The Markandeya Chalisa (मार्कण्डेय चालीसा) is the household hymn to Rishi Markandeya. The Chalisa establishes Rishi Markandeya's iconography, narrative, and devotional connection across 40 chaupais framed by an opening doha. Markandeya Rishi defeated death by clinging to the Shivalinga; central to the Mahamrityunjaya tradition.

Many devotees recite the Markandeya Chalisa on Maha Shivaratri, with extra paaths during Maha Shivaratri. The Chalisa is the daily anchor for households where Rishi Markandeya is the kuldevta or ishta-devata. The verses move through praise, narrative, and personal petition – the standard Chalisa structure.

This page has the full Markandeya Chalisa with lyrics in Devanagari and Romanized English. Pair with related Chalisas like the Shiv Chalisa, Kaal Bhairav Chalisa, and Hanuman Chalisa for the wider household practice.

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Markandeya Chalisa with Lyrics
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Lyrics with meaning

The complete Markandeya 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

मार्कंडेय ऋषि को भगवान शिव का भक्त माना जाता है और उन्हें भगवान शिव द्वारा अमरता का वरदान प्राप्त था। मार्कंडेय चालीसा का पाठ विशेष रूप से उन लोगों के लिए लाभकारी माना जाता है जो लंबी आयु, स्वास्थ्य, और सुरक्षा के लिए प्रार्थना करते हैं। सुमिरौ भगवान शिव भव बिनासन,

markamdeya rrishi ko bhagavana shiva ka bhakta mana jata hai aura unhem bhagavana shiva dvara amarata ka varadana prapta tha| markamdeya chalisa ka patha vishesha rupa se una logom ke lie labhakari ma

Opening invocation – salutation to Rishi Markandeya and the framing of the Chalisa-prayer.

Chaupai 1

जय जय मार्कंडेय महाभागा, साधक भक्तन के तुम हो सहायक।

jaya jaya markamdeya mahabhaga, sadhaka bhaktana ke tuma ho sahayaka|

Verse 1 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 2

भय का हरण कर भक्ति दान दो, शिव की कृपा से जीवन दो॥

bhaya ka harana kara bhakti dana do, shiva ki krripa se jivana do||

Verse 2 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 3

सुर मुनिजन सब तव नाम उच्चारें, आसुरी बल को भी तुम मारें।

sura munijana saba tava nama uchcharem, asuri bala ko bhi tuma marem|

Verse 3 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 4

शिव पार्वती को शीश नवावें, संकट हरत साधक को बचावें॥

shiva parvati ko shisha navavem, samkata harata sadhaka ko bachavem||

Verse 4 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 5

विकट रोग दुख तें जो घबरावें, मार्कंडेय का नाम जपावें।

vikata roga dukha tem jo ghabaravem, markamdeya ka nama japavem|

Verse 5 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 6

आदि अंत नित सुमिरन करें जो, रोग शोक सब हरे सत्यमेव सो॥

adi amta nita sumirana karem jo, roga shoka saba hare satyameva so||

Verse 6 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 7

महाकाल के प्रिय आप हो, मृत्युंजय मन्त्र के आप दाता हो।

mahakala ke priya apa ho, mrrityumjaya mantra ke apa data ho|

Verse 7 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 8

राक्षस समूह वश में आए, महिमा तुम्हारी सब जग में गाए॥

rakshasa samuha vasha mem ae, mahima tumhari saba jaga mem gae||

Verse 8 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 9

शिव का पूजन करता जो नर नारी, मार्कंडेय ऋषि की शक्ति भारी।

shiva ka pujana karata jo nara nari, markamdeya rrishi ki shakti bhari|

Verse 9 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 10

जीवन में ना कोई भय सतावे, मार्कंडेय कृपा से सब कष्ट हटावे॥

jivana mem na koi bhaya satave, markamdeya krripa se saba kashta hatave||

Verse 10 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 11

ध्यान धरें जो तुम्हारा संत, संकट हरै सब संकट हरण।

dhyana dharem jo tumhara samta, samkata harai saba samkata harana|

Verse 11 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 12

त्रिकाल दर्शी महात्मा महान, शरण में ले लो कृपा का दान॥

trikala darshi mahatma mahana, sharana mem le lo krripa ka dana||

Verse 12 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 13

करुणा निधि हो अमर अटल, मार्कंडेय का गान करे अटल।

karuna nidhi ho amara atala, markamdeya ka gana kare atala|

Verse 13 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 14

शिव भक्तों को जो संकट आवे, मार्कंडेय का नाम जपावे॥

shiva bhaktom ko jo samkata ave, markamdeya ka nama japave||

Verse 14 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 15

अजर अमर का वरदान पावे, मृत्यु का भय ना सतावे।

ajara amara ka varadana pave, mrrityu ka bhaya na satave|

Verse 15 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 16

शिव शंकर का आश्रय देवे, मार्कंडेय का गुणगान करेवे॥

shiva shamkara ka ashraya deve, markamdeya ka gunagana kareve||

Verse 16 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 17

जप तप का ये फल है पाए, संकट का हरता है जो साए।

japa tapa ka ye phala hai pae, samkata ka harata hai jo sae|

Verse 17 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 18

शिव के कृपा पात्र है जो, मार्कंडेय ऋषि को पूजा में राखो॥

shiva ke krripa patra hai jo, markamdeya rrishi ko puja mem rakho||

Verse 18 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 19

सुमिरन करि सदा जो नर, उसके कष्ट दूर करे हरो।

sumirana kari sada jo nara, usake kashta dura kare haro|

Verse 19 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 20

मार्कंडेय के वन्दन से, सब दुःख दूर हो प्रस्थान॥

markamdeya ke vandana se, saba duhkha dura ho prasthana||

Verse 20 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 21

साधक की हर मनोकामना पूरी, मार्कंडेय की कृपा से सब पूरी।

sadhaka ki hara manokamana puri, markamdeya ki krripa se saba puri|

Verse 21 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 22

जो जप करैं मार्कंडेय का नाम, उनके जीवन में ना आए कोई काम॥

jo japa karaim markamdeya ka nama, unake jivana mem na ae koi kama||

Verse 22 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 23

: मार्कंडेय चालीसा का पाठ करने से दीर्घायु और स्वस्थ जीवन का आशीर्वाद मिलता है। अमृतत्व की प्राप्ति

: markamdeya chalisa ka patha karane se dirghayu aura svastha jivana ka ashirvada milata hai| amrritatva ki prapti

Verse 23 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 24

: मार्कंडेय ऋषि की तरह अमरता का प्रतीक बनता है। भय से मुक्ति

: markamdeya rrishi ki taraha amarata ka pratika banata hai| bhaya se mukti

Verse 24 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 25

: सभी प्रकार के भय, चिंता और तनाव से मुक्ति मिलती है। स्वास्थ्य में सुधार

: sabhi prakara ke bhaya, chimta aura tanava se mukti milati hai| svasthya mem sudhara

Verse 25 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 26

: शारीरिक और मानसिक स्वास्थ्य में सुधार होता है। संकटों का समाधान

: sharirika aura manasika svasthya mem sudhara hota hai| samkatom ka samadhana

Verse 26 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 27

: जीवन में आने वाली सभी समस्याओं और संकटों का समाधान होता है। धन और संपत्ति की प्राप्ति

: jivana mem ane vali sabhi samasyaom aura samkatom ka samadhana hota hai| dhana aura sampatti ki prapti

Verse 27 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 28

: आर्थिक स्थिरता और समृद्धि मिलती है। शांति और संतुलन

: arthika sthirata aura samrriddhi milati hai| shamti aura samtulana

Verse 28 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 29

: जीवन में मानसिक शांति और संतुलन प्राप्त होता है। आध्यात्मिक विकास

: jivana mem manasika shamti aura samtulana prapta hota hai| adhyatmika vikasa

Verse 29 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 30

: व्यक्ति के आध्यात्मिक विकास में वृद्धि होती है। कर्मों का सुधार

: vyakti ke adhyatmika vikasa mem vrriddhi hoti hai| karmom ka sudhara

Verse 30 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 31

: व्यक्ति के कर्मों में सुधार होता है, जिससे सकारात्मक परिणाम मिलते हैं। शिव कृपा की प्राप्ति

: vyakti ke karmom mem sudhara hota hai, jisase sakaratmaka parinama milate haim| shiva krripa ki prapti

Verse 31 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 32

: भगवान शिव की कृपा और आशीर्वाद प्राप्त होता है। सद्गुणों की प्राप्ति

: bhagavana shiva ki krripa aura ashirvada prapta hota hai| sadgunom ki prapti

Verse 32 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 33

: व्यक्ति के भीतर सद्गुणों का विकास होता है। परिवार में सुख और शांति

: vyakti ke bhitara sadgunom ka vikasa hota hai| parivara mem sukha aura shamti

Verse 33 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 34

: परिवार में सुख, शांति और सामंजस्य बना रहता है। संकल्प शक्ति में वृद्धि

: parivara mem sukha, shamti aura samamjasya bana rahata hai| samkalpa shakti mem vrriddhi

Verse 34 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 35

: संकल्प शक्ति और आत्मविश्वास में वृद्धि होती है। मानसिक बल

: samkalpa shakti aura atmavishvasa mem vrriddhi hoti hai| manasika bala

Verse 35 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 36

: मानसिक शक्ति और स्थिरता में वृद्धि होती है। स्मरण शक्ति का विकास

: manasika shakti aura sthirata mem vrriddhi hoti hai| smarana shakti ka vikasa

Verse 36 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 37

: स्मरण शक्ति में सुधार होता है। सकारात्मक ऊर्जा

: smarana shakti mem sudhara hota hai| sakaratmaka urja

Verse 37 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 38

: जीवन में सकारात्मक ऊर्जा का संचार होता है। संपूर्ण जीवन में संतुलन

: jivana mem sakaratmaka urja ka samchara hota hai| sampurna jivana mem samtulana

Verse 38 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 39

: जीवन के सभी पहलुओं में संतुलन और सामंजस्य बना रहता है। मनोकामनाओं की पूर्ति

: jivana ke sabhi pahaluom mem samtulana aura samamjasya bana rahata hai| manokamanaom ki purti

Verse 39 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 40

: इच्छाओं और मनोकामनाओं की पूर्ति होती है। धार्मिकता में वृद्धि

: ichchaom aura manokamanaom ki purti hoti hai| dharmikata mem vrriddhi

Verse 40 of the Markandeya Chalisa – praise of Rishi Markandeya in the Chalisa structure.

Why this chalisa

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

Daily anchor for Rishi Markandeya-bhakti

Many homes recite the Markandeya 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

Maha Shivaratri and the major Rishi Markandeya 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. Markandeya Rishi defeated death by clinging to the Shivalinga; central to the Mahamrityunjaya tradition

For pilgrim recitation

The Chalisa is recited during pilgrimage to the major Rishi Markandeya shrines.

For households where Rishi Markandeya is the kuldevta

For households where Rishi Markandeya is the family deity, the Chalisa is the daily morning prayer and a central rite during family events.

Origin

The Markandeya Chalisa is the household-tradition Chalisa of Rishi Markandeya. The text is generally placed in the late 19th to early 20th century CE; many published copies attribute it simply to tradition. Markandeya Rishi defeated death by clinging to the Shivalinga; central to the Mahamrityunjaya tradition

Rishi Markandeya is honoured in the wider Hindu tradition with festivals, pilgrimage shrines, and household worship. The Chalisa makes Rishi Markandeya-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 Rishi Markandeya'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 Shiv Chalisa, Kaal Bhairav Chalisa, and Hanuman 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 Rishi Markandeya: red flowers, akshat (rice), fruits, ghee diya, dhoop. Traditional offerings include flowers, fruits, ghee diya, dhoop. Specific to Rishi Markandeya traditions.

  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. Recite with attention to the Rishi Markandeya devotional emphasis as outlined in the verses.

  4. After

    Sit quietly with eyes closed for a moment. End with the bija mantra of Rishi Markandeya if known.

  5. Daily practice and special days

    Maha Shivaratri is auspicious. Maha Shivaratri is the central recitation period. Many devotees do 11 paaths during festivals.

Common questions

Why is the Markandeya Chalisa linked to Maha Shivaratri?
Maha Shivaratri is the traditional day for Rishi Markandeya-bhakti. Many homes recite the Chalisa as part of the Maha Shivaratri 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 Shiv Chalisa, Kaal Bhairav Chalisa, and Hanuman Chalisa?
Each Chalisa addresses a specific deity. The Markandeya Chalisa is dedicated to Rishi Markandeya. 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?
Rishi Markandeya has shrines and traditions across India; Mahakaleshwar Ujjain has the wider Shaiva-Shakta 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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