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Lyrics with meaning
The complete Shiv 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 गणेश गिरिजा सुवन, मंगल मूल सुजान। कहत अयोध्यादास तुम, देहु अभय वरदान॥
Shri Ganesh Girija suvan, mangala mula sujana. Kahat Ayodhyadas tum, dehu abhaya varadana.
The composer Ayodhya Das opens by saluting Lord Ganesh, son of Girija (Parvati) and the source of all good beginnings and wisdom. He humbly asks for the boon of fearlessness for everyone.
जय गिरिजा पति दीन दयाला। सदा करत सन्तन प्रतिपाला॥
Jai Girija pati deen dayala. Sada karat santan pratipala.
Hail to the husband of Girija (Parvati), the one who is kind to the lowly. You always protect the saints and devoted ones.
भाल चन्द्रमा सोहत नीके। कानन कुण्डल नागफनी के॥
Bhal Chandrama sohat neeke. Kanan kundal nag-phani ke.
The crescent moon shines beautifully on your forehead. In your ears are earrings shaped like the hood of a serpent.
अंग गौर शिर गंग बहाये। मुण्डमाल तन छार लगाये॥
Ang gaur shir Gang bahaye. Mund-mal tan chhar lagaye.
Your body is fair, and the Ganga flows down from your head. You wear a garland of skulls and your body is smeared with sacred ash.
वस्त्र खाल बघम्बर सोहे। छवि को देख नाग मन मोहे॥
Vastra khal baghambar sohe. Chhavi ko dekh naag man mohe.
You wear a tiger skin as your garment. Your form is so striking that even the serpents are enchanted by you.
मैना मातु की हवै दुलारी। बाम अंग सोहत छवि न्यारी॥
Maina matu ki hawei dulari. Baam ang sohat chhavi nyari.
The beloved daughter of Mother Maina (Parvati) sits on your left side. Together you make a unique and stunning sight.
कर त्रिशूल सोहत छवि भारी। करत सदा शत्रुन क्षयकारी॥
Kar trishul sohat chhavi bhari. Karat sada shatrun kshay-kari.
The trident in your hand looks majestic. You always destroy enemies and remove what is harmful.
नंदी गणेश सोहैं तहं कैसे। सागर मध्य कमल हैं जैसे॥
Nandi Ganesh sohain tahan kaise. Sagar madhya kamal hain jaise.
Nandi (the bull) and Ganesh sit beside you – just as lotuses bloom in the middle of the ocean.
कार्तिक श्याम और गणराऊ। या छवि को कहि जात न काऊ॥
Kartik Shyam aur Gan-rau. Ya chhavi ko kahi jaat na kaau.
Kartikeya, the dark-hued one, and the leader of ganas (Ganesh) – this whole scene around you cannot be fully described in words.
देवन जबहीं जाय पुकारा। तब ही दुख प्रभु आप निवारा॥
Devan jabahi jaay pukara. Tab hi dukh Prabhu aap nivara.
Whenever the gods came to you and called for help, you removed their suffering at once.
किया उपद्रव तारक भारी। देवन सब मिल तुमहिं जुहारी॥
Kiya updrav Tarak bhari. Devan sab mili tumahi juhari.
When the demon Tarakasura caused great trouble, all the gods together came to you in prayer.
तुरत षडानन आप पठायउ। लव निमेष महं मारि गिरायउ॥
Turat Shadanan aap pathayau. Lav nimesh mahn mari girayau.
You at once sent forth Shadanan (six-faced Kartikeya), who killed the demon in the blink of an eye.
आप जलंधर असुर संहारा। सुयश तुम्हार विदित संसारा॥
Aap Jalandhar asur sanhara. Suyash tumhar vidit sansara.
You destroyed the demon Jalandhara. Your fame is known throughout the world.
त्रिपुरासुर सन युद्ध मचाई। सबहिं कृपा कर लीन बचाई॥
Tripurasur san yudh machai. Sabhin kripa kar leen bachai.
You fought the demon Tripurasura. By your grace, you saved everyone from his terror.
किया तपहिं भगीरथ भारी। पुरब प्रतिज्ञा तासु पुरारी॥
Kiya tapahin Bhagirath bhari. Purab pratigya tasu Purari.
When King Bhagiratha did intense penance, O Purari (destroyer of three cities), you fulfilled the earlier promise – by holding the Ganga in your matted hair when she descended to earth.
दानिन महं तुम सम कोउ नाहीं। सेवक स्तुति करत सदाहीं॥
Danin mahn tum sam kou nahin. Sevak stuti karat sadahin.
Among givers, none is equal to you. Your servants and devotees always sing your praise.
वेद माहिं महिमा तुम गाई। अकथ अनादि भेद नहिं पाई॥
Ved mahin mahima tum gayi. Akath anadi bhed nahin payi.
The Vedas have sung your glory. You are beyond words, beginningless – none has fully grasped your mystery.
प्रकट उदधि मंथन में ज्वाला। जरत सुरासुर भये विहाला॥
Prakat udadhi manthan men jwala. Jarat surasur bhaye vihala.
When the ocean was churned, fire-like poison appeared. Both gods and demons were burning and in distress.
कीन्ह दया तहं करी सहाई। नीलकंठ तब नाम कहाई॥
Keenh daya tahan kari sahai. Neelkanth tab naam kahai.
You showed compassion and helped them by drinking the poison. From this you came to be called Neelkanth – the blue-throated one.
पूजन रामचंद्र जब कीन्हां। जीत के लंक विभीषण दीन्हां॥
Pujan Ramchandra jab keenha. Jeet ke Lank Vibhishan deenha.
When Lord Ramchandra worshipped you (at Rameshwaram before crossing to Lanka), he won the war and gave Lanka to Vibhishana.
सहस कमल में हो रहे धारी। कीन्ह परीक्षा तबहिं पुरारी॥
Sahas kamal men ho rahe dhari. Keenh pareeksha tabhin Purari.
A thousand lotuses had been kept ready for your worship – and that is when you tested Ram, O Purari.
एक कमल प्रभु राखेउ जोई। कमल नयन पूजन चहं सोई॥
Ek kamal Prabhu rakheu joee. Kamal nayan pujan chahn soee.
You hid one lotus from the thousand. The lotus-eyed one (Ram) then chose to offer his own eye to complete the count – showing the depth of his devotion.
कठिन भक्ति देखी प्रभु शंकर। भये प्रसन्न दिए इच्छित वर॥
Kathin bhakti dekhi Prabhu Shankar. Bhaye prasanna diye ichchhit var.
Seeing such intense devotion, Lord Shankar was pleased and granted Ram his desired boon (victory in Lanka).
जय जय जय अनंत अविनाशी। करत कृपा सब के घटवासी॥
Jai jai jai anant avinashi. Karat kripa sab ke ghat-vasi.
Hail, hail, hail to the Infinite, Indestructible One. You shower grace, dwelling in the heart of every being.
दुष्ट सकल नित मोहि सतावैं। भ्रमत रहौं मोहि चैन न आवैं॥
Dusht sakal nit mohi satavain. Bhramat rahaun mohi chain na avain.
All sorts of wicked thoughts and people torment me daily. I wander restlessly and find no peace.
त्राहि त्राहि मैं नाथ पुकारो। येहि अवसर मोहि आन उबारो॥
Trahi trahi main Nath pukaro. Yehi avsar mohi aan ubaro.
I cry 'Save me, save me!' O Lord. At this very moment, come and rescue me.
लै त्रिशूल शत्रुन को मारो। संकट से मोहिं आन उबारो॥
Lai trishul shatrun ko maro. Sankat se mohin aan ubaro.
Take up your trident and slay my enemies. Come and save me from this trouble.
मात-पिता भ्राता सब कोई। संकट में पूछत नहिं कोई॥
Maat-pita bhrata sab koee. Sankat men puchhat nahin koee.
Mother, father, brother – when real trouble comes, none of them ask after me. The verse names a real human experience.
स्वामी एक है आस तुम्हारी। आय हरहु मम संकट भारी॥
Swami ek hai aas tumhari. Aay harahu mam sankat bhari.
My Lord, my only hope is in you. Come and remove this great trouble of mine.
धन निर्धन को देत सदा हीं। जो कोई जांचे सो फल पाहीं॥
Dhan nirdhan ko det sada hin. Jo koee janche so phal pahin.
You always give wealth to the poor. Whoever asks of you receives the fruit of their wish.
अस्तुति केहि विधि करौं तुम्हारी। क्षमहु नाथ अब चूक हमारी॥
Astuti kehi vidhi karaun tumhari. Kshamahu Nath ab chook hamari.
How can I properly offer praise to you? O Lord, please forgive my shortcomings.
शंकर हो संकट के नाशन। मंगल कारण विघ्न विनाशन॥
Shankar ho sankat ke nashan. Mangal karan vighn vinashan.
O Shankar, you are the destroyer of trouble. You are the cause of all good and the remover of obstacles.
योगी यति मुनि ध्यान लगावैं। शारद नारद शीश नवावैं॥
Yogi yati muni dhyan lagavain. Sharad Narad sheesh navavain.
Yogis, ascetics, and sages meditate on you. Even Saraswati and Narada bow their heads to you.
नमो नमो जय नमः शिवाय। सुर ब्रह्मादिक पार न पाय॥
Namo namo jai Namah Shivay. Sur Brahmadik paar na paay.
Salutations, salutations, glory to 'Namah Shivaya' – even the gods including Brahma cannot reach the limits of your greatness.
जो यह पाठ करे मन लाई। ता पर होत हैं शम्भु सहाई॥
Jo yah path kare man laee. Ta par hot hain Shambhu sahaee.
Whoever recites this with focused mind – on them Shambhu (Shiva) bestows his help.
ॠनिया जो कोई हो अधिकारी। पाठ करे सो पावन हारी॥
Riniyan jo koee ho adhikari. Path kare so pavan hari.
Whoever is burdened by debts and is qualified – by reciting this Chalisa, becomes pure and freed from them.
पुत्र होन की इच्छा जोई। निश्चय शिव प्रसाद तेहि होई॥
Putra hon ki ichchha joee. Nishchay Shiv prasad tehi hoee.
Whoever wishes for a son – by Shiva's grace, this is sure to happen. The verse speaks to a wish that has shaped Indian family life for centuries.
पंडित त्रयोदशी को लावै। ध्यान पूर्वक होम करावै॥
Pandit trayodashi ko lavai. Dhyan-purvak hom karavai.
Call a pandit on Trayodashi (the 13th lunar day) and have a havan (fire ritual) performed with full focus and attention.
त्रयोदशी व्रत करै हमेशा। ताके तन नहिं रहै कलेशा॥
Trayodashi vrat karai hamesha. Take tan nahin rahai klesha.
Whoever always observes the Trayodashi (Pradosh) vrat – their body stays free from suffering. This verse is the basis of the Pradosh Vrat tradition.
धूप दीप नैवेद्य चढ़ावै। शंकर सम्मुख पाठ सुनावै॥
Dhup deep naivedya chadhavai. Shankar sammukh path sunavai.
Offer incense, lamp, and food. Then recite this Chalisa before Lord Shankar.
कहैं अयोध्यादास आस तुम्हारी। जानि सकल दुख हरहु हमारी॥
Kahain Ayodhyadas aas tumhari. Jani sakal dukh harahu hamari.
Says Ayodhya Das – my hope is in you. Knowing all my sorrows, please remove them. The composer signs his name in the closing chaupai.
नित्त नेम उठि प्रातः ही, पाठ करौ चालीसा। तुम मेरी मनकामना, पूर्ण करो जगदीशा॥ मगसर छठि हेमंत ऋतु, संवत् चौसठ जान। अस्तुति चालीसा शिवहि, पूर्ण कीन कल्याण॥
Nitt nem uthi pratah hi, path karau Chalisa. Tum meri man-kamana, purna karo Jagdisha. Magsar chhati hemant ritu, samvat chausath jaan. Astuti Chalisa Shivahi, purn keen kalyan.
Make it a daily rule – wake up early in the morning and recite this Chalisa. O Lord of the Universe, fulfill the desires of my heart. Composed in the month of Margashirsha, on the sixth day, in the winter season, in Vikram Samvat 1664 (1607 CE) – Ayodhya Das has completed this Chalisa praising Shiva for the welfare of all.
Why this chalisa
What the Shiv Chalisa is recited for, and what people turn to it for.
Inner peace and steadiness
Chaupai 23 – "you dwell in the heart of every being" – is the verse devotees turn to for inner steadiness. The Chalisa works less as a transactional prayer and more as a daily reminder that the same divine presence sits inside the worshipper.
Removal of obstacles
Chaupai 31 names Shiva as "sankat ke nashan, vighn vinashan" – destroyer of trouble and remover of obstacles. The Chalisa is recited at the start of new ventures, before exams, and at the threshold of any difficult phase.
Pradosh Vrat companion
Chaupai 37-38 set out the Pradosh Vrat tradition itself – the practice of fasting and reciting this Chalisa on every Trayodashi (13th lunar day). Many homes do this twice a month, once in the bright fortnight and once in the dark.
Eases the heavier years
Mondays are offered to Shiva, and many recite the Chalisa daily through Shani sade sati or other long stretches of difficulty. Shiva is often described in the Puranas as the protector who walks with his devotee through the hardest periods.
Daily anchor
At seven minutes a day, the Chalisa is short enough to keep up over years. Reciting it on waking gives the day a sacred start and a structure that does not drift with mood.
Path to deeper Shiva-bhakti
The Chalisa is the entry door. Once the practice settles, devotees often add the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, Rudrashtakam, and longer texts like the Lingashtakam for Mondays and the holy month of Shravan.
Origin
The Shiv Chalisa was composed by Ayodhya Das in Vikram Samvat 1664 – which is 1607 CE – on Margashirsha Shashthi (the sixth lunar day in the month of Margashirsha), during the winter season. The closing doha records the date itself: "magsar chhati hemant ritu, samvat chausath jaan". This makes the Shiv Chalisa one of the few devotional texts where the composer signs and dates his own work, leaving little ambiguity about authorship.
Ayodhya Das was a saint-poet of north India, deeply devoted to Lord Shiva and to the Ganga. Beyond the signature in this Chalisa, little is known about his life with certainty – which is true of many poet-saints of the Bhakti era. He wrote in Awadhi, the everyday language of the Awadh region, much like Tulsidas did. The Shiv Chalisa is sometimes described as adapted from the Shiva Purana, drawing on its stories – the churning of the ocean, the slaying of Tripurasura, the descent of Ganga, and the test of Ram's devotion at Rameshwaram.
Lord Shiva himself is one of the three principal deities of Hindu tradition (the Trimurti), alongside Brahma and Vishnu. He is the destroyer and transformer – the one who dissolves what has run its course so that something new can begin. He is also the great ascetic, the meditator on Mount Kailash, and the householder husband of Parvati and father of Ganesh and Kartikeya. The Shiv Chalisa moves between these images: the warrior who slays Jalandhara and Tripurasura, the compassionate one who drinks the world's poison and becomes Neelkanth, and the household deity sitting beside Parvati with his sons Ganesh and Kartikeya nearby.
The Chalisa's wider companions are the Mahamrityunjaya Chalisa (recited for healing and protection from untimely death), the Rudrashtakam (the eight-verse hymn from Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas), and the Lingashtakam (recited at the Shivling). All four texts are part of household Shiva-bhakti, with the Chalisa being the daily companion that everyone learns first.
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. Sit in a clean space facing east or north, or facing your home altar if you have one. A small diya, some bel patra (bilva leaves – Shiva's favourite), white flowers, and a little water with milk to offer at a Shivling are the traditional offerings if you have them. None of this is strictly required – the Chalisa was written for everyone, with or without samagri.
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Posture and start
Sit cross-legged on the floor on a mat, or in a chair, with your spine comfortably straight. Bow once toward the image or Shivling. Take a moment of silence to settle the mind. Begin with the opening doha (Shri Ganesh Girija suvan…), slowly and clearly. Saying it out loud has its own merit because the sound itself is an offering, but silent reciting works just as well in offices and during travel.
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Recitation
Move through the forty chaupais without rushing. The verses have a steady rhythm – let the rhythm carry you rather than reading word by word. End with the closing doha. The full recitation takes about seven minutes spoken aloud at a comfortable pace. Devotion matters more than perfect pronunciation – Ayodhya Das wrote in Awadhi precisely because it was the everyday language of his region, not Sanskrit kept aside for scholars.
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After
Sit quietly for a moment with eyes closed. Many people end with 'Om Namah Shivaya' chanted 11 or 21 times. If you have a wish or a difficulty in mind, mentally offer the punya of the recitation toward it before getting up. Some traditions add a closing line of namaskar to one's own guru and family deity (kuldevta).
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Daily practice and special days
One paath a day – morning or evening – is enough for steady daily practice. Mondays are especially auspicious. Pradosh Vrat (every Trayodashi, the 13th lunar day) is the day chaupais 37-38 of the Chalisa themselves point to – a fast and Chalisa paath at twilight is the traditional observance. The whole month of Shravan (July-August) is offered to Shiva, and many do 11 or 21 paaths a day through Shravan. Maha Shivratri (Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi) is the night of all-night Shiva worship, when 108 paaths is a common anushthan.