What is Hanuman Chalisa? Spiritual Significance
The Hanuman Chalisa (हनुमान चालीसा) is a 40-verse devotional hymn composed by the saint-poet Tulsidas in the 16th century. "Chalisa" means forty (चालीस), referring to the 40 chaupais (verses) that form this sacred prayer.
Lord Hanuman — also known as Bajrangbali, Pawan Putra, Mahabir, and Sankat Mochan — is the supreme devotee of Lord Ram, worshipped as the deity of strength, courage, and protection. Reciting the Hanuman Chalisa is believed to:
- Remove fear, evil spirits, and negative energy (bhoot pret)
- Grant strength, intelligence, and knowledge
- Protect devotees from danger and illness
- Bring peace and fulfillment of desires
- Bless devotees with Lord Ram's grace
It is traditionally recited on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and on Hanuman Jayanti and Ram Navami. Many devotees recite it 11 or 108 times for special prayers. One full recitation takes approximately 8–10 minutes.
For home puja: light a mustard-oil diya, offer sindoor, red flowers, and a jaggery-chickpea prasad before Hanumanji's image, then begin the Chalisa.
Singer: Hariharan
Music: Lalit Sen
Lyrics: Sant Tulsidas (16th century, traditional)
Music Label: T-Series
How to Pronounce Hanuman Chalisa — Chanting Guide
For devotees outside India who want to chant correctly:
- ज (Ja) — soft J as in "joy"
- श (Sha) — soft "shh", not a hard S
- ं (anusvara) — nasal sound, like "ng" hummed through the nose
- Doha — the opening couplets, recite slowly with a pause between lines
- Chaupai — the 40 main verses, recited in a steady flowing rhythm
- Listen to the video once before chanting — follow along line by line
श्री हनुमान चालीसा — Hindi Lyrics (हिन्दी)
॥ दोहा ॥
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि ।
बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु जो दायकु फल चारि ॥
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार ।
बल बुधि बिद्या देहु मोहिं हरहु कलेस बिकार ॥
॥ चौपाई ॥
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर। जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर॥
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा। अंजनि-पुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी। कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा। कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा॥
हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजे। काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजे॥
शंकर सुवन केसरी नंदन। तेज प्रताप महा जग बन्दन॥
विद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर। राम काज करिबे को आतुर॥
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया। राम लखन सीता मन बसिया॥
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा। बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा॥
भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे। रामचन्द्र के काज सँवारे॥
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाए। श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाए॥
रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई। तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई॥
सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं। अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं॥
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा। नारद सारद सहित अहीसा॥
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते। कवि कोबिद कहि सके कहाँ ते॥
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा। राम मिलाय राजपद दीन्हा॥
तुम्हरो मंत्र विभीषन माना। लंकेस्वर भए सब जग जाना॥
जुग सहस्त्र जोजन पर भानु। लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू॥
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं। जलधि लांघि गये अचरज नाहीं॥
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते। सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते॥
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे। होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे॥
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना। तुम रक्षक काहू को डरना॥
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै। तीनों लोक हाँक तें काँपै॥
भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै। महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै॥
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा। जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा॥
संकट ते हनुमान छुड़ावै। मन क्रम वचन ध्यान जो लावै॥
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा। तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा॥
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै। सोई अमित जीवन फल पावै॥
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा। है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा॥
साधु संत के तुम रखवारे। असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे॥
अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता। अस बर दीन जानकी माता॥
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा। सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा॥
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै। जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै॥
अंत काल रघुबर पुर जाई। जहाँ जन्म हरि-भक्त कहाई॥
और देवता चित्त न धरई। हनुमत सेई सर्ब सुख करई॥
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा। जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥
जै जै जै हनुमान गोसाईं। कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं॥
जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई। छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई॥
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा। होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा॥
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा। कीजै नाथ हृदय मंह डेरा॥
॥ दोहा ॥
पवनतनय सङ्कट हरन मङ्गल मूरति रूप ।
राम लखन सीता सहित हृदय बसहु सुर भूप ॥
Hanuman Chalisa in English (Hinglish / Roman Transliteration)
|| Doha ||
Shri Guru Charan Sarooja-raj Nija manu Mukura Sudhaari
Baranau Rahubhara Bimala Yasha Jo Dayaka Phala Chari
Budhee-Heen Thanu Jannikay Sumirow Pavana Kumara
Bala-Budhee Vidya Dehoo Mohee Harahu Kalesha Vikaara
|| Chopai ||
Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar, Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar
Ram doot atulit bal dhama, Anjaani-putra Pavan sut nama
Mahabir Bikram Bajrangi, Kumati nivar sumati Ke sangi
Kanchan varan viraj subesa, Kanan Kundal Kunchit Kesha
Hath Vajra Aur Dhuvaje Viraje, Kaandhe moonj janehu sajai
Sankar suvan kesri Nandan, Tej prataap maha jag vandan
Vidyavaan guni ati chatur, Ram kaj karibe ko aatur
Prabu charitra sunibe-ko rasiya, Ram Lakhan Sita man Basiya
Sukshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhava, Vikat roop dhari lank jarava
Bhima roop dhari asur sanghare, Ramachandra ke kaj sanvare
Laye Sanjivan Lakhan Jiyaye, Shri Raghuvir Harashi ur laye
Raghupati keenhi bahut badaai, Tum mam priya Bharatahi sam bhai
Sahas badan tumharo jas gaaven, As kahi Shripati kanth lagaven
Sankaadik Brahmaadi Munisa, Naarad Saarad sahit Ahisa
Jam Kuber Digpaal Jahan te, Kavi kovid kahi sake kahan te
Tum upkaar Sugreevahin keenha, Ram milaay rajpad deenha
Tumharo Mantra Vibhishan maana, Lankeshwar Bhaye sab jag jaana
Yug sahastra jojan par Bhanu, Leelyo taahi madhur phal jaanu
Prabhu mudrika meli mukh maahi, Jaladhi laanghi gaye achraj naahi
Durgam kaaj jagat ke jete, Sugam anugraha tumhare tete
Ram duware tum rakhvare, Hot na aagya binu paisare
Sab sukh lahai tumhari sarna, Tum rakshak kaahu ko darna
Aapan tej samharo aapai, Teenon lok haank te kaanpai
Bhoot pisaach nikat nahin aavai, Mahabir jab naam sunaavai
Naasai rog harai sab peera, Japat nirantar Hanumat beera
Sankat se Hanuman chudavai, Man kram vachan dhyan jo lavai
Sab par Ram tapasvi raja, Tin ke kaaj sakal tum saaja
Aur manorath jo koi laavai, Soi amit jeevan phal paavai
Charon yug partap tumhara, Hai parsiddh jagat ujiyara
Saadhu sant ke tum rakhvare, Asur nikandan Ram dulare
Ashta siddhi nav nidhi ke daata, As var deen Jaanki maata
Ram rasayan tumhare paasa, Sadaa raho Raghupati ke daasa
Tumhare bhajan Ram ko paavai, Janam janam ke dukh bisraavai
Ant kaal Raghubar pur jaai, Jahan janam Hari bhakt kahaai
Aur devata chitt na dharahin, Hanumat sei sarb sukh karahin
Sankat katai mitai sab peera, Jo sumirai Hanumat balbeera
Jai jai jai Hanuman Gosain, Kripa karahu Gurudev ki naain
Jo sat baar paath kar koi, Chootahin bandi maha sukh hoi
Jo yeh padhai Hanuman Chalisa, Hoy siddhi saakhi Gaurisa
Tulsidas sada Hari chera, Keejain Naath hridaya mahan dera
|| Doha ||
Pawantanay sankat haran mangal moorti roop
Ram Lakhan Sita sahit hriday basahu sur bhoop
Hanuman Chalisa Meaning in English — Line by Line Translation
Opening Doha:
"Cleansing the mirror of my mind with the dust of my Guru's lotus feet, I describe the pure glory of Raghuvir (Ram), which grants the four fruits of life. Knowing myself to be ignorant, I meditate upon you, O Pawan Kumar. Grant me strength, intelligence and knowledge, and remove all my afflictions."
Verses 1–2 — Glory of Hanuman:
"Victory to Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue! Victory to the Lord of monkeys, illuminator of all three worlds! You are Ram's messenger, the abode of immeasurable strength, Son of Anjani and Pavan the wind god by name."
Verses 3–4 — Divine appearance:
"O great warrior of lightning strength, you remove evil thoughts and bring good company. Your complexion is golden, your attire splendid; you wear earrings and have curly hair."
Verses 5–6 — Power and radiance:
"In your hands you hold a thunderbolt and a flag; across your shoulder rests the sacred thread. You are the son of Shankar (Shiva) and the joy of Kesari — your radiance and glory are worshipped across all worlds."
Verses 7–8 — Devotion to Ram:
"Supremely learned, virtuous, and wise, you are always eager to serve Ram. You delight in hearing the deeds of your Lord; Ram, Lakshman, and Sita live in your heart."
Verses 9–10 — Great deeds:
"In a subtle form you appeared to Sita in Lanka; in a fearsome form you set Lanka ablaze. In a mighty form you slew the demons and accomplished all of Lord Ramchandra's tasks."
Verses 11–12 — Sanjivani and Ram's love:
"You brought the life-giving Sanjivani herb and restored Lakshman to life; Lord Raghuvir embraced you joyfully to his chest. Ram praised you greatly, saying 'You are as dear to me as my own brother Bharat.'"
Verses 13–16 — Praised by all creation:
"Thousands of divine serpents sing your praises; Lord Vishnu embraced you at His throat. Great sages like Sanak, Brahma, Narada, and Saraswati cannot fully describe your glory. Even Yama, Kubera, and the guardians of the eight directions cannot fully praise you."
Verses 17–20 — Impossible feats:
"You helped Sugriva greatly — brought him to Ram and he received the kingdom. Vibhishana accepted your counsel and became the king of Lanka. The sun is thousands of celestial miles away, yet you swallowed it thinking it a sweet fruit. Holding Ram's ring in your mouth, you crossed the ocean — it is no wonder!"
Verses 21–26 — Protector, remover of evil and disease:
"However difficult the tasks of this world, they become easy by your grace. You are the guardian at Ram's door; nothing enters without your permission. All find happiness in your shelter — with you as protector, who need fear? At your roar all three worlds tremble. No ghost, spirit or evil force can come near when the great warrior Hanuman's name is uttered. All diseases are destroyed and all pain removed by continuously chanting Hanumat's name."
Verses 27–36 — Fulfillment of desires, eternal glory:
"Hanuman liberates from difficulties the person who meditates on Him in thought, word, and deed. Whoever comes with any desire receives boundless fruits in life. Your glory shines through all four ages. You are the protector of saints, destroyer of demons, and beloved of Ram. Sita blessed you as the giver of the eight siddhis (divine powers) and nine nidhis (treasures). You hold the elixir of Ram — remain forever His servant."
Verses 37–40 and closing Doha — Liberation and final prayer:
"Through devotion to you, one attains Ram and forgets sorrows across many lifetimes. At the time of death one reaches Ram's abode. All pain is cut away for one who remembers the mighty Hanumat. Whoever recites this Chalisa 100 times is freed from bondage and attains great happiness. Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa attains perfection — Lord Shiva is witness. Tulsidas prays: O Lord, make your home in my heart. O son of the wind, remover of sorrows — please reside in my heart along with Ram, Lakshman, and Sita."
When and How to Recite Hanuman Chalisa
Best days: Tuesday and Saturday are most auspicious for Hanuman puja and recitation.
Auspicious occasions: Hanuman Jayanti, Ram Navami, every day in Sawan (Shravan month), and during any difficult time in life.
Puja ritual: Light a diya with mustard oil, offer sindoor mixed with oil, red flowers, and a prasad of jaggery and roasted chickpeas. Offer a garland of marigold flowers.
Number of recitations: Once daily for general blessings, 11 times on Tuesdays for removing obstacles, 108 times for special prayers during a difficult time (sankat).
Many devotees from the Indian community living abroad use a puja kit to maintain daily rituals. The Chalisa may be recited even without physical puja items — sincere devotion is sufficient.
More Hanuman & Ram Bhajans
- Shiv Amritwani Lyrics — Anuradha Paudwal
- Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram — Bhajan Lyrics
- All Hanuman Bhajan Lyrics →
- Ram Bhajan Lyrics Collection →
॥ जय हनुमान ॥ जय श्री राम ॥