Lyrics · Meaning · Audio
Tulsidas’s forty verses in praise of Hanuman — his strength, wisdom and devotion to Rama — the most widely recited prayer in North India, chanted daily by millions for courage and protection.
Composed by Goswami Tulsidas (16th century)
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Hanuman Chalisa
Son of Kali · Power of Hanuman
Each line shows an easy way to say it, with its English meaning. Turn on the Sanskrit, the exact pronunciation or the word-by-word meaning whenever you want to go deeper.
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि ।
Shri Guru Charana Saroja Raja Nija Manu Mukuru Sudhari
śrīguru carana saroja raja nija manu mukuru sudhāri
Cleaning the mirror of my mind with the dust of my guru’s lotus feet,
बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु जो दायकु फल चारि ॥
Baranaun Raghubara Bimala Jasu Jo Dayaku Phala Chari
baranauṃ raghubara bimala jasu jo dāyaku phala cāri
I sing the pure glory of Rama, best of the Raghus, which grants the four fruits of life.
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार ।
Buddhi Hina Tanu Janike Sumiraun Pavana Kumara
buddhihīna tanu jānike sumirauṃ pavana-kumāra
Knowing myself to be without wisdom, I remember you, son of the Wind —
बल बुधि बिद्या देहु मोहिं हरहु कलेस बिकार ॥
Bala Budhi Bidya Dehu Mohin Harahu Kalesa Bikara
bala budhi bidyā dehu mohiṃ harahu kalesa bikāra
give me strength, wisdom and knowledge, and take away my sorrows and impurities.
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर ।
Jaya Hanuman Gyana Guna Sagara
jaya hanumāna gyāna guna sāgara
Victory to Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue!
जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर ॥ १ ॥
Jaya Kapisa Tihun Loka Ujagara
jaya kapīsa tihuṃ loka ujāgara
Victory to the lord of monkeys, who lights up the three worlds!
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा ।
Rama Duta Atulita Bala Dhama
rāma dūta atulita bala dhāmā
You are Rama’s messenger, home of matchless strength,
अंजनि-पुत्र पवनसुत नामा ॥ २ ॥
Anjani Putra Pavana Suta Nama
aṃjani-putra pavanasuta nāmā
known as the son of Anjani and the son of the Wind.
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी ।
Mahabira Bikrama Bajarangi
mahābīra bikrama bajaraṃgī
Great hero, mighty, with a body as strong as a thunderbolt,
कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी ॥ ३ ॥
Kumati Nivara Sumati Ke Sangi
kumati nivāra sumati ke saṃgī
you remove bad thinking and are the companion of good sense.
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा ।
Kanchana Barana Biraja Subesa
kaṃcana barana birāja subesā
Golden is your colour, splendid your clothing,
कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा ॥ ४ ॥
Kanana Kundala Kunchita Kesa
kānana kuṃḍala kuṃcita kesā
with earrings in your ears and curly hair.
हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै ।
Hatha Bajra Au Dhvaja Birajai
hātha bajra au dhvajā birājai
In your hands shine the thunderbolt-mace and a flag,
काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजै ॥ ५ ॥
Kandhe Moonja Janeu Sajai
kāṃdhe mūṃja janeū sājai
and a sacred thread of munja grass adorns your shoulder.
संकर सुवन केसरीनंदन ।
Sankara Suvana Kesari Nandana
saṃkara suvana kesarīnaṃdana
Embodiment of Shiva, son of Kesari,
तेज प्रताप महा जग बंदन ॥ ६ ॥
Teja Pratapa Maha Jaga Bandana
teja pratāpa mahā jaga baṃdana
your radiance and glory are great — the whole world bows to you.
बिद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर ।
Bidyavana Guni Ati Chatura
bidyāvāna gunī ati cātura
Learned, virtuous and very wise,
राम काज करिबे को आतुर ॥ ७ ॥
Rama Kaja Karibe Ko Atura
rāma kāja karibe ko ātura
you are always eager to do Rama’s work.
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया ।
Prabhu Charitra Sunibe Ko Rasiya
prabhu caritra sunibe ko rasiyā
You delight in hearing the story of the Lord;
राम लखन सीता मन बसिया ॥ ८ ॥
Rama Lakhana Sita Mana Basiya
rāma lakhana sītā mana basiyā
Rama, Lakshmana and Sita live in your heart.
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा ।
Sukshma Rupa Dhari Siyahin Dikhava
sūkṣma rūpa dhari siyahiṃ dikhāvā
Taking a tiny form, you appeared before Sita;
बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा ॥ ९ ॥
Bikata Rupa Dhari Lanka Jarava
bikaṭa rūpa dhari laṃka jarāvā
taking a terrifying form, you burned Lanka.
भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे ।
Bhima Rupa Dhari Asura Sanhare
bhīma rūpa dhari asura saṃhāre
Taking a mighty form, you destroyed the demons,
रामचंद्र के काज सँवारे ॥ १० ॥
Ramachandra Ke Kaja Sanvare
rāmacaṃdra ke kāja saṃvāre
and carried out every task of Ramachandra.
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये ।
Laya Sajivana Lakhana Jiyaye
lāya sajīvana lakhana jiyāye
You brought the life-giving herb and revived Lakshmana;
श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये ॥ ११ ॥
Shri Raghubira Harashi Ura Laye
śrīraghubīra haraṣi ura lāye
Rama, hero of the Raghus, joyfully embraced you to his heart.
रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई ।
Raghupati Kinhi Bahuta Badai
raghupati kīnhī bahuta baṛāī
The lord of the Raghus praised you greatly:
तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई ॥ १२ ॥
Tuma Mama Priya Bharatahi Sama Bhai
tuma mama priya bharatahi sama bhāī
“You are as dear to me as my brother Bharata.”
सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं ।
Sahasa Badana Tumharo Jasa Gavain
sahasa badana tumharo jasa gāvaiṃ
“May the thousand-mouthed serpent sing your glory,”
अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं ॥ १३ ॥
Asa Kahi Shripati Kantha Lagavain
asa kahi śrīpati kaṃṭha lagāvaiṃ
said the Lord, and hugged you close.
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा ।
Sanakadika Brahmadi Munisa
sanakādika brahmādi munīsā
Sanaka and the sages, Brahma and the gods, the great seers,
नारद सारद सहित अहीसा ॥ १४ ॥
Narada Sarada Sahita Ahisa
nārada sārada sahita ahīsā
Narada, Saraswati and the king of serpents —
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते ।
Jama Kubera Digapala Jahan Te
jama kubera digapāla jahāṃ te
Yama, Kubera and the guardians of the directions —
कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहाँ ते ॥ १५ ॥
Kabi Kobida Kahi Sake Kahan Te
kabi kobida kahi sake kahāṃ te
how could poets and scholars ever describe your glory fully?
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा ।
Tuma Upakara Sugrivahin Kinha
tuma upakāra sugrīvahiṃ kīnhā
You did a great kindness to Sugriva:
राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा ॥ १६ ॥
Rama Milaya Raja Pada Dinha
rāma milāya rāja pada dīnhā
by bringing him to Rama, you gave him back his kingdom.
तुम्हरो मंत्र बिभीषन माना ।
Tumharo Mantra Bibhishana Mana
tumharo maṃtra bibhīṣana mānā
Vibhishana followed your advice,
लंकेस्वर भए सब जग जाना ॥ १७ ॥
Lankesvara Bhae Saba Jaga Jana
laṃkesvara bhae saba jaga jānā
and became king of Lanka — the whole world knows it.
जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानू ।
Juga Sahasra Jojana Para Bhanu
juga sahasra jojana para bhānū
The sun, thousands of leagues away,
लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू ॥ १८ ॥
Lilyo Tahi Madhura Phala Janu
līlyo tāhi madhura phala jānū
you swallowed, thinking it was a sweet fruit.
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं ।
Prabhu Mudrika Meli Mukha Mahin
prabhu mudrikā meli mukha māhīṃ
Carrying the Lord’s ring in your mouth,
जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं ॥ १९ ॥
Jaladhi Langhi Gaye Acharaja Nahin
jaladhi lāṃghi gaye acaraja nāhīṃ
you leapt across the ocean — no wonder at all for you.
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते ।
Durgama Kaja Jagata Ke Jete
durgama kāja jagata ke jete
Every difficult task in the world
सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते ॥ २० ॥
Sugama Anugraha Tumhare Tete
sugama anugraha tumhare tete
becomes easy by your grace.
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे ।
Rama Duare Tuma Rakhavare
rāma duāre tuma rakhavāre
You are the guardian of Rama’s door;
होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे ॥ २१ ॥
Hota Na Agya Binu Paisare
hota na āgyā binu paisāre
no one enters without your permission.
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना ।
Saba Sukha Lahai Tumhari Sarana
saba sukha lahai tumhārī saranā
All happiness is found in your shelter;
तुम रच्छक काहू को डर ना ॥ २२ ॥
Tuma Rachchhaka Kahu Ko Dara Na
tuma racchaka kāhū ko ḍara nā
with you as protector, there is nothing to fear.
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै ।
Apana Teja Samharo Apai
āpana teja samhāro āpai
Only you can contain your own power;
तीनों लोक हाँक तें काँपै ॥ २३ ॥
Tinon Loka Hanka Ten Kanpai
tīnoṃ loka hāṃka teṃ kāṃpai
the three worlds tremble at your roar.
भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै ।
Bhuta Pisacha Nikata Nahin Avai
bhūta pisāca nikaṭa nahiṃ āvai
Ghosts and evil spirits do not come near
महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै ॥ २४ ॥
Mahabira Jaba Nama Sunavai
mahābīra jaba nāma sunāvai
when your name, great hero, is spoken.
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा ।
Nasai Roga Harai Saba Pira
nāsai roga harai saba pīrā
Disease is destroyed and all pain removed
जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा ॥ २५ ॥
Japata Nirantara Hanumata Bira
japata niraṃtara hanumata bīrā
by constantly chanting the name of brave Hanuman.
संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै ।
Sankata Ten Hanumana Chhudavai
saṃkaṭa teṃ hanumāna chuṛāvai
Hanuman frees from every crisis
मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै ॥ २६ ॥
Mana Krama Bachana Dhyana Jo Lavai
mana krama bacana dhyāna jo lāvai
those who keep him in mind, in action and in word.
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा ।
Saba Para Rama Tapasvi Raja
saba para rāma tapasvī rājā
Rama, the ascetic king, is supreme over all,
तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा ॥ २७ ॥
Tina Ke Kaja Sakala Tuma Saja
tina ke kāja sakala tuma sājā
and you accomplished all his work.
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै ।
Aura Manoratha Jo Koi Lavai
aura manoratha jo koī lāvai
Whoever brings any other heartfelt wish to you
सोइ अमित जीवन फल पावै ॥ २८ ॥
Soi Amita Jivana Phala Pavai
soi amita jīvana phala pāvai
receives the boundless fruit of life.
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा ।
Charon Juga Paratapa Tumhara
cāroṃ juga paratāpa tumhārā
Your glory shines through all four ages,
है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा ॥ २९ ॥
Hai Parasiddha Jagata Ujiyara
hai parasiddha jagata ujiyārā
famous everywhere, lighting up the world.
साधु संत के तुम रखवारे ।
Sadhu Santa Ke Tuma Rakhavare
sādhu saṃta ke tuma rakhavāre
You are the protector of saints and holy people,
असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे ॥ ३० ॥
Asura Nikandana Rama Dulare
asura nikaṃdana rāma dulāre
destroyer of demons, beloved of Rama.
अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता ।
Ashta Siddhi Nau Nidhi Ke Data
aṣṭa siddhi nau nidhi ke dātā
You can grant the eight spiritual powers and the nine treasures —
अस बर दीन जानकी माता ॥ ३१ ॥
Asa Bara Dina Janaki Mata
asa bara dīna jānakī mātā
this boon was given to you by Mother Sita.
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा ।
Rama Rasayana Tumhare Pasa
rāma rasāyana tumhare pāsā
You hold the elixir of devotion to Rama;
सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा ॥ ३२ ॥
Sada Raho Raghupati Ke Dasa
sadā raho raghupati ke dāsā
may you always remain the servant of the Lord.
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै ।
Tumhare Bhajana Rama Ko Pavai
tumhare bhajana rāma ko pāvai
Through devotion to you, one reaches Rama
जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै ॥ ३३ ॥
Janama Janama Ke Dukha Bisaravai
janama janama ke dukha bisarāvai
and forgets the sorrows of lifetime after lifetime.
अंत काल रघुबर पुर जाई ।
Anta Kala Raghubara Pura Jai
aṃta kāla raghubara pura jāī
At the end of life, they go to Rama’s abode,
जहाँ जन्म हरि-भक्त कहाई ॥ ३४ ॥
Jahan Janma Hari Bhakta Kahai
jahāṃ janma hari-bhakta kahāī
and wherever they are born, they are known as devotees of the Lord.
और देवता चित्त न धरई ।
Aura Devata Chitta Na Dharai
aura devatā citta na dharaī
Even without holding any other god in mind,
हनुमत सेइ सर्ब सुख करई ॥ ३५ ॥
Hanumata Sei Sarba Sukha Karai
hanumata sei sarba sukha karaī
serving Hanuman alone brings every happiness.
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा ।
Sankata Katai Mitai Saba Pira
saṃkaṭa kaṭai miṭai saba pīrā
Troubles are cut away and all pain disappears
जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा ॥ ३६ ॥
Jo Sumirai Hanumata Bala Bira
jo sumirai hanumata balabīrā
for whoever remembers mighty, heroic Hanuman.
जै जै जै हनुमान गोसाईं ।
Jai Jai Jai Hanumana Gosain
jai jai jai hanumāna gosāīṃ
Victory, victory, victory to you, Lord Hanuman!
कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं ॥ ३७ ॥
Kripa Karahu Gurudeva Ki Nain
kṛpā karahu gurudeva kī nāīṃ
Shower your grace on me as my own guru would.
जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई ।
Jo Sata Bara Patha Kara Koi
jo sata bāra pāṭha kara koī
Whoever recites this a hundred times
छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई ॥ ३८ ॥
Chhutahi Bandi Maha Sukha Hoi
chūṭahi baṃdi mahā sukha hoī
is freed from bondage and finds great joy.
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चलीसा ।
Jo Yaha Padhai Hanumana Chalisa
jo yaha paṛhai hanumāna calīsā
Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa
होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा ॥ ३९ ॥
Hoya Siddhi Sakhi Gaurisa
hoya siddhi sākhī gaurīsā
will succeed — Shiva, lord of Gauri, is witness.
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा ।
Tulasidasa Sada Hari Chera
tulasīdāsa sadā hari cerā
Tulsidas, forever the servant of the Lord,
कीजै नाथ हृदय मँह डेरा ॥ ४० ॥
Kijai Natha Hridaya Manha Dera
kījai nātha hṛdaya maṃha ḍerā
prays: O Lord, make your home in my heart.
पवनतनय संकट हरन मंगल मूरति रूप ।
Pavana Tanaya Sankata Harana Mangala Murati Rupa
pavanatanaya saṃkaṭa harana maṃgala mūrati rūpa
Son of the Wind, remover of troubles, embodiment of all that is auspicious —
राम लखन सीता सहित हृदय बसहु सुर भूप ॥
Rama Lakhana Sita Sahita Hridaya Basahu Sura Bhupa
rāma lakhana sītā sahita hṛdaya basahu sura bhūpa
O king among the gods, live in my heart together with Rama, Lakshmana and Sita.
Chalisa means “forty”: the Hanuman Chalisa has forty four-line verses (chaupais), framed by two opening couplets (dohas) and one closing couplet. It was written in the 16th century by the poet-saint Tulsidas, who also wrote the Ramcharitmanas, the beloved retelling of the Ramayana. It is not in Sanskrit but in Awadhi, an old form of Hindi spoken around Ayodhya, which is why its words feel so close to modern Hindi.
The verses tell Hanuman’s story and qualities in quick, vivid strokes: his golden body and curly hair, the mace and flag in his hands, his leap across the ocean, how he burned Lanka, brought the healing herb that saved Lakshmana, and swallowed the sun as a child thinking it was a fruit. Through all of it runs one theme — that his immense power comes entirely from his love for Rama.
For millions of people the Chalisa is a daily practice, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It is chanted for courage, protection from fear and negativity, and help in difficult times — and, most of all, as a way to grow the same humble devotion that Hanuman embodies.
Verse 18 says Hanuman once swallowed the sun, “thinking it was a sweet fruit.” As a baby, Hanuman woke up hungry, saw the glowing red sun rising and leapt into the sky to eat it. The world was plunged into darkness.
Indra, king of the gods, struck the child with his thunderbolt, injuring his jaw (hanu) — which is how he got the name Hanuman. To make amends, the gods blessed him with extraordinary strength, speed, wisdom and protection from harm.
During the battle in Lanka, Rama’s brother Lakshmana was struck down and lay near death. The only cure was the sanjivani herb, which grew on a distant Himalayan mountain. Hanuman flew there overnight — but could not tell which plant was the right one.
So he lifted the entire mountain and carried it back to Lanka before dawn. Lakshmana was healed, and Rama embraced Hanuman, saying he was as dear to him as his own brother Bharata (verses 11–12).
After the victory, Sita gave Hanuman a precious pearl necklace. He began biting the pearls open one by one. When people asked why, he said he was looking for Rama and Sita inside — anything that did not contain them was worthless to him.
When someone mocked him, asking if Rama and Sita were in his own body, Hanuman tore open his chest — and there they were, seated in his heart. The closing couplet of the Chalisa asks Hanuman to let Rama, Lakshmana and Sita live in our hearts the same way.
When to chant
How many times
Once daily is the common practice. On special days people chant it 7, 11 or 108 times; verse 38 mentions reciting it a hundred times.
Sit facing an image of Hanuman or Rama, or simply close your eyes.
Begin with the two opening couplets, which ask for purity and strength before you start.
Listen to the recording and follow the meaning of each verse the first few times.
Chant the forty verses at a steady pace — about 8 to 10 minutes once you know them.
End with the closing couplet and, if you like, a few rounds of “Jai Shri Ram.”
The sounds that trip people up most in this hymn, and how to say them.
gyāna (ज्ञान)
Usually said “gyaan” in Hindi and Awadhi: gyaan gun saa-gar.
a at the end of words
In Awadhi verse the final “a” is often lightly sung: “Hanumāna,” “sāgara” — follow the recording.
ba / va
Tulsidas often writes “b” for Sanskrit “v”: bikrama, bajrangī, bidyāvāna.
ṅ / ṃ nasal vowels
Words like tihuṃ, kāṃdhe and mahīṃ have a nasal hum on the vowel: ti-hoon, kaan-dhey.
ṛ — kṛpā
Said “kri”: kri-paa karahu.
Who wrote the Hanuman Chalisa?
It was written by Goswami Tulsidas, the 16th-century poet-saint who also wrote the Ramcharitmanas.
What language is the Hanuman Chalisa in?
It is in Awadhi, an old form of Hindi spoken in the Ayodhya region — not Sanskrit. That is why many of its words are easy for Hindi speakers to follow.
Why is it called Chalisa?
Chalisa means “forty.” The hymn has forty main verses (chaupais), plus two opening couplets and one closing couplet.
What are the benefits of chanting the Hanuman Chalisa?
Traditionally it is chanted for courage, protection from fear and negativity, strength in hard times and the removal of obstacles. Verse 39 says whoever reads it will succeed, with Shiva as witness. Many people simply find it steadying and uplifting.
When should I chant the Hanuman Chalisa?
Tuesdays and Saturdays are the traditional days, but it can be chanted any day, morning or evening. Many people chant it daily.
How long does it take to chant?
About 8 to 10 minutes at a steady pace once you are familiar with it.