Opening Dohas
1
Shri Guru Charan Saroj Raj, Nija manu Mukuru Sudhaari |
Baranau Raghubar Bimal Jasu, Jo Daayaku Phal Chaari ||
Meaning: Cleansing the mirror of my mind with the dust from my Guru's lotus feet, I sing the pure glory of Sri Rama โ the giver of the four fruits of life (dharma, artha, kama, moksha).
Note: Tulsidas begins not with Hanuman, but with his guru โ and with humility. The mind is a mirror; devotion is what wipes it clean.
2
Buddhi Heen Tanu Jaanike, Sumirau Pavan Kumaar |
Bal Buddhi Vidya Dehu Mohi, Harahu Kalesa Bikaar ||
Meaning: Knowing myself to be without wisdom, I remember you, O son of the Wind. Grant me strength, intelligence and knowledge โ and remove my sorrows and flaws.
Note: The honest prayer. He doesn't claim to be worthy. He says plainly: I have no wisdom. That admission is where devotion begins.
Verses 1 โ 10
3
Jai Hanuman gyaan gun saagar |
Jai Kapees tihun lok ujaagar ||
Meaning: Victory to Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue! Victory to the Lord of monkeys, who illuminates all three worlds.
4
Raam doot atulit bal dhaamaa |
Anjani-putra Pavanasut naamaa ||
Meaning: You are Rama's messenger, the abode of immeasurable strength. You are known as Anjani's son and the Son of the Wind.
5
Mahaabeer Bikram Bajrangee |
Kumati nivaar sumati ke sangee ||
Meaning: Great hero, mighty as a thunderbolt, with limbs like a diamond. You dispel evil thoughts and are the companion of good sense.
Note: Bajrangi โ 'vajra-limbed'. His body is as hard as a thunderbolt, yet his role here is gentle: to remove kumati (bad thinking).
6
Kanchan baran biraaj subesaa |
Kaanan kundal kunchit kesaa ||
Meaning: Golden-hued and splendidly adorned, with earrings and beautiful curly hair.
7
Haath bajra au dhvajaa biraajai |
Kaandhe moonj janeu saajai ||
Meaning: In your hands shine the mace and the flag; the sacred thread of munja grass adorns your shoulder.
8
Shankar suvan Kesari Nandan |
Tej prataap mahaa jag vandan ||
Meaning: You are an incarnation of Shiva and the son of Kesari. Your radiance and glory are worshipped by the whole world.
9
Vidyaavaan gunee ati chaatur |
Raam kaaj karibe ko aatur ||
Meaning: You are learned, virtuous and exceedingly clever โ always eager to do Rama's work.
Note: Notice the order. Learning and wisdom come before eagerness. Hanuman is not merely strong; he is intelligent, and Rama praised him for his speech.
10
Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiyaa |
Raam Lakhan Seeta man basiyaa ||
Meaning: You delight in listening to the Lord's story. Rama, Lakshmana and Sita dwell in your heart.
11
Sookshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhaawaa |
Bikat roop dhari Lank jaraawaa ||
Meaning: Taking a tiny form you appeared before Sita; taking a fearsome form you burned Lanka.
Note: The same being becomes small enough to sit unseen in a tree, and vast enough to set a city alight. Power is knowing which form the moment requires.
12
Bheem roop dhari asur sanhaare |
Raamachandra ke kaaj sanvaare ||
Meaning: Assuming a mighty form you destroyed the demons and accomplished Rama's tasks.
Verses 11 โ 20
13
Laaye Sajeevan Lakhan jiyaaye |
Shri Raghubeer harashi ur laaye ||
Meaning: You brought the Sanjeevani herb and revived Lakshmana; Sri Rama embraced you with joy.
Note: He didn't know which herb it was โ so he carried back the entire mountain. When in doubt, Hanuman does not do half a job.
14
Raghupati keenhee bahut badaayee |
Tum mam priya Bharat-hi sam bhaayee ||
Meaning: Rama praised you greatly, saying: 'You are as dear to me as my brother Bharata.'
15
Sahas badan tumharo jas gaavai |
As kahi Shripati kanth lagaavai ||
Meaning: 'The thousand-headed Shesha sings your glory' โ saying this, the Lord of Lakshmi embraced you.
16
Sanakaadik Brahmaadi Muneesaa |
Naarad Saarad sahit Aheesaa ||
Meaning: Sanaka and the sages, Brahma and the great rishis, Narada, Saraswati and the King of Serpents โ
17
Jam Kuber Digpaal jahaan te |
Kavi kovid kahi sake kahaan te ||
Meaning: Yama, Kubera and the guardians of the directions โ even poets and scholars cannot fully describe your glory.
18
Tum upkaar Sugreevahin keenhaa |
Raam milaay raaj pad deenhaa ||
Meaning: You did a great service to Sugriva โ you united him with Rama, and he regained his kingdom.
19
Tumharo mantra Vibheeshan maanaa |
Lankeshwar bhaye sab jag jaanaa ||
Meaning: Vibhishana heeded your counsel and became the Lord of Lanka โ as all the world knows.
20
Jug sahasra jojan par Bhaanu |
Leelyo taahi madhur phal jaanu ||
Meaning: The sun lies thousands of yojanas away โ yet you swallowed it, thinking it a sweet fruit.
Note: The famous verse about baby Hanuman leaping for the sun. A striking image of a child's fearlessness.
21
Prabhu mudrikaa meli mukh maaheen |
Jaladhi laanghi gaye achraj naaheen ||
Meaning: Carrying the Lord's ring in your mouth, you leapt across the ocean โ no wonder in that.
Note: 'No wonder in that' โ Tulsidas's quiet humour. For Hanuman, crossing an ocean is unremarkable.
22
Durgam kaaj jagat ke jete |
Sugam anugrah tumhre tete ||
Meaning: Whatever difficult tasks exist in this world โ they become easy by your grace.
Verses 21 โ 30
23
Raam duaare tum rakhvaare |
Hot na aagyaa binu paisaare ||
Meaning: You are the guardian at Rama's door; no one enters without your permission.
24
Sab sukh lahai tumhaaree sharnaa |
Tum rakshak kaahu ko dar naa ||
Meaning: All happiness is found in your refuge. When you protect, there is nothing to fear.
25
Aapan tej samhaaro aapai |
Teenon lok haank te kaanpai ||
Meaning: You alone can contain your own power; the three worlds tremble at your roar.
26
Bhoot pisaach nikat nahin aavai |
Mahaabeer jab naam sunaavai ||
Meaning: Evil spirits and demons dare not come near, when the name of the Great Hero is uttered.
27
Naasai rog harai sab peeraa |
Japat nirantar Hanumat Beeraa ||
Meaning: Disease is destroyed and all pain removed, by constantly chanting the name of the brave Hanuman.
Note: An important note: This expresses devotional faith. It is not a substitute for medical care โ please see a doctor when you are ill.
28
Sankat te Hanumaan chhudaavai |
Man kram bachan dhyaan jo laavai ||
Meaning: Hanuman frees from every trouble the one who remembers him in thought, word and deed.
29
Sab par Raam tapasvee raajaa |
Tin ke kaaj sakal tum saajaa ||
Meaning: Rama is the supreme ascetic king โ and you accomplished all his work.
30
Aur manorath jo koi laavai |
Soi amit jeevan phal paavai ||
Meaning: Whoever brings any desire to you obtains its abundant fruit in this life.
31
Chaaron jug prataap tumhaaraa |
Hai prasiddh jagat ujiyaaraa ||
Meaning: Your glory shines through all four ages; your fame illuminates the world.
32
Saadhu sant ke tum rakhvaare |
Asur nikandan Raam dulaare ||
Meaning: You are the protector of saints and sages, the destroyer of demons, and the beloved of Rama.
Verses 31 โ 40
33
Ashta siddhi nav nidhi ke daataa |
As bar deen Jaanakee Maataa ||
Meaning: You can grant the eight powers and the nine treasures โ such a boon was given to you by Mother Janaki (Sita).
34
Raam rasaayan tumhare paasaa |
Sadaa raho Raghupati ke daasaa ||
Meaning: You hold the elixir of Rama's devotion; you remain forever the servant of Raghupati.
Note: He was offered every power โ and chose to remain a servant. This is the heart of Hanuman: infinite strength, infinite humility.
35
Tumhare bhajan Raam ko paavai |
Janam janam ke dukh bisraavai ||
Meaning: By singing your praise one attains Rama, and the sorrows of many births are forgotten.
36
Ant kaal Raghubar pur jaayee |
Jahaan janma Hari-bhakt kahaayee ||
Meaning: At the end, one goes to Rama's abode โ or is born again as a devotee of Hari.
37
Aur devtaa chitt na dharayee |
Hanumat sei sarv sukh karayee ||
Meaning: One need not hold any other deity in mind; serving Hanuman brings all happiness.
38
Sankat katai mitai sab peeraa |
Jo sumirai Hanumat Balbeeraa ||
Meaning: All troubles are cut away and all pain removed, for whoever remembers the mighty Hanuman.
39
Jai Jai Jai Hanumaan Gosaaeen |
Kripaa karahu Gurudev kee naaeen ||
Meaning: Victory, victory, victory to Lord Hanuman! Bestow your grace upon me as my Guru would.
40
Jo shat baar paath kar koee |
Chhootahi bandi mahaa sukh hoee ||
Meaning: Whoever recites this a hundred times is freed from bondage and attains great happiness.
41
Jo yah padhai Hanumaan Chaaleesaa |
Hoy siddhi saakhee Gaureesaa ||
Meaning: Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa attains success โ Lord Shiva himself is witness to this.
42
Tulasidaas sadaa Hari cheraa |
Keejai Naath hridaya mah deraa ||
Meaning: Tulsidas is forever the servant of Hari. O Lord, please make your dwelling in my heart.
Note: The poet signs his name โ and asks for nothing but presence. Not wealth, not power. Only: live in my heart.
Closing Doha
43
Pavan Tanay Sankat Harana, Mangal Moorati Roop |
Raam Lakhan Seetaa Sahit, Hriday Basahu Sur Bhoop ||
Meaning: O Son of the Wind, remover of sorrows, embodiment of auspiciousness โ together with Rama, Lakshmana and Sita, please dwell in my heart, O King of Gods.
Note: How to recite: Traditionally on Tuesday or Saturday. Bathe, light a lamp before Hanuman, and recite with a calm mind.
But the Chalisa itself says the only requirement is man kram bachan โ thought, word and deed. Sincerity matters more than ritual.