Hanuman Chalisa - Significance, Benefits and Meaning

What is Hanuman Chalisa?

The Hanuman Chalisa is a collection of verses dedicated to Lord Hanuman, who is considered a symbol of devotion, strength, and loyalty in Hindu mythology. This 40-verse (Chalisa) composition, attributed to Tulsidas, one of the most revered poets in Indian history, dates back to the 16th century. The Hanuman Chalisa has been written in Awadhi which is a dialect of Hindi language. It is recited by millions of Hindus around the world on a daily basis.

The Hanuman Chalisa eloquently portrays Lord Hanuman’s virtues and glories. By using Hanuman as an example, it encourages and inspires everyone to develop sentiments of engaging in loving service to Lord Ram. The Hanuman Chalisa is a highly revered devotional hymn that occupies a significant place in Hindu worship.

What is the significance of Hanuman Chalisa?

The Hanuman Chalisa holds immense importance as it encompasses the profound wisdom of the Vedas and Puranas in its verses. People maintain the belief that through the recitation of Hanuman Chalisa verses, they can attain the same level of wisdom and devotion as Hanuman.

Hanuman is known to possess an infinite ocean of virtues and powers. His immense glories are beautifully encapsulated in the Hanuman Chalisa. It is said that chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa verses alongside with contemplating on their meaning, greatly helps in developing loving devotion to God. Devotees also hold the belief that reciting the Hanuman Chalisa grants them the strength to effortlessly overcome life's challenges and hardships.

The Hanuman Chalisa is highly significant as it not only supports spiritual growth and personal advancement but also brings people together, promoting unity within the Hindu community. Its popularity transcends both regional and language barriers.

What are the benefits of Hanuman Chalisa chanting?

By chanting the Hanuman Chalisa, individuals can experience profound spiritual, emotional, and psychological benefits that can have a transformative impact on their lives.

Strength and Courage. Hanuman symbolizes both physical and mental strength and blesses his devotes with the same virtues. Engage in repetitive chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa improves mental and physical strength.

Develop love for God. The verses of Hanuman Chalisa elucidate Hanuman's selfless love for Lord Ram. Reciting these verses cultivates similar devotional sentiments and brings people closer to God.

Protection and Blessings. People have faith that chanting the Chalisa blesses them with divine protection from misfortunes. It also helps to ward off harmful forces and attracts positivity.

Inner Peace and Wisdom. The verses offer valuable insights into overcoming difficulties, finding inner strength, and achieving spiritual progress. Reciting the Chalisa can also serve as a form of meditation, leading to inner tranquility and enhanced well-being.

Focus and Discipline. The act of repeatedly reciting the Chalisa may help cultivate concentration and mental discipline. These benefits can extend to various aspects of life, improving daily routines and fostering a sense of mindfulness.

Stress Control. During difficult times, relying on the protection of Hanuman can bring a sense of calm and help alleviate stress. Reciting Hanuman Chalisa repeatedly can effectively help in managing anxiety and negative thoughts.

What is the meaning of Hanuman Chalisa verses?

The elegance of the Hanuman Chalisa lies in its simple yet profound verses that hold deep spiritual meaning. In its entirety, the Hanuman Chalisa comprises 3 couplets (doha) and 40 quatrains (chaupai). At the start, there are two dohas, followed by a sequence of 40 chaupai, and concluding with one final doha. In the 40 chaupais, Goswami Tulsidas has brilliantly depicted the immense glories and virtues of Hanuman.

The chalisa begins with a prayer for the cleansing of the mind and invokes the divine grace of Lord Hanuman. It then narrates various important episodes from Hanuman's life, highlighting his immense strength, wisdom, devotion, and selfless service.

Chant the Hanuman Chalisa along with the famed Bollywood playback singer Richa Sharma, also Featuring Swami Mukundanada

Hanuman Chalisa verses with meanings

Doha #1

Shri Guru Charan Saroja Raj

Nij man mukuru sudharee

Barnau Raghubar Vimal Jasu

Jo daayaku phal chari 

After having purified my mind with the help of my Guru. I express the pure, untainted glory of Shri Raghuvar which bestows the fruit of our karma.

Doha #2

Buddhi Heen Tanu Jaanike

Sumirau Pavan Kumara

Bal buddhi Vidhya dehu mohein

Harahu Kalesha Vikaar 

Knowing that my intellect is limited, I pray to the son of wind god -Hanuman, to bestow strength, wisdom and knowledge upon me and remove all suffering being caused by the impure mind.

Chaupai #1

Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar

Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar 

I call out to Hanuman, who is the ocean of vast knowledge and whose glory illumines the three realms of material existence.

Chaupai #2

Ram doot atulita bal dhama

Anjani-putra Pavan sut nama

O Hanuman, you are the divine messenger of Lord Ram. You are an abode of strength (material, physical, spiritual). Your mother is Anjani and you are popular as the son of wind god.

Chaupai #3

Mahavir Vikram Bajrangi

Kumati nivar sumati Ke sangi

You are so brave and all powerful like thunderbolt. You bestow knowledge and destroy evil thoughts.

Chaupai # 4

Kanchan baran viraj subesa

Kanan Kundal Kunchit Kesa

Your complexion matches that of gold, and you are adorned with beautiful garments. You are wearing earrings, and your hair is curly.

Chaupai #5

Hath Vajra Aur Dhwaja Biraje

Kandhe moonj janeu saje

You are holding a mace and an orange flag of righteousness. Your shoulder is decorated with sacred thread made of munja grass.

Chaupai #6

Sankar suvan kesari Nandan

Tej pratap maha jag bandan

You are an avatar of Lord Shankar and born to King Kesari. Your majesty is worshipped throughout the universe.

Chaupai #7

Vidyavan guni ati chatur

Ram kaaj karibe ko aatur

 You possess vast knowledge, are virtuous and accomplished, and are always eager to fulfill Shri Ram's commands.

Chaupai #8

Prabhu charit sunibe ko rasiya

Ram Lakhan Sita man basiya

You're always so eager to listen to the stories of Lord Ram's life and character. Therefore, you always reside in the hearts of Shri Ram, Lakshman, and Sita.

Chaupai #9

Sukshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhava

Vikat roop dhari lank jarava

 You approached Mother Sita in a small and humble form and spoke to her with great humility. You assumed terrifying form and set Lanka ablaze.

Chaupai #10

Bhima roop dhari asur sanghare

Ramachandra ke kaaj savaare

With a massive form resembling that of Bheema, you destroyed the demons. You perform such great service for Lord Ram.

Chaupai #11

Laye sanjivan Lakhan jiyaye

Shri Raghubir harashi ur laye

You brought the herb Sanjivani from the mountains and saved Lakshman’s life. Lord Ram embraced you for accomplishing this challenging task.

Chaupai #12

Raghupati kinhi bahut badai

Tum mam priya Bharat-hi sam bhai

Lord Ram, upon seeing Lakshman alive, was overwhelmed with joy and extended his praise to you, accepting you as beloved as his brother Bharat.

Chaupai #13

Sahas badan tumharo jash gaave

Us kahi Shripati kanth lagaave

 All the beings may sing your glories, saying this Lord Ram embraced you.

Chaupai #14

Sankadik Brahmaadi Muneesa

Narad Sarad sahit aheesa

All the great sages, Gods, and Goddesses are praising Hanuman.

Chaupai #15

Jam Kuber Digpal Jahan te

Kabi kobid kahi sake kahan te

O Hanuman, you have exceptional powers. Your reach extends into the realms of Yam (god of death), Kuber (god of wealth) and to the four corners of the Universe. It is not possible for even great poets and scholars to comprehend and express your glories.

Chaupai #16

Tuma upkaar Sugreevaheen keenha

Ram milaaye raajpad deenha

 You did a great favor to Sugriv by uniting him with Lord Ram resulting in Sugriv’s coronation as the King.

Chaupai #17

Tumharo mantra Vibheeshana mana

Lankeshwar bhaye sab jag jana

By accepting your mantra of Ram’s name, Vibhishan too became the King of Lanka.

Chaupai #18

Jug sahastra jojan par Bhanu

Leelyo tahi madhur phal janu

As a child, you astonishingly swallowed the far away Sun, thinking of it as a sweet fruit.

Chaupai # 19

Prabhu mudrika meli mukha mahee

Jaladhi langhee gaye acharaja nahee

O Hanuman, it's no wonder that with Lord Ram's ring in your mouth, you could jump across the vast ocean to reach Lanka.

Couple #20

Durgam kaj jagat ke jete

Sugam anugraha tumahre tete

With your kind grace, even the most challenging tasks in the world become easier.

Chaupai #21

Ram dware tum rakhavare,

Hota na agyaa binu paisare

You're the guard at Shri Ram's Divine Abode, no one can enter without your permission.

Chaupai #22

Saba sukha lahe tumahari sarana

Tuma rakshak kahu ko darna

Those who take your refuge are rewarded with ultimate happiness and bliss. Under your protection, there is no room for fear.

Chaupai # 23

Aapan tej samharo aapai

Teeno loka hank te kanpai

Only you possess the strength to endure the sheer magnificence that radiates from you. At the sound of your roar, all three worlds begin to shake.

Chaupai # 24

Bhoot pisacha nikat nahnee aavai

Mahavir jaba naam sunaavai

Chanting your name keeps away the evil forces.

Chaupai # 25

Nase rog harai sab peera

Japat nirantar Hanumat beera

 O Hanuman, repeated chanting of your name removes all diseases and suffering.

Chaupai # 26

Sankat te Hanuman chudavai

Man kram bachan dhyaan jo lavai

By keeping you in all our thoughts, words and deeds, our material afflictions will get eradicated.

Chaupai #27

Sub par Ram tapasvee raja

Tin ke kaj sakal Tum saja

All who worship Ram with deep faith and devotion, You help them by removing all their obstacles.

Chaupai #28

Aur manorath jo koi lavai

Soi amita jeevan phal pavai

Those who come to you for fulfillment of devotional desires, they will attain salvation.

Chaupai # 29

Charaun jug partapa tumhara

Hai persidha jagat ujiyaara

Your grandeur and magnificence, which spans across all the four ages (yugas), encompasses the entire universe.

Chaupai # 30

Sadhu Sant ke tuma rakhaware

Asura nikandan Ram dulaare

You are the protector of Saints and Sages and destroyer of all Demons. You are a favorite of Lord Ram.

Chaupai # 31

Ashta siddhi nav nidhi ke data

Us bar deen Janaki mata

With a boon from Mother Sita, you have the power to confer spiritual powers upon your devotees.

Chaupai # 32

Ram rasayan tumahare pasaa

Sada raho Raghupati ke dasaa

O Hanuman! You have been bestowed with the Divine Love for Lord Ram, You will remain an eternal servant of Lord Ram.

Chaupai # 33

Tumahare bhajan Ram ko pavai

Janam janam ke dukha bisravai

O Hanuman! By engaging in your devotion , one can attain Lord Ram and become free from the accumulated sins of all past lives.

Chaupai # 34

Anta kaal Raghuber pur jayee

Jahan janma Hari-Bakhta kahayee

If one enters the divine abode of Lord Ram upon death, they will be reborn as a devoted follower of the Lord in all future births.

Chaupai #35

Aur devata Chita na dharahi

Hanumath sehi sarv sukha karahi

Ultimate happiness can be achieved solely through Hanuman's devotion, there is no need to please any other form of god.

Chaupai #36

Sankat kate mite sab peera

Jo sumirai Hanumat balbeera

Meditating upon mighty and courageous Hanuman, removes all obstacles and sufferings.

Chaupai #37

Jai Jai Jai Hanuman gosai

Kripa karahu Gurudev ki nayi

O Hanuman, please bless me as you are my Guru.

Chaupai #38

Jo sat bar path kar koi

Chutehi bandhi maha sukh hoi

Those who repeat Chalisa one hundred times break free from the cycle of life and death and attain supreme happiness.

Chaupai #39

Jo yaha padhe Hanuman Chalisa

Hoye siddhi sakhi Gaureesa

One who reads and recites this Hanuman Chalisa, all his works get accomplished. Lord Shiva, Himself, is the witness to it.

Chaupai #40

Tulasidas sada Hari chera

Keejai natha hirdaya maha dera

The writer Tulasidas is requesting Hanuman to always reside in his heart, as Tulasidas is an eternal servant of Lord Ram.

Doha #3

Pavantanaya sankata haran,

Mangal murati roop.

Ram Lakhan Sita sahita,

Hirdaya basahu sur bhoop.

O Hanuman! the son of wind god, vanquisher of obstacles, you are a symbol of auspiciousness. Come and reside in my heart along with Ram, Lakshman and Sita.

In conclusion, the benefits of chanting the Hanuman Chalisa extend beyond mere religious observance. It has profound implications for mental well-being, emotional stability, personal strength, and spiritual growth. Whether one is seeking solace from life's difficulties or striving for spiritual growth, the Hanuman Chalisa can serve as a powerful tool for transformation.