Hanuman Chalisa in English

In this article, we will explore the Hanuman Chalisa in English, providing a verse-by-verse translation to help readers understand the profound meaning behind each verse. Additionally, we will address some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the Hanuman Chalisa, shedding light on its significance and practice.

The Hanuman Chalisa is a devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Hanuman, a prominent deity in Hindu mythology. Composed by the 16th-century poet-saint Tulsidas, it is widely revered and chanted by millions of devotees around the world. The word “Chalisa” translates to “forty verses,” referring to the forty verses that make up this sacred prayer. It is believed that reciting the Hanuman Chalisa with devotion can invoke Lord Hanuman’s blessings and protection.

Hanuman Chalisa – A Sacred Forty Verses Hymn to Lord Hanuman

॥ दोहा (stanza) ॥

श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि ।
बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु जो दायकु फल चारि ॥

Shri guru charan saroj raj neej manu mukur sudhari ।
Baranu raghubar bimal jasu jo dayaku phal chari ॥

Meaning

With the dust of the your lotus feet, I clean the mirror of my mind. I narrate the pure glory of Lord Ram, who bestows the four fruits of life.

बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार ।
बल बुधि बिद्या देहु मोहिं हरहु कलेस बिकार ॥

Buddhi heen tanu janike sumero pavan kumar ।
Bal buddhi bidya deu mohi harau kales bikar ॥

Meaning
Thinking myself a fool I pray Lord Hanuman, the son of ‘The God of Winds’.
Give me strength, wisdom, knowledge so that I can remove misery and other bad/wrong things from my life.

॥ चौपाई (quatrain) ॥

॥०१॥
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर ।
जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर ॥

Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar ।
Jai kapis tihu lok ujagar ॥

Meaning
All hail Lord Hanuman ‘The Ocean of Wisdom & Virtue’.
All hail Lord Hanuman ‘The Monkey God’ the one who enlightens all three worlds.

॥०२॥
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा ।
अंजनी-पुत्र पवनसुत नामा ॥

Ram doot atulit bal dhama ।
Anjaani-putra pavan sut nama ॥

Meaning
You are the messenger of Lord Ram with incredible power & strength.
You are the son of Anjani (mother of Hanuman) and ‘The God of Winds’.

॥०३॥
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी ।
कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी ॥

Mahabir bikram Bajrangi ।
Kumati nivar sumati ke sangi ॥

Meaning
You are very courageous & fearless.
You are the destroyer of evil & the companion/defender of virtue.

॥०४॥
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा ।
कानन कुण्डल कुंचित केसा ॥

Kanchan baran biraj subesa ।
Kanan kundal kunchit kesa ॥

Meaning
You are the one having the perfect physique with golden shade & are neatly dressed
wearing earrings and having curly hair.

॥०५॥
हाथ बज्र और ध्वजा बिराजै ।
काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजै ॥

Hath bajra aur dhvaja biraje ।
Kaandhe munj janeu saje ॥

Meaning
You hold the thunderbolt and the ‘flag of good’ in your hand
and the sacred thread you wear across your shoulder looks stunning.

॥०६॥
संकर सुवन केसरी नंदन ।
तेज प्रताप महा जग बन्दन ॥

Sankar suvan Kesari nandan ।
Tej pratap maha jag bandan ॥

Meaning
You are the incarnation of Lord Shiva & are the orange colored joy & happiness.
You are loved & respected by the entire world for you might and glory.

॥०७॥
बिद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर ।
राम काज करिबे को आतुर ॥

Bidyavaan guni ati chatur । Ram kaj karibe ko aatur ॥

Meaning
You are the most knowledgeable, you are the most ethical with high moral standard & the wisest of all
and are always ready to do Lord Ram’s work.

॥०८॥
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया ।
राम लखन सीता मन बसिया

Prabhu charitra sunibe-ko rasiya ।
Ram Lakhan Sita maan basiya ॥

Meaning
You enjoy listening to Lord Ram’s life story.
As you always think about Lord Ram, Sita (Ram’s wife) & Laksham (Ram’s younger) they find a place in your heart.

॥०९॥
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा ।
बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा

Sukshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhava ।
Bikat roop dhari Lank jarava ॥

Meaning
You found Sita in Lanka & appeared in front of her in the miniature form of yourself
but then switched to aggressive mode burning down the entire Lanka .

॥१०॥
भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे ।
रामचन्द्र के काज सँवारे

Bhim roop dhari asur sahare ।
Ramachandra ke kaj savare ॥

Meaning
You took the form of a powerful gigantic warrior killing all demons
and accomplished the task assigned to you by Lord Rama.

॥११॥
लाय संजीवन लखन जियाये ।
श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये

Laye sanjivan Lakhan jiyaye ।
Shri Raghuvir harashi ur laye ॥

Meaning
You brought the Sanjeevani herb which was very difficult to get & saved the life of Lakshman (Ram’s brother).
Hence, Lord Ram’s heart was filled with joy & happiness.

॥१२॥
रघुपति किन्ही बहुत बड़ाई ।
तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई ॥

Raghupati kinhi bahut badhaee ।
Tum mam priye Bharat-hi-sam bhai ॥

Meaning
Lord Ram praised you a lot for the life saving act
& said that you are equally dearer to him as that of his brother Lakshman.

॥१३॥
सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं ।
अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं

Sahas badan tumharo jas gaave ।
Asa-kahi Shripati kantha lagave ॥

Meaning
Your success & glory will be praised & sung by millions of people
and saying so Lord Ram embraced you whole heartedly.

॥१४॥
सनकादिक ब्रम्हादि मुनीसा ।
नारद सारद सहित अहीसा

Sankadik brahmadi munisa ।
Narad-sarad sahit ahisa ॥

Meaning
The sages and the saints, Lord Bramha, Narad Muni,
Saraswati, Sheshnag along with all other gods sing your glory.

Lord Bramha – The Creator of Universe
Narad Muni – A sage with devotion to Lord Vishnu & a story teller
Saraswati – The goddess of knowledge, art, music & wisdom
Sheshnag – The Cosmic Serpent

॥१५॥
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते ।
कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहाँ ते

Jum Kuber digpaal jaha teh ।
Kabi Kovid kahi sake kahan teh ॥

Meaning
Yam, Kuber, Digpal
poets and scholars all praise you & sing your glory.

Yam/Yama – Gold of Death
Kuber – God of Wealth & prosperity
Digpal – The Guardians

॥१६॥
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा ।
राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा

Tum upkar Sugreevahi keenha ।
Ram milaye rajpad deenha ॥

Meaning
You helped Sugreev (The Monkey King)
by introducing him to Lord Ram which further helped him regain his kingdom.

॥१७॥
तुम्हरो मंत्र बिभीषन माना ।
लंकेस्वर भए सब जग जाना

Tumharo mantra Vibhishan maana ।
Lankeshvar bhaye sab jag jana ॥

Meaning
Vibhishan (brother of Ravan) followed your advice
& benefited from it as the whole world knows what happened to Lanka thereafter.
(Ravan was defeated & killed by Lord Ram & Lanka was burned down to ashes killing all the demons)

॥१८॥
जुग सहस्त्र जोजन पर भानु ।
लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू

Yug sahastra jojan par bhanu ।
Leelyo tahi madhur phaal janu ॥

Meaning
Sun which is sixteen thousand miles away from earth
you flew & sallowed him thinking it to be a fruit because of your incredible power.

॥१९॥
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं ।
जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं

Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahi ।
Jaladi langhi gaye achraj nahi ॥

Meaning
Carrying the ring of Lord Ram in your mouth
no wonder that you crossed the ocean with ease because of your power.

॥२०॥
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते ।
सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते

Durgaam kaj jagat ke jete ।
Sugam anugraha tumhre tete ॥

Meaning
You are the greatest difficult task master
& hence all difficult task become easy by your divine intervention.

॥२१॥
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे ।
होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे

Ram duwaare tum rakhvare ।
Hoat na adyna binu paisare ॥

Meaning
You are the guardian of Lord Ram’s kingdom
& hence no one can enter it without your permission.

॥२२॥
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना ।
तुम रच्छक काहू को डर ना ॥

Sab sukh lahe tumhari sarna ।
Tum rakshak kahu ko darna ॥

Meaning
By your blessing I shall enjoy all the happiness in my life.
As you are my protector why should I fear anyone.

॥२३॥
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै ।
तीनों लोक हाँक तें काँपै ॥

Aapan tej samharo aape ।
Teenho lok hank teh kanpe ॥

Meaning
You are the only one who can control your own power.
When you roar all three worlds shake with fear.

॥२४॥
भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै ।
महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै ॥

Bhoot pisaach nikat nahin aave ।
Mahabir jab naam sunave ॥

Meaning
No ghost or evil spirit shall come near me
as I take your name O super brave Lord Hanuman.

॥२५॥
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा ।
जपत निरन्तर हनुमत बीरा ॥

Nase rog hare sab peera ।
Japat nirantar Hanumant beera ॥

Meaning
All diseases & pains are destroyed
as one keeps on chanting your name continuously.

॥२६॥
संकट तें हनुमान छुडावे ।
मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै

Sankat se Hanuman chudave ।
Man karam bachan dyan jo lave ॥

Meaning
Lord Hanuman you rescue anyone from difficult situation
when the person meditates & invokes your name whole heartedly.

॥२७॥
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा ।
तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा ॥

Sab par Ram tapasvee raja ।
Teen ke kaj sakal tum saja ॥

Meaning
Though Lord Ram who is hailed as the king/master of all devotees in penances
yet you are the one who is Lord Ram’s care taker.

॥२८॥
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै ।
सोई अमित जीवन फल पावै ॥

Aur manorath jo koi lave ।
Soee amit jeevan phal pave ॥

Meaning
Anyone who comes to you with a request to fulfill his wish or desire
it is always fulfilled by you in the best possible way (given the fruit of life).

॥२९॥
चारो जुग परताप तुम्हारा ।
है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा ॥

Charo yug partap tumhara । Hoee parasiddha jagat ujiyara ॥

Meaning
Your glory is praised in all four ages & you are well known across the world.

॥३०॥
साधु सन्त के तुम रखवारे ।
असुर निकन्दन राम दुलारे ॥

Sadhu sant ke tum rakhware ।
Asur nikanandan Ram dulare ॥

Meaning
You are the saviour & guardian of all sages & saints.
You are the destroyer of demons & the dearest one of Lord Ram.

॥३१॥
अष्टसिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता ।
अस बर दीन जानकी माता ॥

Ashta-sidhi nav nidhi ke daata ।
Asabar deen Janki mata ॥

Meaning
You are the giver of eight supernatural powers & nine types of devotions.
You can do so as you were blessed by your mother Janaki with it.

॥३२॥
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा ।
सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा ॥

Ram rasayan tumhare pasa ।
Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa ॥32॥

Meaning
You have the ‘essence of devotion’ for Lord Ram.
May you always serve Lord Ram.

॥३३॥
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै ।
जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै ॥

Tumhare bhajan Ram ko paave ।
Janam-janam ke dukh bisrave ॥

Meaning
Devotion to you reaches Lord Ram OR is as good as devotion to Lord Ram.
It makes one forget or frees him from sorrows & pains for all his lives.

॥३४॥
अन्त काल रघुबर पुर जाई ।
जहाँ जन्म हरिभक्त कहाई ॥

Anth-kaal Raghubar pur jaee ।
Jaha janma Hari-bhakht kahaee ॥

Meaning
After dying one goes to the eternal humble home of Lord Ram.
& is reborn as earth a devotee of Lord.

॥३५॥
और देवता चित्त न धरई ।
हनुमत सेही सर्ब सुख करई

Aur devta chitta na dharaee ।
Hanumanth se he sarba sukh karaee ॥

Meaning
I am not worshiping any other god
as I believe that worshiping you itself will give me all the happiness I need.

॥३६॥
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा ।
जो सुमिरे हनुमत बलबीरा

Sankat kate-mite sab peera ।
Jo sumire Hanumat balbeera ॥

Meaning
All the suffering are destroyed & pains are removes
if one remembers or invokes or worships Lord Hanuman.

॥३७॥
जय जय जय हनुमान गोसाईं ।
कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं ॥

Jai Jai Jai Hanuman gosaee ।
Krupa karahu gurudev ki naee ॥

Meaning
All hail Lord Hanuman.
Please bless me & be my guru.

॥३८॥
जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई ।
छूटहि बन्दि महा सुख होई

Jo sath baar paath kar koi ।
Chuthee bandhi maha sukh hoee ॥

Meaning
Anyone who recites Hanuman Chalisa hundred times
will be free from all negative shackles of life & will be happy ever after.

॥३९॥
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा ।
होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा ॥

Jo yaha padhe Hanuman Chalisa ।
Hoye Siddhi Sakhi Gaurisa ॥

Meaning
The one who recites Hanuman Chalisa
shall be blessed with positive spiritual powers as promised by Lord Shiva.

॥४०॥
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा ।
कीजै नाथ हृदय मह डेरा

Tulsidas sada Hari chera ।
Keeje nath hridaye maha dera ॥

Meaning
Tulsidas who always wants to be the servant of Lord, prays
& asks him to stay in his heart forever.

॥ दोहा (couplet) ॥

पवनतनय संकट हरन मंगल मुर्ति रूप ।
राम लखन सीता सहित हृदय बसहु सुर भूप ॥

Pavan tanay sankat harana mangal murti roop । Ram Lakhan Sita sahit hriday basau sur bhuup ॥

Meaning
Lord Hanuman the son of the ‘The God of Winds’, the destroyer of all difficulties, the one who is auspicious.

FAQ

How many times should one read Hanuman Chalisa?

There is no specific rule to recite Hanuman Chalisa. The more you repeat, the more you become close to Lord Hanuman. Your mind should always be completely focused on the Chalisa while reciting to experience the grace of God.