About the Hanuman Chalisa
The Hanuman Chalisa is a devotional hymn composed by the saint-poet Tulsidas in the 16th century in the Awadhi language. Chalisa means forty — the poem contains 40 chaupais (verses). It is one of the most widely recited texts in Hinduism, chanted by hundreds of millions of devotees daily.
The Mantra
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज, निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि। बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु, जो दायकु फल चारि॥
Śrī guru carana saroja raja, nija manu mukuru sudhāri · baranauṃ raghubara bimala jasu, jo dāyaku phala cāri
Overall Meaning
The Chalisa narrates Hanuman's birth, his devotion to Lord Ram, his heroic deeds in Lanka, and ends with a prayer for Hanuman's grace. It is simultaneously a biography of Hanuman and a devotional meditation.
Word-by-Word Translation
| Chalisa |
Forty — referring to the 40 chaupais (verses) |
| Chaupai |
A four-line verse in the Awadhi metre |
| Doha |
A two-line couplet (appears at start and end) |
| Jaya |
Victory, glory |
| Hanuman |
One with a prominent jaw (Hanu=jaw, Man=prominent) |
Key Verses
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर। जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर॥
Jaya Hanumān jñāna guṇa sāgara · jaya kapīśa tihuṃ loka ujāgara
Victory to Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue. Victory to the Lord of monkeys, who illuminates the three worlds.
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके, सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार। बल बुद्धि विद्या देहु मोहिं, हरहु कलेश विकार॥
Buddhihīna tanu jānike, sumirauṃ pavana-kumāra · bala buddhi vidyā dehu mohi, harahu kleśa vikāra
Knowing myself to be of dull intellect, I call on you, Son of the Wind. Grant me strength, wisdom and knowledge, and remove my sorrows and impurities.
Significance & Philosophy
Tulsidas composed this in the Awadhi vernacular specifically so it could be chanted by ordinary people, not just Sanskrit scholars. Its accessibility made it one of the most democratic sacred texts in Hinduism.
Benefits of Chanting
- Removes fear — Hanuman is the dispeller of all fear
- Grants protection from negative forces
- Strengthens resolve and courage
- One of the most widely recited texts in Hinduism
- Particularly auspicious on Tuesdays and Saturdays
How to Chant
Recite all 40 chaupais once daily, or 3 times on Tuesdays and Saturdays. During difficult periods, 108 recitations in a single sitting is a powerful practice. Full recitation takes approximately 10–15 minutes.