Hanuman Chalisa Meaning in English: Verse by Verse
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A verse-by-verse English meaning of the Hanuman Chalisa, with the Hindi text and the Ramayana story behind each line. Names such as Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Sugriva and Vibhishan are explained in the glossary.
Open the illustrated versionRead the meaning
- Name
- Hanuman Chalisa (हनुमान चालीसा); chalisa comes from chalis, forty
- Attributed to
- Tulsidas, poet-saint of the 16th to 17th century
- Language and script
- Awadhi, written in Devanagari
- Structure
- 2 opening dohas + 40 chaupais + 1 closing doha = 43 parts
- Subject
- Hanuman, devoted servant of Ram
- Time to recite
- About 5 to 10 minutes
- Traditional days
- Tuesday and Saturday
What the Hanuman Chalisa is about
The hymn praises Hanuman in three broad movements. The opening dohas ask the Guru and Hanuman for purity of mind, strength and wisdom. Chaupais 1 to 11 describe Hanuman's nature and his great deeds in the Ramayana: the tiny form before Sita, the burning of Lanka, and the bringing of the Sanjeevani herb. Chaupais 12 to 20 record the praise he received and the favours he did for Sugriva and Vibhishan. The remaining chaupais speak of his protection, his gifts to devotees and the fruits of reciting the hymn, ending with Tulsidas asking Hanuman to live in his heart.
Quick answers
What is the Hanuman Chalisa?
The Hanuman Chalisa is a 40-verse devotional hymn in praise of Lord Hanuman, the devoted servant of Ram. It is traditionally attributed to the poet-saint Tulsidas and is written in Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi.
Who wrote the Hanuman Chalisa?
The Hanuman Chalisa is traditionally attributed to Tulsidas, the poet-saint who also composed the Ramcharitmanas, a retelling of the Ramayana in Awadhi. He is believed to have lived in the 16th to 17th century.
How many verses does the Hanuman Chalisa have?
It has 40 chaupais (verses). Two opening dohas (couplets) come before them and one closing doha comes after, so the full text has 43 parts. The word chalisa comes from chalis, the Hindi word for forty.
What language is the Hanuman Chalisa in?
It is in Awadhi, a language closely related to Hindi, and is normally written in the Devanagari script. Roman transliteration and English and Hindi meanings are given on this site.
Verse-by-verse meaning
Doha 1
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज, निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि।
बरनउं रघुबर बिमल जसु, जो दायकु फल चारि॥
Shri Guru charan saroj raj, nija manu mukuru sudhari.
Baranau Raghubar bimal jasu, jo dayaku phal chari.
Meaning: Cleansing the mirror of my mind with the dust of my Guru's lotus feet, I describe the pure glory of Shri Ram, giver of the four fruits of life.
A prayer to the Guru. Before describing Ram's glory, the poet Tulsidas cleans the mirror of his mind with the dust of his Guru's feet. Ram's glory grants the four aims of life: dharma, artha, kama and moksha.
Doha 2
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके, सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार।
बल बुधि विद्या देहु मोहिं, हरहु कलेस बिकार॥
Buddhiheen tanu janike, sumirau Pavan-kumar.
Bal buddhi vidya dehu mohin, harahu kales bikar.
Meaning: Knowing myself lacking in wisdom, I remember the Son of the Wind. Grant me strength, intellect and knowledge, O Hanuman, and remove my flaws and sorrows.
Tulsidas admits his limited intellect and turns to Hanuman, son of the wind-god Pavan, asking for strength, wisdom and knowledge, and for freedom from faults and suffering.
Chaupai 1
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर।
जय कपीस तिहुं लोक उजागर॥
Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar.
Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar.
Meaning: Victory to Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue. Victory to the king of monkeys, whose glory lights up all three worlds.
The opening praise. Hanuman is called an ocean of knowledge and virtue, and 'Kapis', lord of the vanaras, famous in all three worlds.
Chaupai 2
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा।
अंजनि-पुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥
Ram doot atulit bal dhama.
Anjani-putra Pavansut nama.
Meaning: Messenger of Ram, abode of matchless strength, known as the son of Anjani and the Wind-god.
Hanuman is named as Ram's messenger and the son of Anjani and of the wind-god Pavan, which is why he is also called Anjaneya and Pavansut.
Chaupai 3
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी।
कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥
Mahabir Bikram Bajrangi.
Kumati nivar sumati ke sangi.
Meaning: Great hero, mighty and thunderbolt-bodied, remover of evil thoughts, companion of good sense.
'Bajrangi' refers to a body as strong as a thunderbolt (vajra). Hanuman is said to drive away bad thinking and to stay with good sense.
Chaupai 4
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा।
कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा॥
Kanchan baran biraj subesa.
Kanan kundal kunchit kesa.
Meaning: Golden of hue, beautifully adorned, with earrings and curly hair.
A description of Hanuman's appearance: golden in colour, finely dressed, wearing earrings, with curly hair.
Chaupai 5
हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै।
कांधे मूंज जनेऊ साजै॥
Hath bajra au dhwaja birajai.
Kandhe moonj janeu sajai.
Meaning: A thunderbolt mace and a flag shine in your hands; a sacred thread rests upon your shoulder.
Traditional iconography: a mace and a saffron flag in his hands, and a sacred thread of munja grass across the shoulder.
Chaupai 6
संकर सुवन केसरीनंदन।
तेज प्रताप महा जग बंदन॥
Sankar suvan Kesari nandan.
Tej pratap maha jag bandan.
Meaning: Manifestation of Shiva, delight of Kesari, your radiance and glory are honoured by the whole world.
Hanuman is called Shankar suvan, an incarnation of Shiva, and Kesari's son. His radiance and glory are honoured across the world.
Chaupai 7
विद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर।
राम काज करिबे को आतुर॥
Vidyavan guni ati chatur.
Ram kaj karibe ko atur.
Meaning: Learned, virtuous, and exceedingly clever, ever eager to accomplish Ram's work.
His learning, virtue and cleverness are praised, along with his constant eagerness to carry out Ram's work.
Chaupai 8
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया।
राम लखन सीता मन बसिया॥
Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiya.
Ram Lakhan Sita man basiya.
Meaning: You delight in hearing the Lord's deeds; Ram, Lakshman and Sita dwell in your heart.
Hanuman loves hearing the story of Ram (Prabhu charitra), and Ram, Lakshman and Sita live in his heart.
Chaupai 9
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा।
बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा॥
Sookshma roop dhari Siyahin dikhava.
Bikat roop dhari Lank jarava.
Meaning: Taking a tiny form you appeared before Sita; taking a fearsome form you burned Lanka.
Two episodes from the Sundara Kanda of the Ramayana: Hanuman took a tiny form to meet Sita in the Ashoka garden, then a huge form to set Lanka on fire.
Chaupai 10
भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे।
रामचंद्र के काज सँवारे॥
Bhim roop dhari asur sanhare.
Ramchandra ke kaj sanware.
Meaning: Taking a colossal form you destroyed demons, and accomplished the tasks of Ramchandra.
Assuming a gigantic form, Hanuman fought Ravana's demons in the war and helped fulfil Ram's tasks.
Chaupai 11
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये।
श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये॥
Lay Sajivan Lakhan jiyaye.
Shri Raghubir harashi ur laye.
Meaning: Bringing the life-giving herb, you revived Lakshman, and Ram embraced you with joy.
When Lakshman fell unconscious in battle, Hanuman brought the Sanjeevani herb, carrying the whole mountain, and revived him. Ram embraced him with joy.
Chaupai 12
रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई।
तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई॥
Raghupati kinhi bahut badai.
Tum mam priya Bharatahi sam bhai.
Meaning: Ram praised you greatly, saying: you are as dear to me as my brother Bharat.
Ram praises Hanuman warmly, saying he is as dear to him as his own brother Bharat.
Chaupai 13
सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं।
अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं॥
Sahas badan tumharo jas gavain.
As kahi Shripati kanth lagavain.
Meaning: May a thousand mouths sing your praise, said the Lord of Lakshmi, embracing you close.
Ram, called Shripati, the Lord of Lakshmi, embraces Hanuman and says that a thousand mouths would sing his glory.
Chaupai 14
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा।
नारद सारद सहित अहीसा॥
Sankadik Brahmadi Munisa.
Narad Sarad sahit Ahisa.
Meaning: Sanaka and the great sages, Brahma, Narada, Saraswati and Shesha the serpent king.
Great sages and gods, including Sanaka, Brahma, Narada, Saraswati and the serpent king Shesha, are said to sing Hanuman's praises.
Chaupai 15
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहां ते।
कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहां ते॥
Jam Kuber Digpal jahan te.
Kabi kobid kahi sake kahan te.
Meaning: Yama, Kubera, the guardians of the directions — even poets and scholars struggle to describe your glory.
Even Yama (death), Kubera (wealth), the guardians of the directions, and all poets and scholars cannot fully describe his glory.
Chaupai 16
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा।
राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा॥
Tum upkar Sugrivahin kinha.
Ram milay raj pad dinha.
Meaning: You did a great favour for Sugriva, uniting him with Ram and restoring his kingdom.
Hanuman introduced Sugriva to Ram, which led to Sugriva regaining his kingdom of Kishkindha.
Chaupai 17
तुम्हरो मंत्र बिभीषन माना।
लंकेस्वर भए सब जग जाना॥
Tumharo mantra Bibhishan mana.
Lankeshwar bhaye sab jag jana.
Meaning: Vibhishan accepted your counsel and became the king of Lanka, as the whole world knows.
Ravana's brother Vibhishana followed Hanuman's advice, took refuge with Ram, and became the king of Lanka.
Chaupai 18
जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानू।
लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू॥
Jug sahasra jojan par Bhanu.
Leelyo tahi madhur phal janu.
Meaning: The sun, thousands of leagues away, you swallowed thinking it a sweet fruit.
A famous childhood story: mistaking the distant sun for a sweet fruit, young Hanuman leapt up to swallow it.
Chaupai 19
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं।
जलधि लांघि गये अचरज नाहीं॥
Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahin.
Jaladhi langhi gaye acharaj nahin.
Meaning: Holding the Lord's ring in your mouth, you crossed the ocean — no wonder at all for you.
Carrying Ram's signet ring in his mouth, Hanuman leapt across the ocean to Lanka to find Sita.
Chaupai 20
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते।
सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते॥
Durgam kaj jagat ke jete.
Sugam anugrah tumhre tete.
Meaning: Every difficult task in this world becomes easy through your grace.
All the hard tasks of the world are said to become easy through Hanuman's grace.
Chaupai 21
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे।
होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे॥
Ram duare tum rakhavare.
Hot na agya binu paisare.
Meaning: You stand guard at Ram's door; none may enter without your leave.
Hanuman is the guardian at the door of Ram's abode, and no one enters without his permission.
Chaupai 22
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना।
तुम रच्छक काहू को डर ना॥
Sab sukh lahai tumhari sarna.
Tum rachchak kahu ko dar na.
Meaning: All happiness is found under your shelter; with you as protector, there is nothing to fear.
Those who take refuge in Hanuman find happiness, and with him as protector there is nothing to fear.
Chaupai 23
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै।
तीनों लोक हांक तें कांपै॥
Aapan tej samharo aapai.
Tinon lok hank te kanpai.
Meaning: You alone can contain your own splendour; your roar makes all three worlds tremble.
Only Hanuman can hold his own radiant energy, and his roar makes the three worlds tremble.
Chaupai 24
भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै।
महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै॥
Bhoot pisach nikat nahin avai.
Mahabir jab naam sunavai.
Meaning: Ghosts and evil spirits dare not come near when your mighty name is spoken.
Popular belief holds that ghosts and evil spirits do not come near where the name of Mahabir Hanuman is spoken.
Chaupai 25
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा।
जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा॥
Nasai rog harai sab peera.
Japat nirantar Hanumat beera.
Meaning: Illness fades and every pain is removed for one who constantly chants your name, brave Hanuman.
Constant chanting of Hanuman's name is traditionally believed to relieve suffering and ease pain.
Chaupai 26
संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै।
मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै॥
Sankat te Hanuman chhudavai.
Man kram bachan dhyan jo lavai.
Meaning: Hanuman frees from every trouble one who remembers him in thought, word and deed.
Hanuman is said to free from trouble those who remember him sincerely with mind, action and speech.
Chaupai 27
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा।
तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा॥
Sab par Ram tapasvi raja.
Tin ke kaj sakal tum saja.
Meaning: Ram is the ascetic king above all, yet it is you who fulfil all his works.
Ram is the supreme ascetic king, and it is Hanuman who carries out all of his work.
Chaupai 28
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै।
सोइ अमित जीवन फल पावै॥
Aur manorath jo koi lavai.
Soi amit jeevan phal pavai.
Meaning: Whatever wish anyone brings to you, they receive its fruit in abundance.
Any sincere wish brought to Hanuman is said to bear fruit in abundance.
Chaupai 29
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा।
है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा॥
Charon jug partap tumhara.
Hai parasiddha jagat ujiyara.
Meaning: Your glory shines through all four ages, celebrated and radiant across the world.
Hanuman's glory is said to shine through all four yugas: Satya, Treta, Dwapara and Kali.
Chaupai 30
साधु संत के तुम रखवारे।
असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे॥
Sadhu sant ke tum rakhavare.
Asur nikandan Ram dulare.
Meaning: You are the protector of saints and sages, destroyer of demons, beloved of Ram.
Hanuman is the protector of saints and sages, the destroyer of demons, and dear to Ram.
Chaupai 31
अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता।
अस बर दीन जानकी माता॥
Asht siddhi nau nidhi ke data.
As bar deen Janki mata.
Meaning: Mother Sita granted you the boon of bestowing the eight powers and nine treasures.
Mother Sita blessed Hanuman with the power to grant the eight siddhis and nine nidhis, the traditional spiritual powers and treasures.
Chaupai 32
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा।
सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा॥
Ram rasayan tumhare pasa.
Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa.
Meaning: You hold the elixir of devotion to Ram, and remain forever his faithful servant.
Hanuman holds the 'Ram rasayan', the elixir of devotion to Ram, and remains Ram's eternal servant.
Chaupai 33
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै।
जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै॥
Tumhare bhajan Ram ko pavai.
Janam janam ke dukh bisravai.
Meaning: Through devotion to you, one attains Ram, and forgets the sorrows of many lifetimes.
Devotion to Hanuman is said to lead one to Ram and dissolve the sorrows of many births.
Chaupai 34
अंत काल रघुबर पुर जाई।
जहां जन्म हरिभक्त कहाई॥
Ant kaal Raghubar pur jai.
Jahan janma Hari-bhakt kahai.
Meaning: At life's end, one goes to Ram's abode, and is forever known as his devotee.
At the end of life, a devotee is said to reach Ram's abode and be known as a devotee of Hari.
Chaupai 35
और देवता चित्त न धरई।
हनुमत सेइ सर्ब सुख करई॥
Aur devata chitt na dharai.
Hanumat sei sarb sukh karai.
Meaning: One need not turn the mind to any other deity — serving Hanuman brings every happiness.
Serving Hanuman is said to bring every happiness, with no need to seek any other deity.
Chaupai 36
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा।
जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥
Sankat katai mitai sab peera.
Jo sumirai Hanumat balbeera.
Meaning: Every trouble is cut away and all pain removed for one who remembers mighty Hanuman.
All troubles and pain are said to come to an end for those who remember the mighty Hanuman.
Chaupai 37
जय जय जय हनुमान गोसाईं।
कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं॥
Jai jai jai Hanuman Gosain.
Kripa karahu Gurudev ki nain.
Meaning: Victory, victory, victory to you, Lord Hanuman — bless me as a guru blesses a disciple.
A triple cry of victory to Lord Hanuman, asking him to bless the devotee as a guru blesses a disciple.
Chaupai 38
जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई।
छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई॥
Jo sat baar paath kar koi.
Chhootahi bandi maha sukh hoi.
Meaning: Whoever recites this a hundred times is freed from bondage and finds great joy.
Reciting the Chalisa a hundred times is traditionally believed to free one from bondage and bring great joy.
Chaupai 39
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा।
होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा॥
Jo yah padhai Hanuman Chalisa.
Hoy siddhi sakhi Gaurisa.
Meaning: Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa attains success, with Shiva himself as witness.
Whoever reads the Hanuman Chalisa is said to attain accomplishment, with Shiva, Gaurisa, the lord of Gauri, as witness.
Chaupai 40
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा।
कीजै नाथ हृदय महं डेरा॥
Tulsidas sada Hari chera.
Keejai Nath hriday mahn dera.
Meaning: Tulsidas, ever a servant of the Lord, prays: make your dwelling within my heart.
The poet Tulsidas signs the hymn as a servant of Hari and asks Hanuman to make his home in the devotee's heart.
Doha 3
पवनतनय संकट हरन, मंगल मूरति रूप।
राम लखन सीता सहित, हृदय बसहु सुर भूप॥
Pavantanay sankat haran, mangal murati roop.
Ram Lakhan Sita sahit, hriday basahu sur bhoop.
Meaning: O Son of the Wind, remover of troubles, embodiment of auspiciousness — dwell in my heart, together with Ram, Lakshman and Sita.
The closing prayer. Remover of troubles and embodiment of auspiciousness, may Hanuman dwell in the heart together with Ram, Lakshman and Sita.
More questions
What is the first line of the Hanuman Chalisa and what does it mean?
The first chaupai begins "Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar", which means "Victory to Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue." It is preceded by two opening dohas that invoke the Guru and ask Hanuman for strength and wisdom.
How long does it take to recite the Hanuman Chalisa?
A full recitation usually takes about five to ten minutes, depending on pace. The audio on this site runs about 8 minutes 46 seconds.
When should the Hanuman Chalisa be recited?
Many devotees recite it daily, often in the morning or evening. Tuesdays and Saturdays are traditionally considered special days for Hanuman worship. There is no single required time.
What is a chaupai?
A chaupai is a verse form of four short lines (quarters) common in Hindi and Awadhi poetry. In the Hanuman Chalisa each chaupai is usually printed as two lines, and there are 40 of them.
What is a doha?
A doha is a rhyming two-line couplet in Hindi poetry. The Hanuman Chalisa has three: two at the beginning and one at the end.
Is there a Hindi meaning (arth) of the Hanuman Chalisa?
Yes. Every verse on this site has a simple Hindi meaning (arth) as well as an English meaning. See the Hindi page: hanuman-chalisa-in-hindi.
What does Bajrangi mean?
Bajrangi (Bajrang Bali) means one whose body is as strong as a thunderbolt (vajra). It is a name of Hanuman used in the third chaupai.
Who is Hanuman?
Hanuman is a central figure of the Ramayana, remembered for his strength, wisdom and unwavering devotion to Ram. He is the son of Anjani and Kesari, and is also called Pavan-putra (son of the wind-god).