The Hanuman Chalisa is a forty-verse devotional hymn composed by the poet-saint Tulsidas in the 16th century, written in the Awadhi language, that praises Lord Hanuman as the ocean of wisdom, the embodiment of strength, and the perfect devotee of Lord Rama. The word Chalisa comes from chalis, meaning “forty,” referring to the forty verses (chaupais) that form the heart of the hymn. It is one of the most widely recited prayers in Hinduism, chanted daily by millions around the world for protection, courage, and spiritual strength. The Chalisa is not merely a prayer for material benefits; it is a complete teaching on devotion, humility, and surrender, presenting Hanuman as the ideal devotee whose life demonstrates the power of selfless service. In one line: The Hanuman Chalisa is a verse-by-verse celebration of Hanuman’s virtues and deeds, and a prayer for his grace to remove suffering and grant devotion.
Part 1: The Structure and Composition
The Author and the Legend
The Hanuman Chalisa was composed by Goswami Tulsidas (1497/1532–1623 CE), the great poet-saint of Varanasi who also authored the Ramcharitmanas, the Awadhi retelling of the Ramayana . Tulsidas was renowned for his devotion to Rama, and tradition holds that he was an incarnation of Valmiki, the original composer of the Sanskrit Ramayana .
A famous legend surrounds the composition of the Chalisa. According to tradition, Tulsidas was imprisoned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar after refusing to perform miracles to prove his spiritual power . While in prison, Tulsidas composed the Hanuman Chalisa and recited it continuously for forty days. On the fortieth day, thousands of monkeys attacked Akbar’s palace, and the emperor, recognizing the power of Tulsidas’s devotion, released him and sought his forgiveness .
The Structure
The Hanuman Chalisa consists of forty-three verses in total :
- Two introductory Dohas (couplets)
- Forty Chaupais (quatrains)
- One concluding Doha
The forty Chaupais are divided into three sections :
- Verses 1–10: Describe Hanuman’s form, knowledge, virtues, powers, and bravery
- Verses 11–20: Describe Hanuman’s acts of service to Rama, including the retrieval of the Sanjivani herb
- Verses 21–40: Describe the need for Hanuman’s grace and the benefits of reciting the Chalisa
The language is Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi, and the meter is simple and musical, making it accessible to the common people while carrying profound spiritual meaning .
Part 2: The Opening Dohas
Doha 1: Cleansing the Mirror of the Mind
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज, निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि।
बरनउं रघुबर बिमल जसु, जो दायकु फल चारि॥
Translation: “Cleansing the mirror of my mind with the dust of my Guru’s lotus feet, I describe the unblemished glory of Rama, the best of the Raghus, which bestows the four fruits of life.”
Meaning: The Chalisa begins with an invocation of the Guru. Tulsidas acknowledges that the mind is like a mirror—covered with the dust of worldly impressions and ignorance. The Guru’s feet, like a lotus, are pure and fragrant, and their dust cleanses the mirror of the mind so that the glory of Rama can be reflected clearly. The “four fruits” (phala chari) are the four goals of human life: dharma (righteousness), artha (prosperity), kama (pleasure), and moksha (liberation) .
Doha 2: Knowing the Body to Be Devoid of Intelligence
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके, सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार।
बल बुद्धि विद्या देहु मोहिं, हरहु कलेश विकार॥
Translation: “Knowing my body to be devoid of intelligence, I remember Hanuman, the son of the Wind. Grant me strength, intelligence, and wisdom, and remove my sorrows and shortcomings.”
Meaning: Tulsidas humbles himself, acknowledging his own limitations. The body is “devoid of intelligence” (buddhi-heen)—it is a limited instrument, subject to disease, decay, and death. He calls upon Hanuman, the son of the Wind, to grant him bala (strength), buddhi (intelligence), and vidya (wisdom), and to remove kalesa (suffering, afflictions) and vikara (impurities, mental maladies) .
The commentator Rambhadracharya interprets kalesa as the five afflictions (kleshas) of the Yoga Sutras—avidya (ignorance), asmita (egoism), raga (attachment), dvesha (aversion), and abhinivesha (fear of death)—and vikara as the six impurities of the mind: kama (desire), krodha (anger), lobha (greed), moha (delusion), mada (pride), and matsarya (jealousy) .
Part 3: The Forty Chaupais
Chaupai 1: Victory to the Ocean of Wisdom
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर।
जय कपीस तिहुं लोक उजागर॥१॥
Translation: “Victory to Hanuman, the ocean of wisdom and virtue. Victory to the Lord of the monkeys, the illuminator of the three worlds.”
Meaning: Hanuman is called jnana guna sagara—an ocean of wisdom and virtue. An ocean is vast, unfathomable, and contains countless treasures. Similarly, Hanuman’s wisdom and virtues are infinite. He is Kapisa, the lord of the monkeys, and tihun loka ujagara—he illuminates the three worlds (earth, atmosphere, and heaven) with his glory .
Chaupai 2: The Messenger of Rama
रामदूत अतुलित बल धामा।
अंजनिपुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥२॥
Translation: “You are Rama’s messenger, the abode of incomparable strength. You are known as Anjaniputra and Pavanasuta.”
Meaning: Hanuman is Ramaduta—the trusted messenger of Rama. He is atulita bala dhama—the repository of matchless power. His names are Anjaniputra (son of Anjana) and Pavanasuta (son of the Wind) . Anjana was an Apsara who was born as a Vanara due to a curse, and Vayu, the wind god, is his divine father .
Chaupai 3: The Remover of Evil Intellect
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी।
कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥३॥
Translation: “Great hero, valiant as a thunderbolt, remover of evil intellect and companion of the wise.”
Meaning: Hanuman is Mahavira (great hero), Vikrama (valiant), and Bajrangi (one whose body is as strong as a thunderbolt). He removes kumati (evil or deluded intellect) and is the companion of sumati (good intellect) .
Chaupai 4: Golden-Hued and Adorned
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा।
कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा॥४॥
Translation: “Golden-hued and splendidly adorned, with earrings and curly hair.”
Meaning: Hanuman’s complexion is like molten gold (kanchana barana), and he is beautifully adorned (subesa). He wears earrings (kundala) and his hair is curly (kunchita kesa) .
Chaupai 5: Mace and Flag
हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै।
कांधे मूंज जनेऊ साजै॥५॥
Translation: “In your hands shine the mace and the flag, and the sacred thread of munja grass adorns your shoulder.”
Meaning: Hanuman holds a vajra (mace, thunderbolt) and a dhvaja (flag) in his hands. The janeu (sacred thread) made of munja grass adorns his shoulder .
Chaupai 6: The Son of Shiva
संकर सुवन केसरीनंदन।
तेज प्रताप महा जग बंदन॥६॥
Translation: “You are the embodiment of Shiva and the delight of Kesari. Your glory and majesty are great, and the whole world worships you.”
Meaning: Hanuman is Shankara suvana—the son or embodiment of Shiva. According to tradition, Vayu carried the power of Shiva into Anjana’s womb, making Hanuman an incarnation of Shiva . He is also Kesarinandana, the son of Kesari, the monkey king .
Chaupai 7: The Wisest of the Wise
बिद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर।
राम काज करिबे को आतुर॥७॥
Translation: “You are the abode of knowledge, virtuous, and exceedingly clever. You are ever eager to do Rama’s work.”
Meaning: Hanuman is vidyavan (possessing knowledge), guni (virtuous), and ati chatur (exceedingly clever). He is always eager (atura) to serve Rama .
Chaupai 8: Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita in His Heart
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया।
राम लखन सीता मन बसिया॥८॥
Translation: “You delight in listening to the deeds of Rama. Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita dwell in your heart.”
Meaning: Hanuman finds immense joy (rasiya) in hearing the stories of Rama. Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita reside in his heart (mana basiya) .
Chaupai 9: The Subtle and Fierce Forms
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा।
बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा॥९॥
Translation: “You assumed a subtle form and appeared before Sita. You assumed a fierce form and burned Lanka.”
Meaning: When Hanuman found Sita in Lanka, he appeared before her in a subtle (sukshma) form to avoid detection. Later, he assumed a fierce (vikata) form and burned Lanka .
Chaupai 10: The Slayer of Demons
भीम रूप धरि असुर संहारे।
रामचन्द्र के काज संवारे॥१०॥
Translation: “You assumed a massive form and slaughtered the demons. You accomplished all of Rama’s tasks.”
Meaning: Hanuman took a massive (bhima) form and destroyed the demons (asura samhare). He accomplished (sanvare) all of Rama’s work .
Chaupai 11: The Sanjivani Herb
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये।
श्री रघुबीर हरषि उर लाये॥११॥
Translation: “Bringing the Sanjivani herb, you revived Lakshmana. Rama embraced you with joy.”
Meaning: When Lakshmana was mortally wounded, Hanuman brought the Sanjivani herb to revive him. Rama (Raghubira), overjoyed (harashi), embraced him (ura laye) .
Chaupai 12: Dear as a Brother
रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई।
तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई॥१२॥
Translation: “Rama praised you greatly, saying, ‘You are as dear to me as my brother Bharata.'”
Meaning: Rama declared that Hanuman is as dear to him as his own brother Bharata .
Chaupai 13: The Thousand-Mouthed Serpent Sings Your Glory
सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं।
अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं॥१३॥
Translation: “Saying this, Rama embraced you, and even the thousand-mouthed serpent sings your glory.”
Meaning: The Sahasrabdhan (thousand-mouthed serpent, Adishesha) sings Hanuman’s glory. Rama spoke these words and embraced him .
Chaupai 14: Sages and Gods Sing Your Praise
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा।
नारद सारद सहित अहीसा॥१४॥
Translation: “Sanaka and other sages, Brahma and other gods, Narada, Saraswati, and the serpent king sing your praise.”
Meaning: Great sages like Sanaka, gods like Brahma, and divine beings like Narada and Saraswati all sing Hanuman’s glory .
Chaupai 15: Even Yama and Kubera Cannot Describe Your Glory
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहां ते।
कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहां ते॥१५॥
Translation: “Yama, Kubera, and the guardians of the directions—even poets and scholars cannot describe your glory.”
Meaning: Even Yama (god of death), Kubera (god of wealth), and the guardians of the directions cannot fully describe Hanuman’s glory. Poets and scholars (kabi kobid) cannot express it .
Chaupai 16: The Service to Sugriva
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा।
राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा॥१६॥
Translation: “You helped Sugriva by introducing him to Rama and restoring his kingdom.”
Meaning: Hanuman introduced Sugriva to Rama and helped him regain his kingdom from his brother Vali .
Chaupai 17: Vibhishana Became King of Lanka
तुम्हरो मंत्र बिभीषन माना।
लंकेश्वर भए सब जग जाना॥१७॥
Translation: “Vibhishana accepted your counsel and became the king of Lanka, as the whole world knows.”
Meaning: Following Hanuman’s advice, Vibhishana (Ravana’s righteous brother) became the king of Lanka after Ravana’s death .
Chaupai 18: Swallowing the Sun
जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानु।
लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू॥१८॥
Translation: “The sun is thousands of miles away, yet you swallowed it, mistaking it for a sweet fruit.”
Meaning: As a child, Hanuman saw the sun and mistook it for a sweet fruit (madhura phala), leaping into the sky to swallow it .
Chaupai 19: Crossing the Ocean
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं।
जलधि लांघि गये अचरज नाहीं॥१९॥
Translation: “Placing Rama’s ring in your mouth, you crossed the ocean—this is no wonder for you.”
Meaning: Hanuman carried Rama’s ring (mudrika) in his mouth and crossed the ocean (jaladhi) to find Sita. This is no surprise given his power .
Chaupai 20: Difficult Tasks Become Easy
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते।
सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते॥२०॥
Translation: “All the difficult tasks in the world become easy by your grace.”
Meaning: Whatever is difficult (durgama) in the world becomes easy (sugama) by Hanuman’s grace (anugraha) .
Chaupai 21: The Guardian at Rama’s Door
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे।
होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे॥२१॥
Translation: “You are the guardian at Rama’s door. No one can enter without your permission.”
Meaning: Hanuman guards the door of Rama’s abode. Without his permission, no one can enter .
Chaupai 22: All Comforts Are Found in Your Refuge
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना।
तुम रच्छक काहू को डर ना॥२२॥
Translation: “All comforts are found in your refuge. When you are the protector, there is no fear.”
Meaning: Those who take refuge (sarana) in Hanuman find all happiness (sukha). When Hanuman is the protector (rachchhaka), there is nothing to fear .
Chaupai 23: The Whole World Trembles at Your Roar
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै।
तीनों लोक हांक तें कांपै॥२३॥
Translation: “You alone can contain your own power. The three worlds tremble at your roar.”
Meaning: Only Hanuman himself can contain his own power (teja). His roar (hanka) makes the three worlds tremble .
Chaupai 24: Ghosts and Spirits Cannot Approach
भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै।
महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै॥२४॥
Translation: “Ghosts and evil spirits cannot come near when the name of Mahavira is uttered.”
Meaning: When Hanuman’s name is chanted, ghosts (bhuta) and evil spirits (pisacha) cannot approach .
Chaupai 25: Diseases Are Destroyed
नासै रोग हरे सब पीरा।
जपत निरन्तर हनुमत बीरा॥२५॥
Translation: “Diseases are destroyed and all pain is removed by constantly chanting the name of the brave Hanuman.”
Meaning: All diseases (roga) are destroyed and all pain (pira) is removed by the constant repetition (japa) of Hanuman’s name .
Chaupai 26: Hanuman Saves from Crises
संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै।
मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै॥२६॥
Translation: “Hanuman saves from crises those who meditate on him with mind, action, and speech.”
Meaning: Hanuman saves (chhudavai) from all crises (sankata) those who meditate on him with mind (mana), action (krama), and speech (bachana) .
Chaupai 27: Rama, the Ascetic King
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा।
तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा॥२७॥
Translation: “Rama, the ascetic king, is above all. You accomplished all his tasks.”
Meaning: Rama is the supreme ascetic king (tapasvi raja), and Hanuman accomplished all his tasks (kaja sakala) .
Chaupai 28: All Desires Are Fulfilled
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै।
सोई अमित जीवन फल पावै॥२८॥
Translation: “Whoever brings any desire to you receives the infinite fruit of life.”
Meaning: Whatever desire (manoratha) one brings to Hanuman, one receives the infinite (amita) fruit of life .
Chaupai 29: Your Glory Spreads Through All Four Ages
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा।
है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा॥२९॥
Translation: “Your glory spreads through all four ages. It is famous and illuminates the world.”
Meaning: Hanuman’s glory (pratapa) extends through all four ages (charaon juga), and it illuminates the world (jagata ujiyara) .
Chaupai 30: Protector of Sages and Saints
साधु संत के तुम रखवारे।
असुर निकन्दन राम दुलारे॥३०॥
Translation: “You are the protector of sages and saints. You are the destroyer of demons and the beloved of Rama.”
Meaning: Hanuman protects (rakhavare) the sages and saints (sadhu santa). He is the destroyer of demons (asura nikandana) and the beloved of Rama (Rama dulare) .
Chaupai 31: The Giver of Eight Siddhis and Nine Nidhis
अष्टसिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता।
अस बर दीन जानकी माता॥३१॥
Translation: “You are the giver of the eight siddhis and nine nidhis. Mother Janaki granted you this boon.”
Meaning: Hanuman is the giver of the eight supernatural powers (ashta siddhi) and nine treasures (nava nidhi). Sita (Janaki Mata) granted him this boon .
Chaupai 32: Always the Servant of Rama
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा।
सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा॥३२॥
Translation: “You possess the elixir of Rama’s love. May you always remain the servant of Rama.”
Meaning: The rasayana (elixir) of Rama’s devotion is with Hanuman. He always remains the servant (dasa) of Rama (Raghupati) .
Chaupai 33: Through Hanuman, One Attains Rama
तुह्मरे भजन राम को पावै।
जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै॥३३॥
Translation: “Through devotion to you, one attains Rama. The sorrows of birth after birth are forgotten.”
Meaning: By devotion (bhajana) to Hanuman, one attains Rama. The sorrows (dukha) of many births (janama janama) are forgotten .
Chaupai 34: At the End, One Goes to Rama’s Abode
अंत काल रघुबर पुर जाई।
जहां जन्म हरिभक्त कहाई॥३४॥
Translation: “At the end of life, one goes to Rama’s abode, and is born as a devotee of Hari.”
Meaning: At the time of death (anta kala), one goes to the abode of Rama (Raghubara pura), and is born as a devotee of Hari (Haribhakta) .
Chaupai 35: No Other Deity Is Needed
और देवता चित्त न धरई।
हनुमत सेइ सर्ब सुख करई॥३५॥
Translation: “One who does not fix the mind on other deities, but serves Hanuman, attains all happiness.”
Meaning: One who does not place the mind (chitta) on other deities, but serves (sei) Hanuman, attains all happiness (sarva sukha) .
Chaupai 36: The Crisis Is Resolved
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा।
जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥३६॥
Translation: “All crises are resolved and all pain is removed for one who remembers the mighty Hanuman.”
Meaning: All crises (sankata) are cut and all pain (pira) is removed for one who remembers (sumirai) the mighty Hanuman (Hanumata balabira) .
Chaupai 37: Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosain
जय जय जय हनुमान गोसाईं।
कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं॥३७॥
Translation: “Victory, victory, victory to Lord Hanuman! Grant your grace as a Guru.”
Meaning: Tulsidas offers triple victory (jaya jaya jaya) to Hanuman (Hanumana Gosain), asking for his grace (kripa) as a Guru (Gurudeva) .
Chaupai 38: Grant the Boon of Devotion
जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई।
छूटहि बन्दि महा सुख होई॥३८॥
Translation: “Whoever recites this a hundred times is freed from bondage and attains great happiness.”
Meaning: Whoever recites the Chalisa a hundred times (sata bara patha) is freed from bondage (bandi) and attains great happiness (maha sukha) .
Chaupai 39: Tulsidas Is the Servant of Hari
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा।
होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा॥३९॥
Translation: “Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa attains perfection. Shiva is the witness.”
Meaning: Whoever reads (padhai) this Hanuman Chalisa attains perfection (siddhi). Gauri’s lord (Gaurisa, Shiva) is the witness (sakhi) .
Chaupai 40: Tulsidas Is Ever the Servant of Hari
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा।
कीजै नाथ हृदय महं डेरा॥४०॥
Translation: “Tulsidas is always the servant of Hari. O Lord, please make your dwelling in my heart.”
Meaning: Tulsidas is always the servant (chera) of Hari. He prays to Hanuman (Natha) to make his dwelling (dera) in his heart (hridaya) .
Part 4: The Concluding Doha
पवनतनय संकट हरन, मंगल मूरति रूप।
राम लखन सीता सहित, हृदय बसहु सुर भूप॥
Translation: “O Son of the Wind, remover of crises, embodiment of auspiciousness! Dwell in my heart, along with Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, O King of the Gods.”
Meaning: Tulsidas concludes by asking Hanuman, the son of the Wind (Pavanatanaya), the remover of crises (Sankata Harana), and the embodiment of auspiciousness (Mangala Murati), to reside in his heart along with Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita .
Part 5: The Benefits of Reciting the Hanuman Chalisa
The Chalisa is recited for a wide range of benefits, both material and spiritual :
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Removal of Fear | Ghosts and negative forces cannot approach when the Chalisa is recited |
| Financial Problems | Hanuman is the giver of Ashtasiddhi and Navanidhi; regular recitation removes financial crises |
| Physical and Mental Strength | Recitation grants strength, intelligence, and knowledge |
| Health and Healing | Diseases are destroyed and pain is removed |
| Peaceful Sleep | Recitation calms the mind and promotes restful sleep |
| Success for Students | Increases memory and concentration, grants success in education |
| Protection During Travel | Reciting before a journey prevents accidents |
| Marital Harmony | Couples can recite 100 times daily before marriage for a peaceful married life |
| Liberation | At the end of life, one goes to Rama’s abode |
The ultimate benefit, however, is not material. As the Chalisa itself states, the highest goal is to attain devotion to Rama (Rama rasayana) and to become a servant of the Divine (Raghupati ke dasa) .
Summary
The Hanuman Chalisa is a forty-verse hymn composed by Tulsidas in the 16th century, written in Awadhi, that praises Lord Hanuman as the ocean of wisdom, the embodiment of strength, and the perfect devotee of Rama. Its two introductory Dohas invoke the Guru and humble the devotee; its forty Chaupais describe Hanuman’s form, deeds, and grace; and its concluding Doha asks Hanuman to dwell in the heart along with Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita. The Chalisa is not merely a prayer for benefits but a complete teaching on devotion, surrender, and service. That realization—that the Hanuman Chalisa is a verse-by-verse celebration of the ideal devotee, and that chanting it with faith opens the heart to Hanuman’s grace—is the gift of understanding its meaning.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
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