Shri Hanuman Chalisa
श्री हनुमान चालीसा · Goswami Tulsidas
The Hanuman Chalisa by Goswami Tulsidas: two opening dohas, forty chaupais and a closing doha. Below is the complete text in English letters, so you can recite it even if you don't read Hindi.
Doha
Chaupai
- 1
Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagarJai Kapis tihun lok ujagar
- 2
Ram doot atulit bal dhamaAnjani-putra Pavansut nama
- 3
Mahabir bikram BajrangiKumati nivar sumati ke sangi
- 4
Kanchan baran biraj subesaKanan kundal kunchit kesa
- 5
Hath bajra au dhvaja birajaiKandhe moonj janeu sajai
- 6
Sankar suvan KesarinandanTej pratap maha jag bandan
- 7
Bidyavan guni ati chaturRam kaj karibe ko atur
- 8
Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiyaRam Lakhan Sita man basiya
- 9
Sukshma roop dhari Siyahin dikhavaBikat roop dhari Lank jarava
- 10
Bheem roop dhari asur sanhareRamchandra ke kaj sanvare
- 11
Lay sajivan Lakhan jiyayeShri Raghubir harashi ur laye
- 12
Raghupati kinhi bahut badaiTum mam priya Bharatahi sam bhai
- 13
Sahas badan tumharo jas gavainAs kahi Shripati kanth lagavain
- 14
Sanakadik Brahmadi munisaNarad Sarad sahit Ahisa
- 15
Jam Kuber Digpal jahan teKabi kobid kahi sake kahan te
- 16
Tum upkar Sugrivahin kinhaRam milay raj pad dinha
- 17
Tumharo mantra Bibhishan manaLankesvar bhae sab jag jana
- 18
Jug sahasra jojan par bhanuLilyo tahi madhur phal janu
- 19
Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahinJaladhi langhi gaye achraj nahin
- 20
Durgam kaj jagat ke jeteSugam anugrah tumhare tete
- 21
Ram duare tum rakhvareHot na agya binu paisare
- 22
Sab sukh lahai tumhari sarnaTum rachchhak kahu ko dar na
- 23
Apan tej samharo apaiTinon lok hank ten kanpai
- 24
Bhoot pisach nikat nahin avaiMahabir jab nam sunavai
- 25
Nasai rog harai sab piraJapat nirantar Hanumat bira
- 26
Sankat ten Hanuman chhudavaiMan kram bachan dhyan jo lavai
- 27
Sab par Ram tapasvi rajaTin ke kaj sakal tum saja
- 28
Aur manorath jo koi lavaiSoi amit jivan phal pavai
- 29
Charon jug partap tumharaHai parsiddh jagat ujiyara
- 30
Sadhu sant ke tum rakhvareAsur nikandan Ram dulare
- 31
Ashta siddhi nau nidhi ke dataAs bar din Janaki mata
- 32
Ram rasayan tumhare pasaSada raho Raghupati ke dasa
- 33
Tumhare bhajan Ram ko pavaiJanam janam ke dukh bisravai
- 34
Antkal Raghubar pur jaiJahan janm Hari-bhakt kahai
- 35
Aur devta chitt na dharaiHanumat sei sarb sukh karai
- 36
Sankat katai mitai sab piraJo sumirai Hanumat Balbira
- 37
Jai jai jai Hanuman GosainKripa karahu Gurudev ki nain
- 38
Jo sat bar path kar koiChhutahi bandi maha sukh hoi
- 39
Jo yah padhai Hanuman ChalisaHoy siddhi sakhi Gaurisa
- 40
Tulsidas sada Hari cheraKijai nath hriday mahan dera
Doha
- 1
Pavan tanay sankat haran, mangal murati roopRam Lakhan Sita sahit, hriday basahu sur bhoop
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Also read
What is the Hanuman Chalisa?
The Hanuman Chalisa is a devotional hymn in praise of Lord Hanuman, composed by Goswami Tulsidas in the sixteenth century in Awadhi, an old form of Hindi. Tulsidas also wrote the Shri Ramcharitmanas. "Chalisa" comes from "chalis", meaning forty, because the hymn has forty chaupais (verses). It opens with two dohas (couplets) and closes with one.
The verses describe Hanuman's strength, wisdom and learning, and recall the moments in the Ramayana when he served Shri Ram: appearing before Sita in a tiny form, setting Lanka on fire, and bringing the sanjeevani herb to save Lakshman's life. Its simple language and steady rhythm make it one of the most widely recited hymns in India; many people know it by heart from childhood.
How the Hanuman Chalisa is structured
- Two opening dohas: in the first, Tulsidas cleans the mirror of his mind with the dust of his guru's feet before singing Shri Ram's glory; in the second, he calls himself lacking in wisdom and asks Hanuman for strength, wisdom and knowledge.
- Forty chaupais: Hanuman's form and qualities, his deeds in the Ramayana, and then the grace he gives: remembering him removes troubles.
- Closing doha: a prayer that Hanuman, son of the wind, may live in the heart together with Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita.
How to recite the Hanuman Chalisa
There are no strict rules; faith and attention matter most. Many families follow this simple order:
- Bathe, wear clean clothes and sit in a quiet place.
- Light a diya in front of a picture of Hanuman or Shri Ram.
- First remember Shri Ram. It is believed that devotion to Ram pleases Hanuman most.
- Recite the whole text clearly, from the opening dohas to the closing doha. Knowing the meaning helps the mind stay with it.
- Finish with Hanuman's aarti.
You can also recite it silently, wherever you are: while travelling, in hospital, or before sleeping.
When and how many times to recite it
The Hanuman Chalisa can be recited on any day, at any time. Tuesday and Saturday are traditionally Hanuman's days, and it is recited specially on Hanuman Jayanti. Many people recite it in the morning after bathing, or in the evening after lighting a diya.
There is no single rule for how many times. People take a sankalp (vow) of 1, 3, 7, 11, 21 or 108 recitations, and many recite it daily for 11 or 21 days. The chalisa itself says: "Jo sat bar path kar koi, chhutahi bandi maha sukh hoi": whoever recites it a hundred times is freed from bondage and finds great joy. Use the paath counter above to keep count.
Frequently asked questions
Who wrote the Hanuman Chalisa, and when?
The Hanuman Chalisa is attributed to Goswami Tulsidas. It was composed in the sixteenth century; the exact year is not known. It is written in Awadhi.
How many chaupais are there in the Hanuman Chalisa?
Forty chaupais, with two dohas at the beginning and one at the end. The name "Chalisa" comes from these forty verses.
When should I read the Hanuman Chalisa?
At any time. Tradition considers Tuesdays and Saturdays especially auspicious, as well as the morning after bathing or the evening after lighting a diya.
How many times should I read the Hanuman Chalisa?
There is no fixed rule; one complete recitation is complete in itself. As a sankalp, people recite it 3, 7, 11, 21 or 108 times. The chalisa praises reciting it a hundred times ("jo sat bar path kar koi").
Can I read the Hanuman Chalisa at night?
Yes. Many people recite it before going to sleep. The chalisa sets no restriction on the time of recitation.
Should I read the Hanuman Chalisa every day?
Many devotees make it part of their daily prayers. One recitation a day is enough; regularity matters more than the number.
Can women read the Hanuman Chalisa?
Yes. Anyone, of any age, can recite it with devotion. Family beliefs differ about reciting it during menstruation; follow your own family's tradition.
Can I read the Hanuman Chalisa without bathing?
Bathing before a formal recitation is traditional. But when travelling, unwell or in difficulty, many people recite it in their mind, and the feeling behind it is what matters most.
What language is the Hanuman Chalisa written in?
Awadhi, a major dialect of Hindi. That is why it has words like "baranaun", "dehu" and "karibe". Tulsidas's Shri Ramcharitmanas is also in Awadhi.
Which is the correct or original Hanuman Chalisa?
Different books and websites have the same words; only the spelling differs slightly, such as "Sankar" and "Shankar", or "rachchhak" and "rakshak". The text on this page was compared word for word with four published sources, and keeps the traditional Awadhi spelling.
What are the benefits of reading the Hanuman Chalisa?
Devotees believe regular recitation calms the mind, removes fear and builds courage. The chalisa itself says: "Bhoot pisach nikat nahin avai, Mahabir jab nam sunavai" and "Nasai rog harai sab pira, japat nirantar Hanumat bira." This is a matter of faith; for any illness, always see a doctor.
Can I read the Hanuman Chalisa in Hindi or in my own script?
Yes. Use the Language menu to switch between Hindi, English, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali and Odia. The words stay the same, only the script changes, and the page keeps your place.
This text has been checked word for word against several published sources. Spotted a mistake? Please let us know.