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Lyrics with meaning
The complete Parvati 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.
जय गिरी तनये दक्षजे, शंभु प्रिये गुणखानि। गणपति जननी पार्वती, अम्बे शक्ति भवानि॥
Jai Giri-tanaye Daksh-je, Shambhu priye gun-khani. Ganpati janani Parvati, Ambe Shakti Bhavani.
Hail, daughter of the mountain, daughter of Daksha, beloved of Shambhu, treasury of all qualities. Mother of Ganpati – Parvati, Amba, Shakti, Bhavani.
ब्रह्मा भेद न तुम्हरो पावे। पंच बदन नित तुमको ध्यावे॥
Brahma bhed na tumharo pave. Panch badan nit tumko dhyave.
Even Brahma cannot find the secret of you. The five-faced Shiva keeps you constantly in meditation.
षड्मुख कहि सकत न यश तेरो। सहसबदन श्रम करत घनेरो॥
Shadmukh kahi sakat na yash tero. Sahasbadan shram karat ghanero.
Even six-faced Skanda cannot tell your fame. The thousand-faced Sheshnaag labours to praise you.
तेऊ पार न पावत माता। स्थित रक्षा लय हित सजाता॥
Teu paar na pavat mata. Sthit raksha lay hit sajata.
They cannot find your limit, Mother. You are the maker of creation, preservation, and dissolution.
अधर प्रवाल सदृश अरुणारे। अति कमनीय नयन कजरारे॥
Adhar praval sadrish arunare. Ati kamniya nayan kajrare.
Your lips are like coral, reddish in hue. Your delicate eyes are darkly outlined with kohl.
ललित ललाट विलेपित केशर। कुंकुम अक्षत शोभा मनहर॥
Lalit lalat vilipit keshar. Kunkum akshat shobha manhar.
On your beautiful forehead, saffron is applied. With kumkum and akshat, the radiance captivates the heart.
कनक बसन कंचुकी सजाए। कटि मेखला दिव्य लहराए॥
Kanak basan kanchuki sajae. Kati mekhla divya lehrae.
You wear golden garments and a jewelled choli. Around your waist, the divine girdle shines.
कंठ मदार हार की शोभा। जाहि देखि सहजहि मन लोभा॥
Kanth madar haar ki shobha. Jaahi dekhi sahjahi man lobha.
On your throat, the splendour of the madara garland. Seeing it, the heart is captivated.
बालारुण अनन्त छबि धारी। आभूषण की शोभा प्यारी॥
Balaarun anant chhabi dhari. Abhushan ki shobha pyari.
Your form is like the rising sun, infinite in beauty. The radiance of your ornaments is dear.
नाना रत्न जटित सिंहासन। तापर राजति हरि चतुरानन॥
Nana ratna jatit singhasan. Taapar rajati Hari chaturanan.
On a throne studded with countless jewels. There you sit shining – Hari (Vishnu) and four-faced Brahma at your service.
इन्द्रादिक परिवार पूजित। जग मृग नाग यक्ष रव कूजित॥
Indradik parivar pujit. Jag mrig nag yaksh rav kujit.
Indra and the gods worship you with their entourage. Animals, serpents, yakshas – all sing your praise.
गिर कैलास निवासिनी जय जय। कोटिक प्रभा विकासिन जय जय॥
Gir Kailash nivasini jai jai. Kotik prabha vikasin jai jai.
Hail, dweller of Mount Kailash. Hail, you who shine with millions of radiances.
त्रिभुवन सकल कुटुम्ब तिहारी। अणु अणु महं तुम्हारी उजियारी॥
Tribhuvan sakal kutumb tihari. Anu anu mahan tumhari ujiyari.
All three worlds are your family. Your radiance fills every atom.
हैं महेश प्राणेश तुम्हारे। त्रिभुवन के जो निज रखवारे॥
Hain Mahesh praanesh tumhare. Tribhuvan ke jo nij rakhware.
Mahesh (Shiva) is the Lord of your life. He who is the protector of all three worlds.
उनसो पति तुम प्राप्त कीन्ह जब। सुकृत पुरातन उदित भए तब॥
Unso pati tum prapt kinh jab. Sukrit puratan udit bhae tab.
When you attained him as your husband. Your ancient virtues bore their fruit then.
बूढ़ा बैल सवारी जिनकी। महिमा का गावे कोउ तिनकी॥
Budha bail sawari jinki. Mahima ka gave kou tinki.
His vehicle is the old bull (Nandi). Who can sing the glory of one such as him?
सदा श्मशान बिहारी शंकर। आभूषण है भुजंग भयंकर॥
Sada shmashan bihari Shankar. Abhushan hai bhujang bhayankar.
Shankar always wanders the cremation grounds. His ornaments are fearsome serpents.
कण्ठ हलाहल को छबि छायी। नीलकण्ठ की पदवी पायीं॥
Kanth halahal ko chhabi chhayi. Nilkanth ki padvi payin.
On his throat, the radiance of the halahal poison. Thus he gained the title of Nilkanth (the blue-throated). (Refers to the Samudra Manthan – Shiva drinking the poison to save creation.)
देव मगन के हित अस कीन्हों। विष लै आपु तिनहि अमि दीन्हों॥
Dev magan ke hit as kinhon. Vish lai aapu tinahi ami dinhon.
For the welfare of the joyful gods, he did this. He took the poison himself and gave them the nectar.
ताकी तुम पत्नी छवि धारिणी। दूरित विदारिणी मंगल कारिणि॥
Taki tum patni chhavi dharini. Durit vidarini mangal karini.
You are his wife, bearer of beauty. Destroyer of suffering, giver of all that is auspicious.
देखि परम सौन्दर्य तिहारो। त्रिभुवन चकित बनावन हारो॥
Dekhi param saundarya tiharo. Tribhuvan chakit banavan haro.
Seeing your supreme beauty. The maker of the three worlds himself is amazed.
भय भीता सो माता गंगा। लज्जा मय है सलिल तरंगा॥
Bhay bheeta so mata Ganga. Lajja may hai salil taranga.
Mother Ganga, fearful and shy of you. The waves of her water move with shame. (Refers to the legend of Ganga also dwelling on Shiva's head.)
सौत समान शम्भु पहआयी। विष्णु पदाब्ज छोड़ि सो धायी॥
Saut saman Shambhu pah-aayi. Vishnu padabj chhodi so dhayi.
She came to Shambhu as a co-wife. Leaving Vishnu's lotus feet, she ran toward him.
तेहिकों कमल बदन मुरझायो। लखि सत्वर शिव शीश चढ़ायो॥
Tehikon kamal badan murjhayo. Lakhi satvar Shiv shish chadhayo.
At this her lotus face withered. Quickly seeing this, Shiva placed her on his head.
नित्यानन्द करी बरदायिनी। अभय भक्त कर नित अनपायिनी॥
Nityanand kari vardayini. Abhay bhakt kar nit anpayini.
Eternal-bliss-giving, granter of boons. You make your devotees fearless and never-departing.
अखिल पाप त्रयताप निकन्दिनि। माहेश्वरी हिमालय नन्दिनी॥
Akhil paap traytap nikandini. Maheshwari Himalay nandini.
Destroyer of all sin and the three afflictions. Maheshwari, daughter of Himalaya.
काशी पुरी सदा मन भायी। सिद्ध पीठ तेहि आपु बनायी॥
Kashi puri sada man bhayi. Siddha peeth tehi aapu banayi.
The city of Kashi has always pleased your mind. You yourself made it a perfected pith. (Annapurna at Varanasi – the form named in verse 33 below.)
भगवती प्रतिदिन भिक्षा दात्री। कृपा प्रमोद सनेह विधात्री॥
Bhagwati pratidin bhiksha datri. Kripa pramod saneh vidhatri.
Bhagwati, daily giver of alms (as Annapurna). Bestower of grace, joy, and affection.
रिपुक्षय कारिणि जय जय अम्बे। वाचा सिद्ध करि अवलम्बे॥
Ripukshay karini jai jai Ambe. Vacha siddh kari avalambe.
Destroyer of enemies, hail, hail Amba. You make the spoken word come true; you are the support.
गौरी उमा शंकरी काली। अन्नपूर्णा जग प्रतिपाली॥
Gauri Uma Shankari Kali. Annapurna jag pratipali.
You are Gauri, Uma, Shankari, Kali. As Annapurna, you sustain the entire world.
सब जन की ईश्वरी भगवती। पतिप्राणा परमेश्वरी सती॥
Sab jan ki ishwari Bhagwati. Pati-prana Parmeshwari Sati.
Bhagwati, mistress of all beings. Whose life is her husband – the supreme Parmeshwari Sati.
तुमने कठिन तपस्या कीनी। नारद सों जब शिक्षा लीनी॥
Tumne kathin tapasya kini. Narad son jab shiksha lini.
You performed the most difficult tapasya. After receiving instruction from Narad muni.
अन्न न नीर न वायु अहारा। अस्थि मात्र तन भयउ तुम्हारा॥
Ann na neer na vayu ahara. Asthi matra tan bhayau tumhara.
No food, no water, not even air for nourishment. Your body became reduced to bones alone.
पत्र घास को खाद्य न भायउ। उमा नाम तब तुमने पायउ॥
Patra ghas ko khadya na bhayau. Uma naam tab tumne payau.
You did not even take a leaf or grass to eat. Then you received the name Uma. (Uma = U-ma, the cry 'do not!' – said by your mother Mena upon seeing your tapasya.)
तप बिलोकि रिषि सात पधारे। लगे डिगावन डिगी न हारे॥
Tap biloki rishi saat padhare. Lage digavan digi na hare.
The Seven Sages came to witness your tapasya. They tried to shake your resolve, but you did not falter.
तब तव जय जय जय उच्चारेउ। सप्तरिषी निज गेह सिधारेउ॥
Tab tav jai jai jai uchchareu. Saptarshi nij geh sidhareu.
Then they cried out: hail, hail, hail to you. The Seven Sages departed to their own homes.
सुर विधि विष्णु पास तब आए। वर देने के वचन सुनाए॥
Sur vidhi Vishnu paas tab aae. Var dene ke vachan sunaae.
Then the gods, Brahma, and Vishnu came near you. They spoke their words of granting a boon.
मांगे उमा वर पति तुम तिनसों। चाहत जग त्रिभुवन निधि जिनसों॥
Mange Uma var pati tum tinson. Chahat jag tribhuvan nidhi jinson.
You asked them, Uma, for the husband you sought. The one who is the treasure of all three worlds.
एवमस्तु कहि ते दोऊ गए। सुफल मनोरथ तुमने लए॥
Evamastu kahi te doau gae. Suphal manorath tumne lae.
Saying 'so be it,' the two of them departed. You received the fruit of your heart's wish.
करि विवाह शिव सों हे भामा। पुनः कहाई हर की बामा॥
Kari vivah Shiv son he Bhama. Punah kahai Har ki Bama.
Marrying Shiva, O lovely one. You came to be called the consort of Hara.
जो पढ़िहै जन यह चालीसा। धन जन सुख देइहै तेहि ईसा॥
Jo padhihai jan yah Chalisa. Dhan jan sukh deihai tehi Isa.
Whoever reads this Chalisa. The Lord (Ish/Shiva) gives them wealth, family, and happiness.
कूट चंद्रिका सुभग शिर, जयति जयति सुख खानि। पार्वती निज भक्त हित, रहहु सदा वरदानि॥
Koot chandrika subhag shir, jayati jayati sukh khani. Parvati nij bhakt hit, rahahu sada vardani.
With the auspicious crescent moon on her head, hail, hail, treasury of joy. Parvati, for the welfare of your devotees, always remain the boon-giver.
Why this chalisa
What the Parvati Chalisa is recited for, and what people turn to it for.
Anchor for the 16-Monday Solah Somvar Vrat
The most-known Parvati anushthan is the Solah Somvar Vrat – sixteen consecutive Mondays of fasting and Chalisa recitation. Traditionally undertaken by unmarried girls seeking a husband like Shiva (verses 31-39 narrate Parvati's own tapasya for Shiva), by married women for their husbands' long life, and by mothers for their children. Many devotees pair it with the Shiv Chalisa – first Shiv, then Parvati, completing the Shiv-Parvati household pair.
For Hartalika Teej and Karva Chauth
Hartalika Teej in Bhadrapad (August-September) is the day Parvati attained Shiva, kept as a major fast by married women across north India for their husbands' well-being. The Chalisa is the central recitation of the day – verses 31-39 narrating Parvati's exact tapasya story are read with awareness on this morning. Karva Chauth in Kartik (October-November) is another major women's fast where the Chalisa is recited at the moonrise puja.
Companion to Shiv worship
Parvati and Shiva are inseparable in household worship. The Chalisa makes this clear: verses 13-22 narrate Parvati as Shiva's consort, ornament-bearer, and the Ganga-on-his-head story. Most homes recite both Chalisas as a pair on Mondays and during Sawan (Shravan, July-August). Mahashivratri sees both Chalisas recited eleven or twenty-one times through the night. Pair with the Shiv Chalisa as the foundation.
For matters of marriage and motherhood
Verses 31-39 narrate Parvati's own intense tapasya before her marriage to Shiva – the model in the tradition for any difficult marriage matter. Many young women undertake the 16-Monday vrat before betrothal, during marriage delay, or in the months before a wedding. Verse 40 promises dhan-jan-sukh – wealth, family, and happiness – to those who recite the Chalisa. Pair with the Santoshi Mata Chalisa for household harmony, and with the Ganesh Chalisa for fertility matters.
Help during difficulty in the household
Verses 24-25 name Parvati as the destroyer of all sin and the three afflictions (traytap): physical, mental, and external. Many households recite the Chalisa daily during stretches of difficulty in the home – illness, conflict, financial strain. The teaching is not magic; it is that turning to the Mother returns the household to the steady ground from which the difficulty can be faced.
Companion to the wider Devi worship
Verse 29 explicitly identifies Parvati with all the major Devi forms: Gauri, Uma, Shankari, Kali, Annapurna. This makes the Durga Chalisa, Kali Chalisa, Annapurna Chalisa, and Lakshmi Chalisa the wider devotional companions. Many homes recite Parvati daily and the others on the relevant day or festival.
Origin
The Parvati Chalisa carries no clear signature line in the verses themselves. Many published copies attribute it simply to "tradition" – an honesty worth preserving. The text is generally placed in the 18th-19th century CE by language and style, written in a Hindi with strong Sanskrit influence (Sanskrit-derived words like Maheshwari, Bhagwati, Annapurna, Parmeshwari sit naturally alongside everyday Hindi). The Chalisa follows the canonical 40-verse form framed by an opening doha and a closing doha.
Parvati herself is the central feminine deity of the Shaiva tradition. She is the daughter of King Himalaya and Queen Mena, the reincarnation of Sati (Shiva's first wife who immolated herself at her father Daksha's yajna), and the consort of Shiva. She is the mother of Ganesh and Kartikeya, and the source of all the Devi forms in the tradition. Iconographically she is depicted as a beautiful young woman with a crown bearing the crescent moon (closing doha), four-armed, sometimes seated with Shiva at Kailash, sometimes alone at her tapasya site. Her warrior forms include Durga, Kali, and Chandi; her household forms include Annapurna (the giver of food, named in verses 26-27, 29) and Gauri (the fair one).
The Chalisa's narrative arc is a love story: Parvati performs intense tapasya to win Shiva (verses 31-39), is tested by the Seven Sages, is approached by Brahma and Vishnu offering boons, and finally marries Shiva and becomes the consort of Hara. This arc is the foundational narrative of the Shaiva household. Verses 17-18 also recount the Samudra Manthan moment when Shiva drank the poison and became Nilkanth; verses 21-23 narrate the Ganga episode (Ganga also dwelling on Shiva's head, and Parvati's response). These narratives connect the Chalisa to the wider Puranic tradition.
The Chalisa's wider companions are the Shiv Chalisa (her consort, paired in any Shiva-Parvati household worship; first Shiv, then Parvati), the Ganesh Chalisa (her son), the Durga Chalisa (her warrior form, recited during Navratri), and the Annapurna Chalisa (her food-giving form, named in verses 26-27 and 29). Many homes that worship Shiv-Parvati daily recite all four during major life events.
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 – traditionally white or red. Sit in a clean space facing east or north, or before your home Shiv-Parvati murti or photograph. The traditional offerings are belpatra and dhatura (Shiva's, but offered together on Shiv-Parvati days), white or red flowers, a small ghee diya, mauli thread, a piece of fruit, and milk-based bhog. None of this is strictly required.
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Posture and start
Sit cross-legged on a mat, with your spine comfortably straight. Bow once to Shiva-Parvati. Take a moment of silence. If you are reciting on a Solah Somvar Vrat day, on Hartalika Teej, on Karva Chauth, or for a specific intention (marriage, fertility, household harmony), offer a brief sankalp. Begin with the opening doha (Jai Giri-tanaye Daksh-je...) slowly. Saying it aloud has merit, but silent reciting works just as well.
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Recitation
Move through the forty chaupais without rushing. Verses 4-9 describe Parvati's iconography (lips like coral, kohl-darkened eyes, golden garments, jewelled throne). Verses 13-22 narrate her relationship with Shiva and the Ganga episode. Verses 31-39 narrate her tapasya for Shiva – often slowed down particularly. Verse 29 names all her Devi forms (Gauri, Uma, Shankari, Kali, Annapurna). 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 people end with the bija mantra Om Hreem Parvatyai Namah or Om Gauryayai Namah recited 11 or 21 times. Offer the bhog and take a small portion as prasad. Some traditions also touch the Shivling and the Parvati murti to the forehead at the close. On Solah Somvar Vrat days, the fast is broken in the evening with a single satvik meal.
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Daily practice and special days
One paath a day – morning – is enough for steady daily practice. Mondays are especially auspicious. The Solah Somvar Vrat (sixteen Mondays) is the major Parvati anushthan. Hartalika Teej in Bhadrapad (August-September) is the day Parvati attained Shiva – read 11 or 21 paaths through the day. Karva Chauth in Kartik (October-November) is the major women's fast for husbands' welfare. Mahashivratri, the entire month of Sawan (Shravan), and Navratri (when she is worshipped as Durga, named in verse 29) are other major recitation periods.