Learning The Hanuman Chalisa

During the 10-lessons of this course, we will journey together through the prayer, a few verses at a time in sections. You can practice at your own pace until you become comfortable with each section of verses, add them on cumulatively, and also if needed return back to sections for reference. Spoken Word Opening and Chanting with Melody of Doha - This couplet is how we set our intention and enter into the practice of chanting the 40 verses of the Hanuman Chalisa. maṅgala mūrati māruta nandana sakala amaṅgala mūla nikandana Son of the Wind, embodiment of blessings and joy, you destroy the root of all that is inauspicious. shrī guru charaṇ saroja raja nija mana mukura sudhāri baraṇau raghubara bimala jasu jo dāyaka phala chāri Having polished the mirror of my heart with the dust from my Guru’s lotus feet, I sing the pure fame of the best of Raghus, which bestows the four fruits of life. buddhihīna tanu jānike sumiraũ pavana kumār bala buddhi vidyā dehu mohĩ harahu kalesha bikār I know I have no intelligence, I recall the Son of the Wind. Please give me strength, intelligence, and wisdom and remove my suffering and impurities. siyā vara rāmachandra pada jaya sharanam Hail to the refuge of the feet of Sita’s husband, Ramachandra. Please note that this is a slightly simplified transliteration where certain subtle distinctions in the sounds from ‘s’ and ‘sh’ have been simplified from a strict sanskrit/devnagari transliteration. The same goees for nasalized ‘n’ and ‘m’ which have been shown as nasalized ‘n’ sounds. Also, the letters ‘y’ and ‘j’ can be used interchangeably. The same goes for the letters ‘b’ and ‘v’ which are also interchanged. Transliteration Guide: a – short ‘a’ as in ‘alive’ ā - long ‘a’ as in ‘car’ i – as in ‘lip’ ī - as in ‘machine’ u – as in ‘put’ ū - as in ‘rule’ e – as in ‘café’ ai – as in ‘Nancy’ o – as in ‘boat’ au – as in ‘caught’ ã, ẽ, ĩ, õ, ũ – nazalized vowels ḍ - as in ‘drudgery’ (tongue starts from the hard palate) ḍha – aspirated form of ḍ kṛ – as in critic ṁ – as in ‘simple’ ṅ – as in ‘ink’ ṇ – as in ‘under’ ñ – as in ‘inch’ ph – as in ‘apple’, not ‘phone’ ṛ – no English equivalent (tongue flaps down from the hard palate making a hard ‘r’ sound) ṛh – aspirated form of ṛ th – as in ‘tough’, not ‘thin’ ṭ – as in ‘train’, but harder ṭh – as in ‘at home’

After having chanted the introductory lines and doha in Lesson 1, we get into the 40 verses from Lesson 2 to Lesson 8 in sections, in Lesson 9 we have the full spoken recitation which includes the opening and closing lines along with the 40-verses. In Lesson 10 is your opportunity to sing the Hanuman Chalisa with a melody and musical accompaniment. 1. jaya hanumāna jñāna guṇa sāgar jaya kapīsa tihũ loka ujāgar Glory to you Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue. Hail to the Lord of the Monkeys, the illuminator of the three worlds. 2. rāma dūta atulita bala dhāmā añjani putra pavanasuta nāmā Ram’s emissary, abode of matchless power, Anjani’s son, named Son of the Wind. 3. mahābīra bikrama bajaraṅgī kumati nivāra sumati ke saṅgī Great hero, mighty as a thunderbolt, remover of negative thoughts and companion to the good. 4. kañchana barana birāja subesā kānana kuṇḍala kuñchita kesa Golden hued and splendidly adorned with heavy earrings and curly locks. 5. hātha vajra au dhvajā birājai kāṅdhe mūnja jane-ū sājai In your hands shine mace and a banner; a sacred thread of munja grass adorns your shoulder. 6. shaṅkara suvana kesarī nandana teja pratāpa mahā jaga bandana You are Siva’s incarnation and Kesari’s son – your glory is renowned throughout the world.

7. vidyāvāna guṇī ati chātura rāma kāja karibe ko ātura You are the supremely wise, virtuous, and clever. You are ever intent on Ram’s work. 8. prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiyā rāma lakhana sītā mana basiyā You delight in hearing of the Lord’s deeds. Ram, Lakshman, and Sita dwell in your heart. 9. sūkshma rūpa dhari siyahĩ dikhāvā bikaṭa rūpa dhari laṇka jarāvā Assuming a tiny form you appeared to Sita, and in awesome guise, you burned Lanka. 10. bhīma rūpa dhari asura saṅhāre rāmachandraji ke kāja saṅvāre Taking a dreadful form, you slaughtered the demons and completed Lord Ram’s mission. 11. lāya sajīvana lakhana jiyāye shrī raghubīra harashi ura lāye Bringing the life-giving sajivana herb, you revived Lakshman, and Shri Ram joyfully embraced you. 12. raghupati kīnhī bahuta baṛā-ī tuma mama priya bharatahi sama bhā-ī Greatly did the Lord of Raghus praise you saying, “You are as dear to me as my brother Bharat.”

13. sahasa badana tumharo jasa gāvaĩ asa kahi shrīpati kaṇṭha lagāvaĩ “Thousands of mouths sing your praise,” so saying, Sita’s Lord drew you to himself. 14. sanakādika brahmādi munīsā nārada shārada sahita ahīsā Sanak and the sages, gods, Brahma, great saints, Narada, Sharada, and king of the serpents, 15. yama kubera digapāla jahāṅ te kabi kobida kahi sake kahāṅ te Yama, Kubera, and the guardians of the quadrants, poets and scholars – none can express your glory. 16. tuma upakāra sugrīvahĩ kīnhā rāma milāya rājapada dīnhā You rendered great service to Sugriva. Introducing him to Lord Ram, you gave him kingship. 17. tumharo mantra vibhīshana mānā laṇkeshvara bha-e saba jaga jānā Vibhishana heeded your counsel and became the lord of Lanka as all the world knows. 18. yuga sahasra yojana para bhānū līlyo tāhi madhura phala jānū Even though the sun is millions of miles away, you swallowed it, thinking it to be a sweet fruit.

19. prabhu mudrikā meli mukha māhīṅ jaladhi lāṇghi gaye acharaja nāhīṅ Holding the Lord’s ring in your mouth, it is no surprise you leapt over the ocean. 20. durgama kāja jagata ke jete sugama anugraha tumhare tete Every arduous task in this world becomes easy by your grace. 21. rāma duāre tuma rakhavāre hota na ājñā binu paisāre You are the guardian at the door of Ram’s abode, no one enters without your leave. 22. saba sukha lahai tumhārī sharanā tuma rakshaka kāhū ko ḍara nā Taking refuge in you, one finds complete contentment. Those you protect know no fear. 23. āpana teja samhārau āpai tīnõ loka hāṅka tẽ kāṅpai You alone can withstand your own splendor. The three worlds tremble at your roar. 24. bhūta pisācha nikaṭa nahĩ āvai mahābīra jaba nāma sunāvai Ghosts and goblins cannot come near, great hero, when your name is uttered.

25. nāsai roga hare saba pīrā japata nirantara hanumata bīrā All disease and pain are eradicated by the constant repetition of your name. 26. saṇkaṭa se hanumāna chhuṛāvai mana krama bachana dhyāna jo lāvai Hanuman releases from affliction those who remember him in thought, word and deed. 27. saba para rāma tapasvī rājā tina ke kāja sakala tuma sājā Ram the renunciate king reigns over all. You carry out all his work. 28. aura manoratha jo ko-ī lāvai so-ī amita jīvana phala pāvai One who brings any yearning to you obtains the four fruits of life. 29. chārõ yuga paratāpa tumhārā hai parasiddha jagata ujiyārā Your splendor fills the four ages; your glory lights up the world. 30. sādhu santa ke tuma rakhavāre asura nikandana rāma dulāre You are the protector of saints and sages, the destroyer of demons, and the darling of Ram.

31. ashṭa siddhi nau nidhi ke dātā asa bara dīna jānakī mātā You grant the eight powers and the nine treasures by the boon you received from Mother Janaki [Sita]. 32. rāma rasāyana tūmhare pāsā sadā raho raghupati ke dāsā You hold the elixir of Ram’s name and are forever his servant. 33. tumhare bhajana rāmajī ko pāvai janma janma ke duḥkha bisarāvai Singing your praise, one finds Ram and the sorrows of lifetimes are left behind. 34. anta kāla raghubara pura jā-ī jahāṅ janma hari-bhakta kahā-ī At death, one goes to Ram’s own abode, born as God’s devotee. 35. aura devatā chitta na dhara-ī hanumata se-i sarva sukha kara-ī There is no need to remember any other deity; worshiping Hanuman one gains all happiness. 36. sankaṭa kaṭai miṭai saba pīrā jo sumirai hanumata bala bīrā All suffering and pain vanish when one remembers the brave Hanuman.

37. jai jai jai hanumāna gosā-ī kṛpā karahu gurudeva kī nā-ī Glory, glory, glory to you Lord Hanuman. Bestow your grace on me as my Guru! 38. jo shata bāra pāṭha kara ko-ī chhūṭahi bandi mahā sukha ho-ī Whoever recites this 100 times is freed from bondage and enjoys bliss. 39. jo yaha paṛe hanumāna chālīsā hoya siddhi sākhī gaurīsā Those who read this Hanuman Chalisa gain abilities and success, as Gauri’s Lord (Siva) bears witness. 40. tulasīdāsa sadā hari cherā kījai nātha hṛdaya mahã ḍerā Says Tulsidas, Hari’s constant servant, “Lord, please make your home in my heart.” pavana tanaya saṅkaṭa harana maṅgala mūrati rūpa rāma lakhana sītā sahita hṛdaya basahu sura bhūpa Son of the Wind, king of gods, banisher of sorrow and embodiment of blessings, dwell in my heart together with Ram, Lakshman, and Sita. siyā vara rāmchandra pada jaya sharanam Hail to the refuge of the feet of Sita’s husband, Ramachandra.

Shrī Hanumān Chālīsā maṅgala mūrati māruta nandana sakala amaṅgala mūla nikandana Son of the Wind, embodiment of blessings and joy, you destroy the root of all that is inauspicious. shrī guru charaṇ saroja raja nija mana mukura sudhāri baraṇau raghubara bimala jasu jo dāyaka phala chāri Having polished the mirror of my heart with the dust from my Guru’s lotus feet, I sing the pure fame of the best of Raghus, which bestows the four fruits of life. buddhihīna tanu jānike sumiraũ pavana kumār bala buddhi vidyā dehu mohĩ harahu kalesha bikār I know I have no intelligence, I recall the Son of the Wind. Please give me strength, intelligence, and wisdom and remove my suffering and impurities. siyā vara rāmachandra pada jaya sharanam Hail to the refuge of the feet of Sita’s husband, Ramachandra. 1. jaya hanumāna jñāna guṇa sāgar jaya kapīsa tihũ loka ujāgar Glory to you Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue. Hail to the Lord of the Monkeys, the illuminator of the three worlds. 2. rāma dūta atulita bala dhāmā añjani putra pavanasuta nāmā Ram’s emissary, abode of matchless power, Anjani’s son, named Son of the Wind. 3. mahābīra bikrama bajaraṅgī kumati nivāra sumati ke saṅgī Great hero, mighty as a thunderbolt, remover of negative thoughts and companion to the good. 4. kañchana barana birāja subesā kānana kuṇḍala kuñchita kesa Golden hued and splendidly adorned with heavy earrings and curly locks. 5. hātha vajra au dhvajā birājai kāṅdhe mūnja jane-ū sājai In your hands shine mace and a banner; a sacred thread of munja grass adorns your shoulder. 6. shaṅkara suvana kesarī nandana teja pratāpa mahā jaga bandana You are Siva’s incarnation and Kesari’s son – your glory is renowned throughout the world. 7. vidyāvāna guṇī ati chātura rāma kāja karibe ko ātura You are the supremely wise, virtuous, and clever. You are ever intent on Ram’s work. 8. prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiyā rāma lakhana sītā mana basiyā You delight in hearing of the Lord’s deeds. Ram, Lakshman, and Sita dwell in your heart. 9. sūkshma rūpa dhari siyahĩ dikhāvā bikaṭa rūpa dhari laṇka jarāvā Assuming a tiny form you appeared to Sita, and in awesome guise you burned Lanka. 10. bhīma rūpa dhari asura saṅhāre rāmachandraji ke kāja saṅvāre Taking a dreadful form, you slaughtered the demons and completed Lord Ram’s mission. 11. lāya sajīvana lakhana jiyāye shrī raghubīra harashi ura lāye Bringing the life-giving sajivana herb, you revived Lakshman, and Shri Ram joyfully embraced you. 12. raghupati kīnhī bahuta baṛā-ī tuma mama priya bharatahi sama bhā-ī Greatly did the Lord of Raghus praise you saying, “You are as dear to me as my brother Bharat.” 13. sahasa badana tumharo jasa gāvaĩ asa kahi shrīpati kaṇṭha lagāvaĩ “Thousands of mouths sing your praise,” so saying, Sita’s Lord drew you to himself. 14. sanakādika brahmādi munīsā nārada shārada sahita ahīsā Sanak and the sages, gods, Brahma, great saints, Narada, Sharada, and king of the serpents, 15. yama kubera digapāla jahāṅ te kabi kobida kahi sake kahāṅ te Yama, Kubera, and the guardians of the quadrants, poets and scholars – none can express your glory. 16. tuma upakāra sugrīvahĩ kīnhā rāma milāya rājapada dīnhā You rendered great service to Sugriva. Introducing him to Lord Ram, you gave him kingship. 17. tumharo mantra vibhīshana mānā laṇkeshvara bha-e saba jaga jānā Vibhishana heeded your counsel and became the lord of Lanka as all the world knows. 18. yuga sahasra yojana para bhānū līlyo tāhi madhura phala jānū Even though the sun is millions of miles away, you swallowed it, thinking it to be a sweet fruit. 19. prabhu mudrikā meli mukha māhīṅ jaladhi lāṇghi gaye acharaja nāhīṅ Holding the Lord’s ring in your mouth, it is no surprise you leapt over the ocean. 20. durgama kāja jagata ke jete sugama anugraha tumhare tete Every arduous task in this world becomes easy by your grace. (Continued in Lesson 10 description)

(Continued from Lesson 9) 21. rāma duāre tuma rakhavāre hota na ājñā binu paisāre You are the guardian at the door of Ram’s abode, no one enters without your leave. 22. saba sukha lahai tumhārī sharanā tuma rakshaka kāhū ko ḍara nā Taking refuge in you, one finds complete contentment. Those you protect know no fear. 23. āpana teja samhārau āpai tīnõ loka hāṅka tẽ kāṅpai You alone can withstand your own splendor. The three worlds tremble at your roar. 24. bhūta pisācha nikaṭa nahĩ āvai mahābīra jaba nāma sunāvai Ghosts and goblins cannot come near, great hero, when your name is uttered. 25. nāsai roga hare saba pīrā japata nirantara hanumata bīrā All disease and pain are eradicated by the constant repetition of your name. 26. saṇkaṭa se hanumāna chhuṛāvai mana krama bachana dhyāna jo lāvai Hanuman releases from affliction those who remember him in thought, word and deed. 27. saba para rāma tapasvī rājā tina ke kāja sakala tuma sājā Ram the renunciate king reigns over all. You carry out all his work. 28. aura manoratha jo ko-ī lāvai so-ī amita jīvana phala pāvai One who brings any yearning to you obtains the four fruits of life. 29. chārõ yuga paratāpa tumhārā hai parasiddha jagata ujiyārā Your splendor fills the four ages; your glory lights up the world. 30. sādhu santa ke tuma rakhavāre asura nikandana rāma dulāre You are the protector of saints and sages, the destroyer of demons, and the darling of Ram. 31. ashṭa siddhi nau nidhi ke dātā asa bara dīna jānakī mātā You grant the eight powers and the nine treasures by the boon you received from Mother Janaki [Sita]. 32. rāma rasāyana tūmhare pāsā sadā raho raghupati ke dāsā You hold the elixir of Ram’s name and are forever his servant. 33. tumhare bhajana rāmajī ko pāvai janma janma ke duḥkha bisarāvai Singing your praise, one finds Ram and the sorrows of lifetimes are left behind. 34. anta kāla raghubara pura jā-ī jahāṅ janma hari-bhakta kahā-ī At death, one goes to Ram’s own abode, born as God’s devotee. 35. aura devatā chitta na dhara-ī hanumata se-i sarva sukha kara-ī There is no need to remember any other deity; worshiping Hanuman one gains all happiness. 36. sankaṭa kaṭai miṭai saba pīrā jo sumirai hanumata bala bīrā All suffering and pain vanish when one remembers the brave Hanuman. 37. jai jai jai hanumāna gosā-ī kṛpā karahu gurudeva kī nā-ī Glory, glory, glory to you Lord Hanuman. Bestow your grace on me as my Guru! 38. jo shata bāra pāṭha kara ko-ī chhūṭahi bandi mahā sukha ho-ī Whoever recites this 100 times is freed from bondage and enjoys bliss. 39. jo yaha paṛe hanumāna chālīsā hoya siddhi sākhī gaurīsā Those who read this Hanuman Chalisa gains abilities and success, as Gauri’s Lord (Siva) bears witness. 40. tulasīdāsa sadā hari cherā kījai nātha hṛdaya mahã ḍerā Says Tulsidas, Hari’s constant servant, “Lord, please make your home in my heart.” pavana tanaya saṅkaṭa harana maṅgala mūrati rūpa rāma lakhana sītā sahita hṛdaya basahu sura bhūpa Son of the Wind, king of gods, banisher of sorrow and embodiment of blessings, dwell in my heart together with Ram, Lakshman, and Sita. siyā vara rāmchandra pada jaya sharanam Hail to the refuge of the feet of Sita’s husband, Ramachandra.