Hanuman Chalisa

 

Shri Guru Charan Saroj Raj
Nij mane mukure sudhar
Varnao Raghuvar Vimal Jasu
Jo dayaku phal char

 

Having cleansed the mirror of my mind with the dust of the lotus feet of Sri Gurudev, I now proceed to describe the untarnished glory of Sri Ram which bestows four fruit (Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha).

Budhi Hin Tanu Janike
Sumirau Pavan Kumar
Bal budhi Vidya dehu mohe
Harahu Kalesa Vikar

Realizing the inadequacy of my intellect, I meditate upon you Hanumanji (son of the wind-god Vayu); grant me strength, intelligence and true knowledge, and remove all my hardship and blemishes. 

Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar
Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar

Victory to You O! Hanumanji, ocean of wisdom and virtue. Victory to You O! Hanumanji, enlightener of the three worlds. 

Ram doot atulit bal dhama
Anjani-putra Pavan sut nama

You are the messenger of Sri Rama, abode of immeasurable strength, and son of Anjani, known as Pavansuta. 

Mahavir Vikram Bajrangi
Kumati nivar sumati Ke sangi

You are a great hero of exceptional valour with a body as strong as a thunderbolt. You are the dispeller of wicked thoughts and a companion of good thoughts and wisdom.

Kanchan varan viraj subesa
Kanan Kundal Kunchit Kesa

You are golden color and wear fine clothes. You wear shining earrings and have beautiful curly hair. 

Hath Vajra Aur Dhuvaje Viraje
Kandhe moonj janehu sajai

You have the thunderbolt and flag in hand, whilst the sacred thread across your shoulder is made of sacred grass. 

Sankar suvan kesri Nandan
Tej pratap maha jag vandan

You are the incarnation of Lord Shiva and son of Kesari. With the lustre of your vast sway, you are propitiated all over the universe. 

Vidyavan guni ati chatur
Ram kaj karibe ko aatur

You are learned, virtuous and extremely intelligent and you are always eager to do the work of Sri Rama. 

Prabu charitra sunibe ko rasiya
Ram Lakhan Sita man Basiya

You delight in listening to the glories of the Lord and you have Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita residing in your mind. 

Sukshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhava
Vikat roop dhari lanka jarava

You assumed a subtle form when you revealed yourself to Sita; and by assuming an awesome form you burnt the whole city of Lanka. 

Bhima roop dhari asur sanghare
Ramachandra ke kaj sanvare

Then you assumed a gigantic form and destroyed the demons, thereby accomplishing the mission of Lord Rama. 

Laye Sanjivan Lakhan Jiyaye
Shri Raghuvir Harashi ur laye

When you brought the life-giving medicinal herb (sanjivini) and revived Lakshmana, Sri Ram embraced you joyfully. 

Raghupati Kinhi bahut badai
Tum mam priye Bharat-hi sam bhai

Sri Rama extolled you greatly and declared you to be as dear to Him as His brother Bharata. 

Sahas badan tumharo yash gaave
Us kahi Shripati kanth lagaave

Taking you into His embrace, Sri Rama stated that even Sesanaga (the thousand headed serpent) sings praises of your glory. 

Sankadik Brahmadi Muneesa
Narad Sarad sahit Aheesa

The sages Sanak, Sanatana, Sanandana, and Sanat Kumar, Brahmâ and other Gods, Lord Shiva, Nârada, Sarasvathi and Sesanaga. 

Yam Kuber Digpal Jahan te
Kavi kovid kahi sake kahan te

The God of death (Yamarâja), the God of wealth (Kubera), the guardian deities (Digpals) (: deputies guarding the four corners of the Universe), poets and scholars have all failed to adequately describe your glory. 

Tum upkar Sugreevahin keenha
Ram milaye rajpad deenha
Tumharo mantra Vibheeshan mana
Lankeshwar Bhaye Sub jag jana

You rendered an invaluable service to Sugriva by introducing him to Sri Rama and restoring him to the throne. The whole world knows that Vibhishana heeded your advice and became the lord of Lanka. 

Yug sahastra jojan par Bhanu
Yug sahastra jojan par Bhanu

You swallowed the sun from a distance of sixteen thousand miles, considering it to be a sweet fruit. 

Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahee
Jaladhi langhi gaye achraj nahee

Carrying the Lord's ring in your mouth, you crossed the ocean, there is no wonder in that. 

Durgaam kaj jagat ke jete
Sugam anugraha tumhre tete

All the difficult tasks of the world are rendered easily possible by your grace. 

Ram dware tum rakhvare
Hoat na agya binu paisare

You are the gate-keeper of Sri Rama's kingdom, where none may enter without your permission. 

Sub sukh lahai tumhari sarna
Tum rakshak kahu ko dar na

He who seeks refuge in you enjoys happiness. What is there to be afraid of if you are the protector? 

Aapan tej samharo aapai
Teenhon lok hank te kanpai

You alone are able to control your energy; all three worlds tremble before it. 

Bhoot pisach Nikat nahin aavai
Mahavir jab naam sunavai

No evil spirits dare approach one who utters your name as Mahavir (great warrior). 

Nase rog harai sab peera
Japat nirantar Hanumant beera

All diseases are destroyed and pains vanish when your powerful name is repeated incessantly. 

Sankat se Hanuman chudavai
Man Karam Vachan dyan jo lavai

Hanumanji frees from difficulties all those who contemplate upon him in thought, word and deed. 

Sub par Ram tapasvee raja
Tin ke kaj sakal Tum saja

You fulfilled all the missions of that Lord Rama who fulfills the divine desires of the devotees engaged in penance. 

Aur manorath jo koi lavai
Sohi amit jeevan phal pavai

And together with any other desires any devotee may have, they will ultimately secure the imperishable fruit. 

Charon Yug partap tumhara
Hai persidh jagat ujiyara

Your glory prevails throughout the four ages (Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga and Kali Yuga); and your fame radiates throughout the world. 

Sadhu Sant ke tum Rakhware
Asur nikandan Ram dulhare

You are the protector of the holy saints and sages, and, beloved of Rama, you destroy the demons (all evil forces). 

Ashta sidhi nav nidhi ke dhata
Us var deen Janki mata

Mother Sita granted you the boon that you will be the bestower of the eight supernatural powers ( Siddhis: power to become light and heavy at will) and the nine forms of wealth (Nidhis: riches, comfort, power, prestige, fame, sweet relationship etc.) 

Ram rasayan tumhare pasa
Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa

The essence of devotion to Sri Rama is with you; may you always be the servant of the Lord. 

Tumhare bhajan Ram ko pavai
Janam janam ke dukh bisravai

Through devotion to you one obtains Sri Rama and the sorrows of life after life are culminated. 

Anth kaal Raghuvir pur jayee
Jahan janam Hari-Bakht Kahayee

At the end of a lifespan of such devotion one goes to the abode of Sri Rama and is there known as a devotee of the Lord. 

Aur Devta Chit na dharehi
Hanumanth se hi sarve sukh karehi

All happiness is granted even to that devotee who worships no other deity apart from Hanumanji. 

Sankat kate mite sab peera
Jo sumirai Hanumat Balbeera

All difficulties and pains are removed for those who contemplate on the all powerful Hanumanji. 

Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosahin
Kripa Karahu Gurudev ki nyahin

Victory, victory, victory to you O Hanumanji; as our supreme Guru, give us your grace. 

Jo sat bar path kare kohi
Chutehi bandhi maha sukh hohi

He who recites this Chaalisa a hundred times is sure to be freed from worldly bondage and enjoy great happiness. 

Jo yah padhe Hanuman Chalisa
Hoye siddhi sakhi Gaureesa

He who reads Hanuman Chaalisa will become perfect, as Lord Shiva is the witness. 

Tulsidas sada hari chera
Keejai Das Hrdaye mein dera

Tulasidas always the servant of the Lord prays that the Lord takes residence in his heart. 

Pavantnai sankar haran,
Mangal murti roop.
Ram Lakhan Sita sahit,
Hrdaye basahu sur bhoop.

May Hanumanji, who removes difficulties, who has an auspicious form and is king of the Gods, dwell in my heart along with Sri Ram, Lakshmana and Sita. 

 

 Sri Hanuman Chalisa Mantra (12 min.)  
Return to Chapter 12a.

 

 

Further Reading on Hanuman

 

In the Assembly of Lord Indra, the Lord of Gods, amongst a number of beautiful nymphs, one was named Punjiksthala. She was very restive and intemperate by nature. Once she disturbed a sage in his meditation. The sage got annoyed and cursed her, "You have done an evil deed and because of this act, you shall be born in the form of a she-monkey in your next birth." 

Punjiksthala was shocked. She fell at the feet of the sage and cried, "0 sage! I beg your pardon. I have not offended you knowingly. I did not mean to disturb your meditation, or to insult you. Please show pity on me and take back the curse." The sage cooled down at the entreaties of Punjiksthala and taking pity on her, he said, "Alright! The curse cannot be undone. I can only reduce it to the extent that you shall be able to change your form to a human being at your will." 

In due course of time, Punjiksthala was born to Kunjar who was one of the chiefs of monkeys. She was named Anjana. Anjana was very beautiful as she had been in her earlier birth. When she grew up, she was married to another monkey-chief called Kesari. He was very strong and brave. 

When many years had passed, Kesari and Anjana got worried because no child had been born to them. At last they prayed to Shiva. They performed very hard penance. Shiva was pleased. He said, "You shall get a son who will he invincible. But for this, you have to seek the blessings of God Vayu, the Lord of Air. 

Then Anjana started worshipping God Vayu. When the god was pleased, he appeared before her and said, "I am happy with your faith in me. Your wish will be granted. I, myself, shall be born to you. Thus your desire will be fulfilled." Kesari and Anjana were delighted that their wish was to be fulfilled and were going to get a son. 

It is mentioned in many religious books that when he was born, he was wearing golden earrings. He had a cap on his head, which was decorated with rare jewels. Holy thread, Yagyopawit, was around his neck. The color of his body, eyes and hair was golden yellow and a mace in one of his hands. He is also called the eleventh incarnation of Lord Shiva. 

Now, here is given the legend which relates how he came to be named 'Lord Hanuman': Once, while the son of Anjana was an infant, he was put in a cradle. She went out of the house on some errand. The child probably felt hungry or saw the sun in the sky and considered that to be a toy. He began to jump and leap up to get the sun. He, being the son of god Vayu, had immense energy. He leapt up and started flying into the sky. The god Vayu saw it and accompanied his son to protect him from the heat of the sun. He turned the hot air into a cool breeze. 

Rahu, a demigod, was also heading towards the sun to eclipse him as that was a day of Amavasya. He saw the child going in the direction of the sun but did not think of him. When the son of the Vayu found Rahu within his reach, he pounced upon Rahu and grasped him in one of his hands. 

Rahu was non-plussed. He did not know what to do. He was merely dumbfounded. Having caught Rahu by the hair and head,  Hanuman stood there fearlessly for some time. He stood cross-legged with the tip of his mace resting on the earth. Rahu exerted his full might to free himself from Hanuman's clutches. 

The grip was very strong. With great difficulty, he freed himself and ran to Lord Indra, the king of gods, for rescue. He said, "0 Lord of gods. As commanded by you, when today I was going to eclipse the sun, another Rahu rushed to eat me up. It cannot be without you permission or order. Why have you put me in such a distress?" 

Lord Indra was non-plussed at what Rahu had said, "Who has the courage to eclipse the sun or eat Rahu ?" He rode his divine elephant Airavat and rushed towards that child. Lord Indra was frightened and shaken to find the child ready to attack him. He threw Vajra, Lord Indra's heavenly weapon, bolt. The bolt did not do the child much harm. He was injured and a bone of his chin was broken. This is how he came to be called "Lord Hanuman". 

Due to injury to his chin, Hanuman fell unconscious on the ground. His father, the god Vayu, took him to a cave and was greatly grieved. This resulted in the stoppage of air in the atmosphere. No living being could breathe. All the gods, including Indra, led by Brahmâ, the creator, approached god Vayu in the cave. 

No one can live without air even for a moment. But as long as the airs blows, nobody understands the importance of air. The moment it stops blowing, every creature feels suffocated. 

Vayu lamented and explained to them what had happened. Brahmâ caressed Hanuman's body gently. He regained consciousness. His father's grief and anger subsided. Air began to blow again. Brahmâ granted Hanuman a boon that he would never be injured by any weapon. He asked other gods also to bless Hanuman with divine powers. He said, "Bless him and he will always help you when none would stand by you." All the gods granted him boons one by one. 

Lord Indra put a garland of heavenly flowers around Hanuman's neck and promised that in future Vajra would not affect him. The Sun god offered to educate him and granted him a portion of his brilliance. Kuber, the Lord of Yakshas, presented him with his mace. Shiva also granted him protection from his divine weapons. Brahma made him invincible and gave the power to change his form and size. He could go anywhere. Power to perform miracles too was bestowed upon him. 

Thus Hanuman's adversity in his childhood became a blessing in disguise for him. He was armed with all the subtle and divine powers, which made him unique and peerless. 

Hanuman was a very restless and naughty boy. Great affection and protection given to him by the gods, spoilt him. He did not know what fear is. He played and fought with lions and elephants. He would never let the strong to bully the weak. He roamed about the hermitages of the sages and disturbed them in their meditation. He threw away their utensils and hung their seating mattresses or the high branches of trees. They complained to his parents who could not keep him under control. 

At last a sage, in a fit of anger, cursed Hanuman, "0 brave one! You are misusing your strength. As no other way is left, you shall not know the limit of your vigor and strength. Whenever needed you shall have to be invoked to do so. This is in the interest of yourself as well as others." Only God knows whether it was a curse or a boon. Hanuman was now very sober. Instead of teasing others, he began to help the sages in their daily chores. His parents and the hermits were very happy with him. 

He had grown enough to begin his education. So his parents asked him to go to the sun god to get his education. 

His mother Anjana reminded him that he had as a child leapt into the sky to catch the sun. As soon as he was made to recall, he jumped high in the sky and flew away towards the sun. There he presented his salutations and said, "0 Master! my name is Lord Hanuman. I am Anjana's son. As directed by her, I submit myself to you to grant me all the knowledge I should possess." 

The sun god taught him Vedas, Holy Scriptures and other disciplines. Having learnt and absorbed all the teachings of his teacher, Hanuman prostrated before him and said, "My venerable teacher! By the grace of your blessings, I know the path of righteousness and duties meant for me. Now, what should I offer you in return what you deserve and desire?" 

The Sun god replied, "Do one thing. Always take care of and protect Sugriva the younger brother of Bali, the monkey-king. He is born out of a portion of myself. 

I foresee that very soon he is going to fall on very bad days and would need your help." Hanuman promised never to forget it and returned to his parents. His father advised him to go to Pampapur. This place was known as a center of learning and training in politics. There he came in contact with Sugriva. They became very intimate friends. 

After the death of Bali, Sugriva became the king of Kishkindha. Bali and Sugriva were brothers. They loved each other very much. In the course of time, it so happened that they became archenemies. Here is the story: 

Bali was very strong and brave. His younger brother Sugriva treated him as his father. Bali was so powerful and valiant that demons, living near Kishkindha, never dared to enter his kingdom. Once a demon thought himself stronger than anyone. He came near Bali's palace and shouted, "0 monkey-king! Why are you hiding yourself? If you have the courage to face me, come out and fight with me. I shall teach you what bravery is." Bali was annoyed at the way he was challenged by a demon. He came out of his palace to punish him for his insolence. Sugriva followed his brother. 

He wished to help his elder brother Bali. It was the dead of night. Sugriva knew that the power of a demon increased at night. So he might come to the rescue of his elder brother in the hour of dire deed. 

As soon as the demon saw Bali, he came to his senses. He fled in fear. But Bali had made up his mind to kill him. To save himself from Bali's wrath, the demon entered into an aperture he found in the grounds. Bali saw him doing so. He said to Sugriva, "I am going into this hole to chase the demon. Wait for me here. I shall be back after killing him. It may take some time. So, do not worry." 

Saying this, Bali went inside the hole. As asked by his brother, Sugriva kept waiting for him for many days. When many weeks passed but Bali did not turn up, Sugriva was worried. He thought Bali had been killed by the demon. He put a rock at the mouth of the aperture so that the demon could not come out. He returned to Kishkindha dejected. When the ministers of Kishkindha saw Sugriva badly shaken and crest-fallen, they understood what had happened. They made Sugriva the king because Bali's son Angad was too young to rule the state. After sometime, Bali reappeared at Kishkindha after slaying the demon. When he found Sugriva was the king, shocked and agitated he came to the conclusion that his brother had deliberately put the rock to close the way out of the tunnel under the ground to cause his death. 

Bali was in great rage. He said, "Sugriva, you are not my brother, rather an enemy. You rascal! You wished me to be dead to become the king yourself. I shall punish you and not let you live anymore." 

Sugriva tried his best to explain and request his brother to calm down, as never had such an idea. Bali did not listen to him. Sugriva was pained at Bali's behavior that he loved and respected very much. Bali turned him out of his kingdom and detained his wife as a punishment to Sugriva. He even rushed towards him to kill him. Sugriva knew well how strong Bali was. He ran away. Hanuman accompanied him. After having run for long, Sugriva and Lord Hanuman entered the hermitage of sage Matanga. Bali had to stop there, as he could not enter that place. Bali had been cursed once by the sage for some disrespect, shown by Bali to him, that he would die the moment he touched the inside of his hermitage. Sage Matanga lived at the Rishyamuk mountain. In this abode of that sage, Sugriva was safe. Though he was passing through a very bad period, yet he had the good luck of Hanuman's friendship.  Hanuman was a great help to him in organizing a small group of well-wishers.

Return to Chapter 12a.

For the continuing story, see Chapter 4a: An Ally accepted, in this Vahini. 

 

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