विष्णु चालीसा

Vishnu Chalisa

Composed by Traditional · All Chalisas

The Vishnu Chalisa is a forty-verse hymn to Lord Vishnu — the cosmic preserver, second of the Hindu Trimurti, who descends repeatedly as the ten avatars to restore dharma whenever it is threatened. The verses move through Vishnu's major manifestations: Ram, Varaha, Matsya, Kur…

Read the verses, meaning, and synced audio below →

Thursday belongs to Vishnu in Hindu tradition — the day of Brihaspati (Jupiter), the planet of wisdom and dharmic order. Many homes recite the Chalisa on Thursday mornings, keep a Brihaspativar vrat, and offer yellow flowers and turmeric water. The two monthly Ekadashi days are the major Vishnu fasts, with Vaikuntha Ekadashi in Margashirsha as the greatest of the year.

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Opening Doha

Doha 1

विष्णु सुनिए विनय, सेवक की चितलाय। कीरत कुछ वर्णन करूँ, दीजै ज्ञान बताय॥

Vishnu sunie vinay, sevak ki chitlaay. Kirat kuchh varnan karun, dijai gyan bataay.

Vishnu, hear the prayer of your servant with attention. Grant me wisdom that I may sing some part of your glory.

Chaupais (40)

Chaupai 1

नमो विष्णु भगवान खरारी। कष्ट नशावन अखिल बिहारी॥

Namo Vishnu Bhagwan Khrari. Kasht nashavan akhil bihari.

Salutations to Lord Vishnu, slayer of the demon Khara. Destroyer of all suffering, who pervades the entire universe.

Chaupai 2

प्रबल जगत में शक्ति तुम्हारी। त्रिभुवन फैल रही उजियारी॥

Prabal jagat mein shakti tumhari. Tribhuvan phail rahi ujiyari.

Mighty is your power in the world. Your radiance spreads across all three worlds.

Chaupai 3

सुन्दर रूप मनोहर सूरत। सरल स्वभाव मोहनी मूरत॥

Sundar roop manohar surat. Saral svabhav mohani murat.

Beautiful form, captivating face. Gentle nature, an enchanting image.

Chaupai 4

तन पर पीताम्बर अति सोहत। बैजन्ती माला मन मोहत॥

Tan par pitambar ati sohat. Vaijanti mala man mohat.

On your body the yellow silk shines beautifully. The Vaijanti garland captivates the mind.

Chaupai 5

शंख चक्र कर गदा बिराजे। देखत दैत्य असुर दल भाजे॥

Shankh chakra kar gada biraje. Dekhat daitya asur dal bhaje.

The conch, discus, and mace adorn your hands. Seeing them, the armies of demons flee.

Chaupai 6

सत्य धर्म मद लोभ न गाजे। काम क्रोध मद लोभ न छाजे॥

Satya dharma mad lobh na gaaje. Kaam krodh mad lobh na chhaaje.

Where truth and dharma reign, pride and greed do not roar. Lust, anger, intoxication, and greed cannot enter.

Chaupai 7

सन्तभक्त सज्जन मनरंजन। दनुज असुर दुष्टन दल गंजन॥

Sant-bhakt sajjan man-ranjan. Danuj asur dushtan dal ganjan.

You delight the hearts of saints, devotees, and the noble. You are the destroyer of the armies of demons and the wicked.

Chaupai 8

सुख उपजाय कष्ट सब भंजन। दोष मिटाय करत जन सज्जन॥

Sukh upjaay kasht sab bhanjan. Dosh mitaay karat jan sajjan.

You give rise to happiness and break every suffering. You wipe away faults and turn ordinary people into the noble.

Chaupai 9

पाप काट भव सिन्धु उतारण। कष्ट नाशकर भक्त उबारण॥

Paap kaat bhav-sindhu utaran. Kasht nashkar bhakt ubaran.

You cut sin and ferry beings across the ocean of worldly existence. You destroy suffering and lift up devotees.

Chaupai 10

करत अनेक रूप प्रभु धारण। केवल आप भक्ति के कारण॥

Karat anek roop Prabhu dharan. Keval aap bhakti ke karan.

You take on many forms, O Lord. All for the sake of your devotees alone.

Chaupai 11

धरणि धेनु बन तुमहिं पुकारा। तब तुम रूप राम का धारा॥

Dharani dhenu ban tumahin pukara. Tab tum roop Ram ka dhara.

When the earth, in the form of a cow, called out to you, you took on the form of Ram.

Chaupai 12

भार उतार असुर दल मारा। रावण आदिक को संहारा॥

Bhaar utaar asur dal mara. Ravan aadik ko sanhara.

You lifted the burden of the earth and slew the demon armies. You destroyed Ravana and the rest.

Chaupai 13

आप वाराह रूप बनाया। हिरण्याक्ष को मार गिराया॥

Aap Varah roop banaya. Hiranyaksh ko maar giraya.

You took the Varaha (boar) form and killed the demon Hiranyaksha.

Chaupai 14

धर मत्स्य तन सिन्धु बनाया। चौदह रतनन को निकलाया॥

Dhar Matsya tan sindhu banaya. Chaudah ratnan ko niklaya.

Taking the Matsya (fish) form, you traversed the cosmic ocean and brought forth the fourteen jewels.

Chaupai 15

अमिलख असुरन द्वन्द मचाया। रूप मोहनी आप दिखाया॥

Amilakh asuran dvand machaya. Roop Mohani aap dikhaya.

When the asuras created conflict over the nectar, you showed your Mohini form.

Chaupai 16

देवन को अमृत पान कराया। असुरन को छबि से बहलाया॥

Devan ko amrit paan karaya. Asuran ko chhabi se bahlaya.

You made the gods drink the nectar of immortality and distracted the asuras with your beauty.

Chaupai 17

कूर्म रूप धर सिन्धु मझाया। मन्द्राचल गिरि तुरत उठाया॥

Kurma roop dhar sindhu majhaya. Mandrachal giri turat uthaya.

Taking the Kurma (tortoise) form, you went into the ocean and immediately lifted Mount Mandara on your back.

Chaupai 18

शंकर का तुम फन्द छुड़ाया। भस्मासुर को रूप दिखाया॥

Shankar ka tum phand chhudaya. Bhasmasur ko roop dikhaya.

You freed Shankar (Shiva) from the trap by showing your Mohini form to the demon Bhasmasura.

Chaupai 19

वेदन को जब असुर डुबाया। कर प्रबन्ध उन्हें ढुँढवाया॥

Vedan ko jab asur dubaya. Kar prabandh unhen dhundhwaya.

When the demons submerged the Vedas, you arranged for them to be searched out and recovered.

Chaupai 20

मोहित बनकर खलहि नचाया। उसही कर से भस्म कराया॥

Mohit bankar khalhi nachaya. Usahi kar se bhasm karaya.

Bewitching the wicked one (Bhasmasura), you made him dance and had him reduced to ashes by his own hand.

Chaupai 21

असुर जलंधर अति बलदाई। शंकर से उन कीन्ह लड़ाई॥

Asur Jalandhar ati bal-dai. Shankar se un kinh lardai.

The demon Jalandhara was extremely powerful. He even challenged Shankar (Shiva) to battle.

Chaupai 22

हार पार शिव सकल बनाई। कीन सती से छल खल जाई॥

Haar paar Shiv sakal banai. Kin Sati se chhal khal jai.

Shiva's defeat seemed close. The wicked one then attempted deceit upon Vrinda, Jalandhara's wife.

Chaupai 23

सुमिरन कीन तुम्हें शिवरानी। बतलाई सब विपत कहानी॥

Sumiran kin tumhen Shiv-rani. Batlai sab vipat kahani.

Shiva's queen (Parvati) remembered you and told you the whole story of the calamity.

Chaupai 24

तब तुम बने मुनीश्वर ज्ञानी। वृन्दा की सब सुरति भुलानी॥

Tab tum bane muneshvar gyani. Vrinda ki sab surati bhulani.

You then took the form of a wise sage and caused Vrinda to forget her awareness.

Chaupai 25

देखत तीन दनुज शैतानी। वृन्दा आय तुम्हें लपटानी॥

Dekhat teen danuj shaitani. Vrinda aay tumhen laptani.

Seeing the demon's three deceits unfolding, Vrinda came and embraced you (mistaking you for her husband).

Chaupai 26

हो स्पर्श धर्म क्षति मानी। हना असुर उर शिव शैतानी॥

Ho sparsh dharma kshati mani. Hana asur ur Shiv shaitani.

By that touch, her dharma was breached, and so the demon's wickedness against Shiva was destroyed.

Chaupai 27

तुमने धुरू प्रहलाद उबारे। हिरणाकुश आदिक खल मारे॥

Tumne Dhruv Prahlad ubare. Hiranakush aadik khal mare.

You uplifted Dhruv and Prahlad. You killed the wicked Hiranyakashipu and others.

Chaupai 28

गणिका और अजामिल तारे। बहुत भक्त भव सिन्धु उतारे॥

Ganika aur Ajamil tare. Bahut bhakt bhav-sindhu utare.

You lifted the courtesan Ganika and Ajamila across. You ferried many devotees across the ocean of worldly existence.

Chaupai 29

हरहु सकल संताप हमारे। कृपा करहु हरि सिरजन हारे॥

Harahu sakal santap hamare. Kripa karahu Hari sirjan-hare.

Lift away all our sufferings. Show grace, Hari, creator-destroyer.

Chaupai 30

देखहुँ मैं निज दरश तुम्हारे। दीन बन्धु भक्तन हितकारे॥

Dekhahun main nij darash tumhare. Deen bandhu bhaktan hitkare.

Let me see your own form. Friend of the helpless, benefactor of devotees.

Chaupai 31

चहत आपका सेवक दर्शन। करहु दया अपनी मधुसूदन॥

Chahat aapka sevak darshan. Karahu daya apni Madhusudan.

Your servant longs for your darshan. Show your grace, O Madhusudan.

Chaupai 32

जानूं नहीं योग्य जप पूजन। होय यज्ञ स्तुति अनुमोदन॥

Janun nahin yogya jap pujan. Hoy yagya stuti anumodan.

I do not know the proper japa or worship. May my offerings, hymns, and prayers be accepted as they are.

Chaupai 33

शीलदया सन्तोष सुलक्षण। विदित नहीं व्रतबोध विलक्षण॥

Shil-daya santosh sulakshan. Vidit nahin vrat-bodh vilakshan.

I do not know the great virtues — patience, mercy, contentment. The deeper teaching of vows is unknown to me.

Chaupai 34

करहुँ आपका किस विधि पूजन। कुमति विलोक होत दुख भीषण॥

Karahun aapka kis vidhi pujan. Kumati vilok hot dukh bhishan.

How should I worship you? Looking at my own poor wisdom, I feel terrible sorrow.

Chaupai 35

करहुँ प्रणाम कौन विधिसुमिरण। कौन भाँति मैं करहुँ समर्पण॥

Karahun pranam kaun vidhisumiran. Kaun bhanti main karahun samarpan.

How should I bow, how should I remember you? In what way can I make my surrender to you?

Chaupai 36

सुर मुनि करत सदा सिवकाई। हर्षित रहत परम गति पाई॥

Sur muni karat sada sivkai. Harshit rahat param gati pai.

Gods and sages always serve you. They remain joyful, having attained the highest state.

Chaupai 37

दीन दुखिन पर सदा सहाई। निज जन जान लेव अपनाई॥

Deen dukhin par sada sahai. Nij jan jan lev apnai.

You are always the helper of the helpless and the suffering. You take to yourself those who turn to you.

Chaupai 38

पाप दोष संताप नशाओ। भव बन्धन से मुक्त कराओ॥

Paap dosh santap nashao. Bhav bandhan se mukt karao.

Destroy our sins, faults, and torments. Liberate us from the bondage of worldly existence.

Chaupai 39

सुत सम्पति दे सुख उपजाओ। निज चरनन का दास बनाओ॥

Sut sampati de sukh upjao. Nij charanan ka das banao.

Grant children and wealth, give rise to happiness. Make me a servant of your own feet.

Chaupai 40

निगम सदा ये विनय सुनावै। पढ़ै सुनै सो जन सुख पावै॥

Nigam sada ye vinay sunavai. Padhai sunai so jan sukh pavai.

The scriptures always sing this prayer. Whoever reads or hears it receives happiness.

🪔 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

•Anchor for daily Vaishnava household worship — covers all ten avatars in one recitation.
•Recited on Thursdays for wisdom, dharma, and Brihaspati grace.
•Central to Ekadashi fasting and Vaikuntha Ekadashi observance.
•Verses 27–28 name Dhruva, Prahlad, Ganika, and Ajamila — classical examples of devotees rescued from impossible situations.
•Foundation for avatar-specific Chalisas — Ram, Krishna, and Lakshmi worship.

How to recite — traditional guidance

Best day

Thursday (Brihaspativar), Ekadashi, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Anant Chaturdashi

Best time

Thursday morning at sunrise, or during Ekadashi fast

How many paaths

1, 11, or 16 paaths — 16 consecutive Thursdays for a specific intention

·Wear yellow; offer tulsi leaf, ghee diya, yellow flowers, and mishri or banana sweet.
·Sit facing east or north before a Vishnu or Lakshmi-Narayan murti.
·Begin with 'Om Namo Narayanaya' or 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya' three times.
·On Brihaspativar vrat, fast through the day and break with chana dal, banana, and kheer.
·Conclude with a tulsi offering and a moment of silent meditation.

Common questions

Why is the Vishnu Chalisa linked to Thursday?

Thursday belongs to Brihaspati (Jupiter) — the planet of wisdom and dharma — and to Vishnu as the cosmic dharma-preserver. Many households keep a weekly Brihaspativar vrat: fasting through the day, wearing yellow, and reciting the Chalisa eleven times in the morning.

How is the Vishnu Chalisa different from the Vishnu Sahasranamam?

The Vishnu Chalisa is a 40-verse Hindi hymn moving through Vishnu's avatars and the protection of devotees — the daily, accessible form taking about seven minutes. The Vishnu Sahasranamam is the 1000-name Sanskrit hymn from the Mahabharata, recited especially on Ekadashi and during major puja ceremonies.

Can anyone recite the Vishnu Chalisa?

Yes. The Chalisa was written for everyday recitation by ordinary householders. Verse 28 names Ganika the courtesan and Ajamila the sinner as equally redeemed by Vishnu's grace — the teaching is that no starting point is too low for Vishnu-bhakti.

Continue your practice

Vrat Calendar — Satyanarayan & Fasting Days

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Hanuman Chalisa

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Gayatri Mantra

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How Daanyam computes this

Daanyam computes Chalisa Library with Swiss Ephemeris (professional-grade ephemeris), Lahiri ayanāṃśa, and whole-sign houses where applicable — serving 10,000+ charts daily with ~95% agreement vs classical table checks in our audits. Classical framing draws on Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Phaladeepika, Jataka Parijata. See how we compute →

Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra — Classical Jyotish text on planetary significations and chart interpretation
Phaladeepika — Mantreswara's treatise on predictive astrology
Jataka Parijata — Vaidyanatha's compendium on birth chart analysis

Verse text and verse order cross-checked against Drik Panchang Shri Vishnu Chalisa (https://www.drikpanchang.com/lyrics/chalisa/lord-vishnu/shri-vishnu-chalisa.html); transliteration and English meanings prepared by Daanyam. Independent review found 38/40 chaupais clean; chaupai 26 (Jalandhara/Vrinda episode) has published textual variants and needs a second opinion before Cartesia synthesis — keep pending_verification until that resolves.

Benefits of recitation

•Anchor for daily Vaishnava household worship — covers all ten avatars in one recitation.

•Recited on Thursdays for wisdom, dharma, and Brihaspati grace.

•Central to Ekadashi fasting and Vaikuntha Ekadashi observance.

•Verses 27–28 name Dhruva, Prahlad, Ganika, and Ajamila — classical examples of devotees rescued from impossible situations.

•Foundation for avatar-specific Chalisas — Ram, Krishna, and Lakshmi worship.

How to recite — traditional guidance

Best day

Thursday (Brihaspativar), Ekadashi, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Anant Chaturdashi

Best time

Thursday morning at sunrise, or during Ekadashi fast

How many paaths

1, 11, or 16 paaths — 16 consecutive Thursdays for a specific intention

·Wear yellow; offer tulsi leaf, ghee diya, yellow flowers, and mishri or banana sweet.

·Sit facing east or north before a Vishnu or Lakshmi-Narayan murti.

·Begin with 'Om Namo Narayanaya' or 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya' three times.

·On Brihaspativar vrat, fast through the day and break with chana dal, banana, and kheer.

·Conclude with a tulsi offering and a moment of silent meditation.

Common questions

Why is the Vishnu Chalisa linked to Thursday?

How is the Vishnu Chalisa different from the Vishnu Sahasranamam?

Can anyone recite the Vishnu Chalisa?