara pragatae|

Verse 26 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 27

तुम जनमत भयो लोक अशोका, अनहद शब्दभयो तिहुँलोका।

tuma janamata bhayo loka ashoka, anahada shabdabhayo tihu.nloka|

Verse 27 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 28

इन्द्र ने नेत्र सहस्र करि देखा, गिरी सुमेर कियो अभिषेखा।

indra ne netra sahasra kari dekha, giri sumera kiyo abhishekha|

Verse 28 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 29

कामादिक तृष्णा संसारी, तज तुम भए बाल ब्रह्मचारी।

kamadika trrishna samsari, taja tuma bhae bala brahmachari|

Verse 29 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 30

अथिर जान जग अनित बिसारी, बालपने प्रभु दीक्षा धारी।

athira jana jaga anita bisari, balapane prabhu diksha dhari|

Verse 30 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 31

शांत भाव धर कर्म विनाशे, तुरतहि केवल ज्ञान प्रकाशे।

shamta bhava dhara karma vinashe, turatahi kevala j~nana prakashe|

Verse 31 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 32

जड़-चेतन त्रय जग के सारे, हस्त रेखवत् सम तू निहारे।

ja.da-chetana traya jaga ke sare, hasta rekhavat sama tu nihare|

Verse 32 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 33

लोक-अलोक द्रव्य षट जाना, द्वादशांग का रहस्य बखाना।

loka-aloka dravya shata jana, dvadashamga ka rahasya bakhana|

Verse 33 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 34

पशु यज्ञों का मिटा कलेशा, दया धर्म देकर उपदेशा।

pashu yaj~nom ka mita kalesha, daya dharma dekara upadesha|

Verse 34 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 35

अनेकांत अपरिग्रह द्वारा, सर्वप्राणि समभाव प्रचारा।

anekamta aparigraha dvara, sarvaprani samabhava prachara|

Verse 35 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 36

पंचम काल विषै जिनराई, चांदनपुर प्रभुता प्रगटाई।

pamchama kala vishai jinarai, chamdanapura prabhuta pragatai|

Verse 36 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 37

क्षण में तोपनि बाढि-हटाई, भक्‍तन के तुम सदा सहाई।

kshana mem topani badhi-hatai, bhak{}tana ke tuma sada sahai|

Verse 37 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 38

मूरख नर नहिं अक्षर ज्ञाता, सुमरत पंडित होय विख्याता।

murakha nara nahim akshara j~nata, sumarata pamdita hoya vikhyata|

Verse 38 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 39

करे पाठ चालीस दिन नित चालीसहिं बार। खेवै धूप सुगन्ध पढ़, श्री महावीर अगार॥

kare patha chalisa dina nita chalisahim bara| khevai dhupa sugandha pa.dha, shri mahavira agara||

Verse 39 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 40

जनम दरिद्री होय अरू जिसके नहिं सन्तान। नाम वंश जग में चले होय कुबेर समान॥

janama daridri hoya aru jisake nahim santana| nama vamsha jaga mem chale hoya kubera samana||

Verse 40 of the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami in the Chalisa structure.

Closing Doha

सिद्ध समूह नमों सदा, अरू सुमरूं अरहन्त। निर आकुल निर्वांच्छ हो, गए लोक के अंत॥

siddha samuha namom sada, aru sumarum arahanta| nira akula nirvamchcha ho, gae loka ke amta||

Closing doha sealing the recitation.

Closing Doha 2

मंगलमय मंगल करन, वर्धमान महावीर। तुम चिंतत चिंता मिटे, हरो सकल भव पीर॥

mamgalamaya mamgala karana, vardhamana mahavira| tuma chimtata chimta mite, haro sakala bhava pira||

Closing doha sealing the recitation.

Why this chalisa

What the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa is recited for, and what people turn to it for.

Daily anchor for Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami-bhakti

Many homes recite the Mahaveer Jain 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

Mahavir Jayanti & Diwali (Mahavira Nirvana) and the major Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami 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. Bhagwan Mahaveer is the 24th Tirthankar; achieved Nirvana on Diwali in 527 BCE; the central founder of Jain dharma in its present form

For pilgrim recitation

The Chalisa is recited during pilgrimage to the major Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami shrines.

For households where Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami is the kuldevta

For households where Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami is the family deity, the Chalisa is the daily morning prayer and a central rite during family events.

Origin

The Mahaveer Jain Chalisa is the household-tradition Chalisa of Bhagwan Mahaveer. The text is generally placed in the late 19th to early 20th century CE; many published copies attribute it simply to Jain tradition. Bhagwan Mahaveer is the 24th Tirthankar; achieved Nirvana on Diwali in 527 BCE; the central founder of Jain dharma in its present form

Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami is honoured in the wider Hindu tradition with festivals, pilgrimage shrines, and household worship. The Chalisa makes Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami-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 Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami'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 Adinath Chalisa, Saraswati Chalisa, and Lakshmi 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 Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami: white flowers, akshat (rice), fruits, ghee diya, dhoop. White flowers, simple Jain-tradition offerings (no animal products), pure water.

  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. Mahaveer is honoured by Jains as the 24th and most-recent Tirthankar; recite with the Jain-tradition emphasis on Ahimsa.

  4. After

    Sit quietly with eyes closed for a moment. End with the bija mantra of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami if known.

  5. Daily practice and special days

    Mahavir Jayanti & Diwali (Mahavira Nirvana) is auspicious. Mahavir Jayanti is the central festival. Paryushana (annual fast period) draws extra recitations.

Common questions

Why is the Mahaveer Jain Chalisa linked to Mahavir Jayanti & Diwali (Mahavira Nirvana)?
Mahavir Jayanti (Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi) is his birth anniversary. Diwali (his Nirvana) is also widely observed. Many homes recite the Chalisa as part of the Mahavir Jayanti & Diwali (Mahavira Nirvana) 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 Adinath Chalisa, Saraswati Chalisa, and Lakshmi Chalisa?
Each Chalisa addresses a specific deity. The Mahaveer Jain Chalisa is dedicated to Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami. 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?
Bhagwan Mahaveer has central shrines at Pawapuri, Sammed Shikhar; Ujjain has Jain temples and the broader Sandipani-Mahakal connection. Aastha can guide pilgrims with combined Mahakaleshwar-related sequences.

Talk to Aastha

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Aastha is a small family in Ujjain that arranges Vedic pujas at Mahakaleshwar, Kaal Bhairav, Ram Ghat and other sacred sites. If a chalisa isn't quite what you need, we're here to listen. No pressure, no sales.

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