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हनुमान चालीसा
Hanuman Chalisa
Composed by Goswami Tulsidas · All Chalisas
The Hanuman Chalisa is a forty-verse devotional hymn (chālīsā) composed by Goswami Tulsidas, the 16th-century poet-saint who also wrote the Ramcharitmanas. Each verse is a chaupai praising Lord Hanuman — the vanara devotee of Lord Rama known for unwavering bhakti, infinite strength, and the gift of removing obstacles from the lives of those who remember him.
Recited daily in homes and temples across India and the diaspora, the Hanuman Chalisa is widely believed to bring courage, dissolve fear, and protect the seeker from negative influences. It is traditionally chanted on Tuesdays and Saturdays — days associated with Hanuman — and during difficult times when strength and steadiness of mind are needed.
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Opening Dohas
Doha 1
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज, निज मन मुकुर सुधारि।
बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु, जो दायकु फल चारि॥
Shrīguru charana saroja raja, nija mana mukura sudhāri.
Baranau~ Raghubara bimala jasu, jo dāyaku phala chāri.
Polishing the mirror of my mind with the dust of the lotus feet of my guru, I describe the pure glory of Lord Rama — bestower of the four fruits of life (dharma, artha, kāma, mokṣa).
Doha 2
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके, सुमिरौं पवन कुमार।
बल बुद्धि बिद्या देहु मोहिं, हरहु कलेस बिकार॥
Buddhihīna tanu jānike, sumirau~ Pavana-kumāra.
Bala buddhi bidyā dehu mohi~, harahu kalesa bikāra.
Knowing this body to be lacking in wisdom, I remember the son of the wind. Grant me strength, intelligence, and knowledge, and remove my afflictions and impurities.
Chaupais (40)
Chaupai 1
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर।
जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर॥
Jaya Hanumāna jñāna guna sāgara.
Jaya Kapīsa tihu~ loka ujāgara.
Victory to Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue. Victory to the lord of the vanaras, illuminator of the three worlds.
Chaupai 2
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा।
अंजनि पुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥
Rāma dūta atulita bala dhāmā.
Añjani putra Pavanasuta nāmā.
Messenger of Rama, abode of incomparable strength — known as the son of Anjani and the son of the wind-god.
Chaupai 3
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी।
कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥
Mahābīra bikrama Bajaraṅgī.
Kumati nivāra sumati ke saṅgī.
Great hero, valiant, body strong as a thunderbolt — destroyer of wicked intellect and companion of the wise.
Chaupai 4
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा।
कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा॥
Kañchana barana birāja subesā.
Kānana kuṇḍala kuñchita kesā.
Golden-hued and beautifully adorned, with rings in your ears and curly hair.
Chaupai 5
हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै।
काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजै॥
Hātha bajra au dhvajā birājai.
Kā~dhe mū~ja janeū sājai.
In your hands shine the vajra and the banner; across your shoulder rests the sacred thread of munja grass.
Chaupai 6
शंकर सुवन केसरी नंदन।
तेज प्रताप महा जग बंदन॥
Śaṅkara suvana Kesarī nandana.
Teja pratāpa mahā jaga bandana.
An incarnation of Shankara (Shiva), the son of Kesari — your radiance and majesty are worshipped throughout the world.
Chaupai 7
बिद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर।
राम काज करिबे को आतुर॥
Bidyāvāna gunī ati chātura.
Rāma kāja karibe ko ātura.
Learned, virtuous, and extremely clever — always eager to perform Rama's work.
Chaupai 8
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया।
राम लखन सीता मन बसिया॥
Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiyā.
Rāma Lakhana Sītā mana basiyā.
You delight in listening to the deeds of the Lord; Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita reside in your heart.
Chaupai 9
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा।
बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा॥
Sūkṣma rūpa dhari Siyahi~ dikhāvā.
Bikaṭa rūpa dhari Laṅka jarāvā.
Taking a tiny form you revealed yourself to Sita; taking a fearsome form you set Lanka ablaze.
Chaupai 10
भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे।
रामचंद्र के काज सँवारे॥
Bhīma rūpa dhari asura sa~hāre.
Rāmachandra ke kāja sa~vāre.
Taking a giant form you destroyed the demons and accomplished the work of Lord Ramachandra.
Chaupai 11
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये।
श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये॥
Lāya sajīvana Lakhana jiyāye.
Śrī Raghubīra haraṣi ura lāye.
Bringing the sanjivani herb, you revived Lakshmana — and Shri Raghubir embraced you with joy.
Chaupai 12
रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई।
तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई॥
Raghupati kīnhī bahuta baṛāī.
Tuma mama priya Bharatahi sama bhāī.
Lord Rama praised you greatly: 'You are as dear to me as my brother Bharata.'
Chaupai 13
सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं।
अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं॥
Sahasa badana tumharo jasa gāvai~.
Asa kahi Śrīpati kaṇṭha lagāvai~.
'May the thousand-tongued (Shesha) sing your glory' — so saying, the Lord of Lakshmi embraced you.
Chaupai 14
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा।
नारद सारद सहित अहीसा॥
Sanakādika Brahmādi munīsā.
Nārada Sārada sahita Ahīsā.
Sanaka and the other sages, Brahma and other gods, Narada, Saraswati, and Sheshnaga —
Chaupai 15
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते।
कबि कोबिद कहि सकैं कहाँ ते॥
Jama Kubera digapāla jahā~ te.
Kabi kobida kahi sakai~ kahā~ te.
— Yama, Kubera, the guardians of the directions, the poets and scholars: how can any of them fully describe your glory?
Chaupai 16
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा।
राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा॥
Tuma upakāra Sugrīvahi~ kīnhā.
Rāma milāya rāja pada dīnhā.
You did Sugriva a great favour: by uniting him with Rama, you secured for him his kingdom.
Chaupai 17
तुम्हरो मंत्र बिभीषन माना।
लंकेश्वर भए सब जग जाना॥
Tumharo mantra Bibhīṣana mānā.
Laṅkeśvara bhae saba jaga jānā.
Vibhishana heeded your counsel and became the lord of Lanka — the whole world knows it.
Chaupai 18
जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानू।
लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू॥
Juga sahasra jojana para bhānū.
Līlyo tāhi madhura phala jānū.
Believing the sun — many thousands of yojanas away — to be a sweet fruit, you swallowed it.
Chaupai 19
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं।
जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं॥
Prabhu mudrikā meli mukha māhī~.
Jaladhi lā~ghi gaye acharaja nāhī~.
Carrying Rama's ring in your mouth, you leapt across the ocean — no wonder at all.
Chaupai 20
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते।
सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते॥
Durgama kāja jagata ke jete.
Sugama anugraha tumhare tete.
Every difficult task in the world becomes easy by your grace.
Chaupai 21
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे।
होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे॥
Rāma duāre tuma rakhavāre.
Hota na ājñā binu paisāre.
You are the guardian at Rama's door — none may enter without your permission.
Chaupai 22
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना।
तुम रच्छक काहू को डरना॥
Saba sukha lahai tumhārī saranā.
Tuma rachchhaka kāhū ko ḍaranā.
All joys are found in your refuge; with you as protector, what is there to fear?
Chaupai 23
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै।
तीनों लोक हाँक तें काँपै॥
Āpana teja samhāro āpai.
Tīno~ loka hā~ka te~ kā~pai.
Only you can hold back your own splendour — the three worlds tremble at your roar.
Chaupai 24
भूत पिशाच निकट नहिं आवै।
महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै॥
Bhūta piśācha nikaṭa nahi~ āvai.
Mahābīra jaba nāma sunāvai.
Ghosts and evil spirits dare not come near when Mahabir's name is uttered.
Chaupai 25
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा।
जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा॥
Nāsai roga harai saba pīrā.
Japata nirantara Hanumata bīrā.
Disease is destroyed and all pain removed by continuous chanting of the brave Hanuman.
Chaupai 26
संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै।
मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै॥
Saṅkaṭa te~ Hanumāna chhuṛāvai.
Mana krama bachana dhyāna jo lāvai.
Hanuman rescues from every calamity the one who fixes mind, deed, and word upon him.
Chaupai 27
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा।
तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा॥
Saba para Rāma tapasvī rājā.
Tina ke kāja sakala tuma sājā.
Rama is the supreme ascetic king above all, and you accomplished all his tasks.
Chaupai 28
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै।
सोई अमित जीवन फल पावै॥
Aura manoratha jo koī lāvai.
Soi amita jīvana phala pāvai.
Whoever brings any other wish before you receives the boundless fruit of life.
Chaupai 29
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा।
है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा॥
Chāro~ juga paratāpa tumhārā.
Hai parasiddha jagata ujiyārā.
Your majesty is renowned through all four ages — the famed light of the world.
Chaupai 30
साधु संत के तुम रखवारे।
असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे॥
Sādhu santa ke tuma rakhavāre.
Asura nikandana Rāma dulāre.
You are the guardian of the holy and the wise, the slayer of demons, the beloved of Rama.
Chaupai 31
अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता।
अस बर दीन जानकी माता॥
Aṣṭa siddhi nau nidhi ke dātā.
Asa bara dīna Jānakī mātā.
Bestower of the eight siddhis and the nine nidhis — such a boon Mother Janaki (Sita) granted you.
Chaupai 32
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा।
सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा॥
Rāma rasāyana tumhare pāsā.
Sadā raho Raghupati ke dāsā.
The elixir of Rama-devotion is yours; may you forever remain Raghupati's servant.
Chaupai 33
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै।
जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै॥
Tumhare bhajana Rāma ko pāvai.
Janama janama ke dukha bisarāvai.
Through devotion to you one attains Rama and forgets the sorrows of countless births.
Chaupai 34
अंत काल रघुबर पुर जाई।
जहाँ जन्म हरि भक्त कहाई॥
Anta kāla Raghubara pura jāī.
Jahā~ janma Hari bhakta kahāī.
At the final hour one goes to Rama's abode and is thereafter known as a devotee of Hari.
Chaupai 35
और देवता चित्त न धरई।
हनुमत सेइ सर्ब सुख करई॥
Aura devatā chitta na dharaī.
Hanumata sei sarba sukha karaī.
Even one who holds no other deity in mind, by serving Hanuman alone, obtains every happiness.
Chaupai 36
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा।
जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥
Saṅkaṭa kaṭai miṭai saba pīrā.
Jo sumirai Hanumata balabīrā.
Trouble is cut away and all pain ends for one who remembers the mighty hero Hanuman.
Chaupai 37
जय जय जय हनुमान गोसाईं।
कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं॥
Jaya jaya jaya Hanumāna gosāī~.
Kṛpā karahu gurudeva kī nāī~.
Victory, victory, victory to lord Hanuman! Show grace upon me as a guru shows upon a disciple.
Chaupai 38
जो शत बार पाठ कर कोई।
छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई॥
Jo śata bāra pāṭha kara koī.
Chhūṭahi bandi mahā sukha hoī.
Whoever recites this a hundred times is released from bondage and attains great happiness.
Chaupai 39
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा।
होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा॥
Jo yaha paṛhai Hanumāna chālīsā.
Hoya siddhi sākhī Gaurīsā.
Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa attains success — Shiva (the lord of Gauri) himself is witness.
Chaupai 40
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा।
कीजै नाथ हृदय महँ डेरा॥
Tulasīdāsa sadā Hari cherā.
Kījai nātha hṛdaya maha~ ḍerā.
Tulsidas, ever the servant of Hari, prays: O Lord, make your abode within my heart.
Closing Doha
Closing
पवनतनय संकट हरन, मंगल मूरति रूप।
राम लखन सीता सहित, हृदय बसहु सुर भूप॥
Pavanatanaya saṅkaṭa harana, maṅgala mūrati rūpa.
Rāma Lakhana Sītā sahita, hṛdaya basahu sura bhūpa.
O son of the wind, remover of suffering, embodiment of auspiciousness — dwell in my heart together with Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, O king of the gods.
🪔 May this recitation bring peace and protection.
Conclude with a moment of silence. Distribute prasad if you have prepared it.
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Benefits of recitation
- •Builds courage and steadies the mind in moments of fear or uncertainty.
- •Traditionally recited as a parihar (remedy) when Shani or Mangal periods feel heavy.
- •Cultivates focus — the cadence of the chaupais is naturally meditative.
- •Said to remove obstacles in work, study, and travel.
- •Recited as a daily sadhana (spiritual practice) for protection and discipline.
How to recite — traditional guidance
Best day
Tuesday and Saturday
Best time
Brahma muhurta (pre-dawn) or just after sunset
How many paaths
1 to 11 paaths in a sitting; 108 paaths for a full sankalp
- ·Take a bath and wear clean clothes before reciting.
- ·Sit facing east or north; light a diya with til (sesame) oil.
- ·Begin with a short prayer to your guru and to Lord Rama.
- ·Recite at a steady pace — clarity matters more than speed.
- ·Avoid non-vegetarian food and intoxicants on the days of recitation.
- ·Finish with the closing doha and a moment of silence.
Common questions
Who wrote the Hanuman Chalisa?
The Hanuman Chalisa was composed by Goswami Tulsidas in the 16th century, in Awadhi — the same poetic language he used for the Ramcharitmanas.
How many verses are in the Hanuman Chalisa?
The main body has 40 chaupais (hence chālīsā — 'forty'), framed by two opening dohas and one closing doha.
When should the Hanuman Chalisa be recited?
It is traditionally recited on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and most powerfully during Brahma muhurta (pre-dawn) or just after sunset. Many devotees also recite it daily as part of their morning sadhana.
What are the benefits of reciting the Hanuman Chalisa?
Reciters traditionally describe building courage, dissolving fear, easing the heaviness of difficult planetary periods (especially Shani sade-sati), removing obstacles, and steadying the mind. Tulsidas himself promises that 108 sincere recitations grant release from bondage.
Can the Hanuman Chalisa be recited by anyone?
Yes. There is no restriction by gender, age, or background. What matters is sincerity (bhāva) and attention.
Continue your practice
Verse text and verse order following the Gita Press canonical edition (Hanuman Chalisa, Geeta Press, Gorakhpur).