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Lyrics with meaning
The complete Yamuna 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.
प्रिय संग क्रीड़ा करत नित, सुखनिधि वेद को सार। दरस परस ते पाप मिटे, श्रीकृष्ण प्राण आधार॥
Priya sang krida karat nit, sukh-nidhi Ved ko saar. Daras paras te paap mite, Shri Krishna pran adhar.
Daily playing with the beloved, treasury of joy, essence of the Vedas. By darshan and touch, sin is wiped away – Shri Krishna is the support of life.
बंदि चरण कर जोरी कहो, सुनियों मातु पुकार। भक्ति चरण चित्त देई के, कीजै भव ते पार॥
Bandi charan kar jori kaho, suniyon matu pukar. Bhakti charan chitt dei ke, kije bhav te paar.
Bowing at your feet with folded hands, hear our cry, Mother. Giving the heart at the feet of devotion – ferry us across worldly existence.
जै जै जै यमुना महारानी। जय कालिन्दि कृष्ण पटरानी॥
Jai jai jai Yamuna Maharani. Jai Kalindi Krishna patrani.
Hail, hail, hail Yamuna Maharani. Hail Kalindi, Krishna's queen. (Kalindi is Yamuna's classical name, after the Kalinda mountain from which she descends.)
रूप अनूप शोभा छवि न्यारी। माधव-प्रिया ब्रज शोभा भारी॥
Roop anoop shobha chhavi nyari. Madhav-priya Braj shobha bhari.
Incomparable form, unique radiance. Madhav's beloved, the great glory of Braj.
भुवन बसी घोर तप कीन्हा। पूर्ण मनोरथ मुरारी कीन्हा॥
Bhuvan basi ghor tap kinha. Puran manorath Murari kinha.
Dwelling in the world, you performed terrible tapasya. Murari (Krishna) fulfilled your heart's wish.
निज अर्धांगी तुम्ही अपनायों। सावँरो श्याम पति प्रिय पायो॥
Nij ardhangi tumhi apnayon. Sanwaro Shyam pati priya payo.
He accepted you as his own better-half. You attained the dark Shyam as your beloved husband.
रूप अलौकिक अद्भुत ज्योति। नीर रेणू दमकत ज्यूँ मोती॥
Roop alaukik adbhut jyoti. Neer renu damkat jyun moti.
Otherworldly form, wondrous radiance. Your water and silt sparkle like pearls.
सूर्यसुता श्यामल सब अंगा। कोटिचन्द्र ध्युति कान्ति अभंगा॥
Suryasuta shyamal sab anga. Koti-chandra dhyuti kanti abhanga.
Daughter of Surya, dark in all your parts. With the radiance of ten million moons, beauty unbroken. (Yamuna is darker in colour – like Krishna – which the Chalisa names with affection.)
आश्रय ब्रजाधिश्वर लीन्हा। गोकुल बसी शुचि भक्तन कीन्हा॥
Ashray Brajadhishvar linha. Gokul basi shuchi bhaktan kinha.
You took shelter at the lord of Braj. You made the dwellers of Gokul into pure devotees.
कृष्ण नन्द घर गोकुल आयों। चरण वन्दि करि दर्शन पायों॥
Krishna Nand ghar Gokul ayon. Charan vandi kari darshan payon.
Krishna came to Nanda's house at Gokul. Bowing at your feet, he received your darshan.
सोलह श्रृंगार भुज कंकण सोहे। कोटि काम लाजहि मन मोहें॥
Solah shringar bhuj kankan sohe. Koti kaam lajahi man mohein.
The sixteen adornments – arm-bracelets shine. Even ten million Kamadevas feel ashamed; the heart is captivated.
कृष्णवेश नथ मोती राजत। नुपूर घुंघरू चरण में बाजत॥
Krishnavesh nath moti rajat. Nupur ghunghru charan mein bajat.
In Krishna-style attire, the pearl nose-ring shines. Anklets and bells sound at your feet.
मणि माणक मुक्ता छवि नीकी। मोहनी रूप सब उपमा फिकी॥
Mani manak mukta chhavi niki. Mohani roop sab upma phiki.
Gems, rubies, pearls – the radiance is beautiful. Your captivating form makes every comparison pale.
मन्द चलहि प्रिय-प्रीतम प्यारी। रीझहि श्याम प्रिय प्रिया निहारी॥
Mand chalahi priya-pritam pyari. Rijhahi Shyam priya priya nihari.
You walk slowly, beloved of the beloved. Shyam delights in beholding his beloved.
मोहन बस करि हृदय विराजत। बिनु प्रीतम क्षण चैन न पावत॥
Mohan bas kari hriday virajat. Binu pritam kshan chain na pavat.
Mohan dwells captivated in your heart. Without the beloved, you find no peace even for a moment.
मुरलीधर जब मुरली बजावैं। संग केलि कर आनन्द पावैं॥
Murlidhar jab murli bajavain. Sang keli kar anand pavain.
When the flute-bearer plays his flute. Together you play and experience joy.
मोर हंस कोकिल नित खेलत। जलखग कूजत मृदु बानी बोलत॥
Mor hans kokil nit khelat. Jalkhag kujat mridu bani bolat.
Peacocks, swans, and cuckoos play daily on your banks. Water-birds coo and speak gentle words.
जा पर कृपा दृष्टि बरसावें। प्रेम को भेद सोई जन पावें॥
Ja par kripa drishti barsavain. Prem ko bhed soi jan pavain.
Whoever you cast your glance of grace upon. That person learns the secret of love.
नाम यमुना जब मुख पे आवें। सबहि अमंगल देखि टरि जावें॥
Naam Yamuna jab mukh pe avain. Sabahi amangal dekhi tari javain.
When the name Yamuna comes to the lips. All inauspiciousness flees, looking at you.
भजे नाम यमुना अमृत रस। रहे साँवरो सदा ताहि बस॥
Bhaje naam Yamuna amrit ras. Rahe sanwaro sada tahi bas.
Whoever chants the name Yamuna, full of nectar-rasa. The dark Shyam remains always under their power.
करूणामयी सकल रसखानि। सुर नर मुनि बंदहि सब ज्ञानी॥
Karunamayi sakal rasa-khani. Sur nar muni bandahi sab gyani.
Compassionate one, treasury of every rasa. Gods, men, sages, and the wise all bow to you.
भूतल प्रकटी अवतार जब लीन्हो। उद्धार सभी भक्तन को कीन्हो॥
Bhutal prakti avtar jab linho. Uddhar sabhi bhaktan ko kinho.
When you manifested as an avatar on the earth. You uplifted all your devotees.
शेष गिरा श्रुति पार न पावत। योगी जति मुनी ध्यान लगावत॥
Shesh gira shruti paar na pavat. Yogi jati muni dhyan lagavat.
Sheshnaag, speech, and the Vedas cannot find your limit. Yogis, ascetics, and munis hold you in meditation.
दंड प्रणाम जे आचमन करहि। नासहि अघ भवसिंधु तरहि॥
Dand pranam je achaman karahi. Nasahi agh bhav-sindhu tarahi.
Whoever performs full prostration and aachman with your water. Their sin is destroyed; they cross the worldly ocean.
भाव भक्ति से नीर न्हावें। देव सकल तेहि भाग्य सरावें॥
Bhav bhakti se neer nhavein. Dev sakal tehi bhagya sarvavein.
Whoever bathes in your water with true devotion. All the gods approve their fortune.
करि ब्रज वास निरंतर ध्यावहि। परमानंद परम पद पावहि॥
Kari Braj vas nirantar dhyavahi. Parmanand param pad pavahi.
Whoever takes residence in Braj and meditates continuously. Receives the supreme bliss and the supreme state.
संत मुनिजन मज्जन करहि। नव भक्ति रस निज उर भरहि॥
Sant munijan majjan karahi. Nav bhakti ras nij ur bharahi.
Saints and munis perform majjan (full immersion). They fill their hearts with the new bhakti-rasa.
पूजा नेम चरण अनुरागी। होई अनुग्रह दरश बड़भागी॥
Puja nem charan anuragi. Hoi anugrah darash badbhagi.
Whoever holds devotion to the feet through the puja-vow. Receives grace through your darshan.
दीप दान करि आरती करहि। अन्तर सुख मन निर्मल रहहि॥
Deep dan kari aarti karahi. Antar sukh man nirmal rahahi.
Lighting a diya, performing aarti. The inner joy keeps the mind pure.
कीरति विशद विनय करी गावत। सिद्धि अलौकिक भक्ति पावत॥
Kirat vishad vinay kari gavat. Siddhi alaukik bhakti pavat.
Singing your fame with humble prayer. They receive otherworldly siddhi and bhakti.
बड़े प्रेम श्री यमुना पद गावें। मोहन सन्मुख सुनन को आवें॥
Bade prem Shri Yamuna pad gavein. Mohan sanmukh sunan ko avein.
Whoever sings Shri Yamuna's feet with great love. Mohan himself comes near to listen.
आतुर होय शरणागत आवें। कृपा करी ताहि बेगि अपनावें॥
Atur hoy sharanagat avein. Kripa kari tahi begi apnavein.
Whoever comes urgently as a refugee. You quickly accept them with grace.
ममतामयी सब जानहि मन की। भव पीड़ा हरहि निज जन की॥
Mamatamayi sab janahi man ki. Bhav pida harahi nij jan ki.
Mother-loving one, you know everyone's heart. You lift the worldly suffering of your own.
शरण प्रतिपाल प्रिय कुंजेश्वरी। ब्रज उपमा प्रीतम प्राणेश्वरी॥
Sharan pratipal priya kunjeshvari. Braj upma pritam praneshvari.
Protector of those in your shelter, beloved Kunjeshvari (queen of the kunjs). The pride of Braj, lord-of-the-life of the beloved.
श्रीजी यमुना कृपा जब होई। ब्रह्म सम्बन्ध जीव को होई॥
Shriji Yamuna kripa jab hoi. Brahma sambandh jiv ko hoi.
When Shriji Yamuna's grace descends. The being attains brahma-sambandha (the relationship with Brahman). (The central Pushti Marg teaching of initiation.)
पुष्टिमार्गी नित महिमा गावैं। कृष्ण चरण नित भक्ति दृढावैं॥
Pushti-margi nit mahima gavain. Krishna charan nit bhakti dridhavain.
Pushti Marg followers daily sing your glory. They strengthen daily their devotion to Krishna's feet.
नमो नमो श्री यमुने महारानी। नमो नमो श्रीपति पटरानी॥
Namo namo Shri Yamune Maharani. Namo namo Shripati patrani.
Salutations, salutations Shri Yamuna Maharani. Salutations, queen of Shripati (Krishna).
नमो नमो यमुने सुख करनी। नमो नमो यमुने दुख हरनी॥
Namo namo Yamune sukh karani. Namo namo Yamune dukh harani.
Salutations, Yamuna, doer of joy. Salutations, Yamuna, lifter of sorrow.
नमो कृष्णायैं सकल गुणखानी। श्रीहरिप्रिया निकुंज निवासिनी॥
Namo Krishnayain sakal gun-khani. Shri-Hari-priya nikunja-nivasini.
Salutations to the Krishna-form, treasury of every quality. Beloved of Shri Hari, dweller of the kunj-bowers.
करूणामयी अब कृपा कीजैं। फंद काटी मोहि शरण मे लीजैं॥
Karunamayi ab kripa kijain. Phand kati mohi sharan me lijain.
Compassionate one, show grace now. Cut the noose of bondage and accept me in your shelter.
जो यमुना चालिसा नित गावैं। कृपा प्रसाद ते सब सुख पावैं॥
Jo Yamuna Chalisa nit gavain. Kripa prasad te sab sukh pavain.
Whoever sings the Yamuna Chalisa daily. By the grace of prasad, they receive every joy.
ज्ञान भक्ति धन कीर्ति पावहि। अंत समय श्रीधाम ते जावहि॥
Gyan bhakti dhan kirat pavahi. Ant samay Shri-dham te javahi.
They receive wisdom, devotion, wealth, and fame. At the end of life, they go to the Shri-dham (Goloka).
भज चरन चित सुख करन, हरन त्रिविध भव त्रास। भक्ति पाई आनंद रमन, कृपा दृष्टि ब्रज वास॥
Bhaj charan chit sukh karan, haran trividh bhav tras. Bhakti pai anand raman, kripa drishti Braj vas.
Worship the feet, mind-joyer, lifter of the three worldly fears. Receiving devotion and joyful play, by your glance of grace, residence in Braj.
यमुना चालीसा नित नेम ते, पाठ करे मन लाय। कृष्ण चरण रति भक्ति दृढ, भव बाधा मिट जाय॥
Yamuna Chalisa nit nem te, paath kare man laay. Krishna charan rati bhakti dridh, bhav badha mit jaay.
Reciting the Yamuna Chalisa daily, with the heart attentive. Devotion to Krishna's feet becomes firm; worldly obstacles are wiped away.
Why this chalisa
What the Yamuna Chalisa is recited for, and what people turn to it for.
Anchor for Pushti Marg daily liturgy
Verse 33-34 of the Chalisa anchors it firmly in the Pushti Marg sampradaya of Vallabhacharya: "Shriji Yamuna kripa jab hoi, brahma sambandh jiv ko hoi; pushti-margi nit mahima gavain, Krishna charan nit bhakti dridhavain." The reference to brahma-sambandha (the initiation rite where the seeker takes shelter at Yamuna and receives the Krishna-mantra) makes this Chalisa central to the Vallabha tradition. Many Pushti Marg households recite the Chalisa daily before any Krishna seva.
Yama Dwitiya / Bhai Dooj centrepiece
Yama Dwitiya – the second day of bright Kartik (the day after Diwali) – is the day Yama (Yamuna's brother) visited her. Bathing in the Yamuna on this day is said to grant freedom from the fear of death. Many homes recite the Chalisa eleven times on this morning. Sisters tie tilak on their brothers' foreheads on Bhai Dooj, invoking Yamuna's love for her brother Yama as the model of sibling-protection.
Yamuna Jayanti and Vrindavan ghats
Yamuna Jayanti on Chaitra Shukla Shashthi (March-April) marks Yamuna's descent to earth – many temples in Mathura, Vrindavan, and Gokul perform special abhisheka of the Yamuna pratima. Sharad Purnima in Ashwin (October) marks the Maha-rasa night when Krishna danced with the gopis on Yamuna's banks. Many devotees visit the Yamuna ghats at Vrindavan (Keshi Ghat, Vishram Ghat, Cheer Ghat) and recite the Chalisa during the night-vigil.
Companion to Krishna and Radha worship
The Yamuna is inseparable from Vrindavan-Krishna devotion. Verses 7-15 of the Chalisa narrate the Yamuna-Krishna lila in detail. Pair with the Krishna Chalisa (her beloved) and the Radha Chalisa (his consort) for the complete Vrindavan-tradition daily practice.
For Triveni Sangam pilgrimage at Prayag
Yamuna meets Ganga and the invisible Saraswati at Prayagraj (the Triveni Sangam) – one of the four Kumbh Mela sites. Many pilgrims recite the Yamuna Chalisa alongside the Ganga Chalisa and the Saraswati Chalisa during the Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela snan. The Triveni Sangam darshan is one of the central Hindu pilgrimage moments.
Help during fear of death and family bereavement
Yamuna's relationship with her brother Yama makes her especially associated with the fear of death and the moment of dying. Many households recite the Chalisa daily during stretches of family bereavement, terminal illness in the family, or any phase where the fear of death weighs heavily. The teaching is not magic; it is that turning to Yamuna – the sister who calmed Yama himself – returns the household to the steady ground from which the difficulty can be faced.
Origin
The Yamuna Chalisa carries no clear single signature line, but its language and content firmly anchor it in the Pushti Marg sampradaya founded by Shri Vallabhacharya (1479-1531 CE). Verse 33 explicitly names brahma-sambandha – the central initiation rite of the Pushti Marg, where the seeker takes shelter at Yamuna and receives the Krishna-mantra "Shri Krishna sharanam mama" – establishing the Chalisa as part of this lineage. Verse 34 names the pushti-margi directly. The Chalisa is generally placed in the 17th-18th century CE.
Yamuna herself is the river-goddess of north India – daughter of Surya (the Sun, also father of Yama and Shani), sister of Yama (the lord of death), and the eternal beloved of Krishna. The classical legend (preserved in the Bhagavata Purana): Yamuna performed long tapasya for Krishna; he accepted her as one of his eight chief wives (the Ashta-Bhishaktas). Her river flows from Yamunotri in the Garhwal Himalayas, through Mathura-Vrindavan-Gokul (the heartland of Krishna lila), through Agra and Delhi, joining Ganga at Prayagraj. Iconographically she is depicted dark-bodied (verse 6 – like Krishna), riding the makara-tortoise, holding a kalash and a lotus.
The Krishna-Yamuna relationship is one of the most lyrical in Hindu mythology. Verses 7-15 of the Chalisa narrate it: Krishna came to Gokul on Yamuna's banks (verse 8), bowed at her feet (verse 8), played his flute on her shore (verse 14), the rasa-lila with the gopis happened on her sand-banks under the autumn moon (verse 15). The Yamuna is the witness-goddess of the entire Krishna-bhakti corpus – every Vrindavan bhajan, every painting of Krishna with the gopis, every Pushti Marg seva is performed in her presence.
The Chalisa's wider companions are the Krishna Chalisa (her beloved), the Radha Chalisa (his consort), the Ganga Chalisa (her sister-river, paired at Triveni Sangam), the Shani Chalisa (her brother), and the Surya Chalisa (her father).
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 – traditionally yellow or white. Sit facing east or facing the direction of Yamuna (north for those in the south, west for those in the east). The traditional offerings are tulsi leaves, makhan-mishri (Krishna's favourite), white or pink flowers, a small ghee diya, and Yamuna jal if available (most households keep a small bottle from a Mathura-Vrindavan pilgrimage).
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Posture and start
Sit cross-legged with your spine straight. Bow once. Take a moment of silence. If reciting on Yama Dwitiya, on Yamuna Jayanti, on Janmashtami eve, or for a specific intention (Pushti Marg seva, fear of death, family bereavement), offer a brief sankalp.
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Recitation
Move through the forty chaupais without rushing. Verses 1-15 narrate the Krishna-Yamuna relationship. Verses 16-32 are the practitioner-facing benefits. Verses 33-34 carry the Pushti Marg brahma-sambandha teaching. End with the two closing dohas.
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After
Sit quietly with eyes closed. Many people end with the Pushti Marg mantra Shri Krishna sharanam mama recited 11 or 21 times, or the Yamuna bija mantra Om Yamunayai Namah.
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Daily practice and special days
One paath a day – morning – is enough for steady daily practice. Tuesdays are auspicious. The major periods: Yama Dwitiya on Kartik Shukla Dvitiya (the day after Diwali), Yamuna Jayanti on Chaitra Shukla Shashthi (March-April), Sharad Purnima in Ashwin (October) for the Vrindavan night-vigil, Krishna Janmashtami in Bhadrapad (August), and the Magh Mela at Prayagraj.