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Lyrics with meaning
The complete Shantinath 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.
शान्तिनाथ महाराज का, चालीसा सुखकार।
shantinatha maharaja ka, chalisa sukhakara|
Opening invocation – salutation to Bhagwan Shantinath and the framing of the Chalisa-prayer.
शान्तिनाथ तुम शांतिनायक, पञ्चम चक्री जग सुखदायक।
shantinatha tuma shamtinayaka, pa~nchama chakri jaga sukhadayaka|
Verse 1 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
तुम्हीं सोलहवें हो तीर्थंकर, पूजें देव भूप सुर गणधर।
tumhim solahavem ho tirthamkara, pujem deva bhupa sura ganadhara|
Verse 2 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
पञ्चाचार गुणों के धारी, कर्म रहित आठों गुणकारी।
pa~nchachara gunom ke dhari, karma rahita athom gunakari|
Verse 3 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
तुमने मोक्ष मार्ग दर्शाया, निज गुण ज्ञान भानु प्रकटाया।
tumane moksha marga darshaya, nija guna j~nana bhanu prakataya|
Verse 4 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
स्याद्वाद विज्ञान उचारा, आप तिरे औरन को तारा।
syadvada vij~nana uchara, apa tire aurana ko tara|
Verse 5 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
ऐसे जिन को नमस्कार कर, चहूँ सुमत शान्ति नौका पर।
aise jina ko namaskara kara, chahu.n sumata shanti nauka para|
Verse 6 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
सूक्ष्म सी कुछ गाथा गाता, हस्तिनागपुर जग विख्याता।
sukshma si kucha gatha gata, hastinagapura jaga vikhyata|
Verse 7 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
विश्व सेन ऐरा पितु, माता, सुर तिहु काल रत्न वर्षाता।
vishva sena aira pitu, mata, sura tihu kala ratna varshata|
Verse 8 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
साढ़े दस करोड नित गिरते. ऐरा माँ के आँगन भरते।
sa.dhe dasa karoda nita girate. aira ma.n ke a.ngana bharate|
Verse 9 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
पन्द्रह माह तक हुई लुटाई, ले जा भर भर लोग लुगाई।
pandraha maha taka hui lutai, le ja bhara bhara loga lugai|
Verse 10 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
भादों बदी सप्तमी गर्भाते, उत्तम सोलह स्वप्न आते।
bhadom badi saptami garbhate, uttama solaha svapna ate|
Verse 11 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
सुर चारों कायों के आये, नाटक गायन नृत्य दिखाये।
sura charom kayom ke aye, nataka gayana nrritya dikhaye|
Verse 12 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
सेवा में जो रहीं देवियाँ, रखती खुश माँ को दिन रतियाँ।
seva mem jo rahim deviya.n, rakhati khusha ma.n ko dina ratiya.n|
Verse 13 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
जन्म सेठ बदी चौदश के दिन, घन्टे. अनहद बजे गगन घन।
janma setha badi chaudasha ke dina, ghante. anahada baje gagana ghana|
Verse 14 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
तीनों ज्ञान लोक सुखदाता, मंगल सकल हर्ष गुण लाता।
tinom j~nana loka sukhadata, mamgala sakala harsha guna lata|
Verse 15 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
इन्द्र देव सुर सेवा करते, विद्या कला ज्ञान गुण बढ़ते।
indra deva sura seva karate, vidya kala j~nana guna ba.dhate|
Verse 16 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
अंग-अंग सुन्दर मनमोहन, रत्न जडित तन वस्त्राभूषण।
amga-amga sundara manamohana, ratna jadita tana vastrabhushana|
Verse 17 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
बल विक्रम यश वैभव काजा, जीते छहों खण्ड के राजा।
bala vikrama yasha vaibhava kaja, jite chahom khanda ke raja|
Verse 18 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
न्याय वान दानी उपकारी, परजा हर्षित निर्भय सारी।
nyaya vana dani upakari, paraja harshita nirbhaya sari|
Verse 19 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
दीन अनाथ दुखी नहीं कोई, होती उत्तम वस्तु सोई।
dina anatha dukhi nahim koi, hoti uttama vastu soi|
Verse 20 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
ऊँचे आप आठ सौ गज थे, वदन स्वर्ण अरु चिह्न हिरण थे।
u.nche apa atha sau gaja the, vadana svarna aru chihna hirana the|
Verse 21 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
शक्ति ऐसी थी जिस्मानी, वरी हजार छानवें रानी।
shakti aisi thi jismani, vari hajara chanavem rani|
Verse 22 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
लख चौरासी हाथी रथ थे, घोड़े कोड़ अठारह शुभ थे।
lakha chaurasi hathi ratha the, gho.de ko.da atharaha shubha the|
Verse 23 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
सहस पचास भूप के राजन, अरबों सेवा में सेवक जन।
sahasa pachasa bhupa ke rajana, arabom seva mem sevaka jana|
Verse 24 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
तीन करोड़ थी सुन्दर गइयाँ, इच्छा पूर्ण करें नौ निधियाँ।
tina karo.da thi sundara gaiya.n, ichcha purna karem nau nidhiya.n|
Verse 25 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
चौदह रत्न व चक्र सुदर्शन, उत्तम भोग वस्तुएँ अनगिन।
chaudaha ratna va chakra sudarshana, uttama bhoga vastue.n anagina|
Verse 26 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
थीं अड़तालीस कोड़ ध्वजायें, कुण्डल चन्द्र सूर्य सम छाये।
thim a.datalisa ko.da dhvajayem, kundala chandra surya sama chaye|
Verse 27 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
अमृत गर्भ नाम का भोजन, लाजवाब ऊँचा सिंहासन।
amrrita garbha nama ka bhojana, lajavaba u.ncha simhasana|
Verse 28 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
लाखों मन्दिर भवन सुसज्जित, नार सहित तुम जिनमें शोभित।
lakhom mandira bhavana susajjita, nara sahita tuma jinamem shobhita|
Verse 29 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
जितना सुख था शान्तिनाथ को, अनुभव होता ज्ञानवान को।
jitana sukha tha shantinatha ko, anubhava hota j~nanavana ko|
Verse 30 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
चलें जीव जो त्याग धर्म पर मिलें, ठाठ उनको ये सुखकर।
chalem jiva jo tyaga dharma para milem, thatha unako ye sukhakara|
Verse 31 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
पच्चिस सहस वर्ष सुख पाकर, उमड़ा त्याग हितकर तुमपर।
pachchisa sahasa varsha sukha pakara, uma.da tyaga hitakara tumapara|
Verse 32 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
जग तुमने क्षणभंगुर जाना, वैभव सब सुपने सम माना।
jaga tumane kshanabhamgura jana, vaibhava saba supane sama mana|
Verse 33 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
ज्ञानोदय जो हुआ तुम्हारा, पाये शिवपुर भी संसारा।
j~nanodaya jo hua tumhara, paye shivapura bhi samsara|
Verse 34 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
कामी मनुज काम को त्यागें, पापी पाप कर्म से भागें।
kami manuja kama ko tyagem, papi papa karma se bhagem|
Verse 35 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
सुत नारायण तख्त बिठाया, तिलक चढ़ा अभिषेक कराया।
suta narayana takhta bithaya, tilaka cha.dha abhisheka karaya|
Verse 36 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
नाथ आपको बिठा पालकी, देव चले ले राह गगन की।
natha apako bitha palaki, deva chale le raha gagana ki|
Verse 37 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
इत उत इन्दर चवर दुरावें, मंगल गाते वन पहुँचावे।
ita uta indara chavara duravem, mamgala gate vana pahu.nchave|
Verse 38 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
भेष दिगम्बर अपना कीना, केश लोच पन मुष्ठी कोना।
bhesha digambara apana kina, kesha locha pana mushthi kona|
Verse 39 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
पूर्ण हुआ उपवास छठा जब, शुद्धाहार चले लेने तब।
purna hua upavasa chatha jaba, shuddhahara chale lene taba|
Verse 40 of the Shantinath Chalisa – praise of Bhagwan Shantinath in the Chalisa structure.
Why this chalisa
What the Shantinath Chalisa is recited for, and what people turn to it for.
Daily anchor for Bhagwan Shantinath-bhakti
Many homes recite the Shantinath 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
Jyeshtha Krishna Chaturdashi (Shantinath Jayanti) and the major Bhagwan Shantinath 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. Shantinath is the 16th Tirthankar in Jain tradition; honoured for peace and shanti; symbol is the deer
For pilgrim recitation
The Chalisa is recited during pilgrimage to the major Bhagwan Shantinath shrines.
For households where Bhagwan Shantinath is the kuldevta
For households where Bhagwan Shantinath is the family deity, the Chalisa is the daily morning prayer and a central rite during family events.
Origin
The Shantinath Chalisa is the household-tradition Chalisa of Bhagwan Shantinath. The text is generally placed in the late 19th to early 20th century CE; many published copies attribute it simply to Jain tradition. Shantinath is the 16th Tirthankar in Jain tradition; honoured for peace and shanti; symbol is the deer
Bhagwan Shantinath is honoured in the wider Hindu tradition with festivals, pilgrimage shrines, and household worship. The Chalisa makes Bhagwan Shantinath-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 Shantinath'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, Mahaveer Jain Chalisa, and Neminath 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.
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Preparation
Bathe and wear clean clothes. Sit facing East. Traditional offerings to Bhagwan Shantinath: white flowers, akshat (rice), fruits, ghee diya, dhoop. White flowers, simple Jain-tradition offerings (no animal products), pure water, akshat.
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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.
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Recitation
Move through the chaupais without rushing. Read with attention to the meaning of each verse. Shantinath is honoured by Jains for peace and prosperity; recite with the Jain-tradition emphasis on Ahimsa.
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After
Sit quietly with eyes closed for a moment. End with the bija mantra of Bhagwan Shantinath if known.
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Daily practice and special days
Jyeshtha Krishna Chaturdashi (Shantinath Jayanti) is auspicious. Shantinath Jayanti is the central festival. Paryushana draws extra recitations.