The Hanuman Chalisa — literally "forty verses on Hanuman" — was composed by the poet-saint Tulsidas in the sixteenth century, in the Awadhi tongue of his Ramcharitmanas. In two opening couplets, forty chaupais, and a closing couplet, it praises Hanuman: the tireless servant of Rama, the leaper across oceans, the one whose very name is said to scatter fear. It is perhaps the most recited devotional poem in the world — sung at dawn, in temples, on journeys, and in moments when a little courage is needed.
What it is
43 verses in all — two introductory dohas, forty chaupais, and a final doha — praising Hanuman's strength, wisdom and devotion.
Why it endures
It is a prayer for courage and clarity. To recite it is to steady the mind and remember that strength is found in service and devotion.
How to approach it
Often chanted on Tuesdays and Saturdays, but the tradition prizes sincerity above all. Read a verse; let its steadiness settle in.
Dohā · The Opening Couplets
Two verses of invocation, before the forty begin.
śrī guru charana saroja raja, nija manu mukuru sudhāri · baranauṃ raghubara bimala jasu, jo dāyaku phala chāri
Cleansing the mirror of my mind with the dust of my Guru's lotus feet, I sing the pure glory of Rama, best of the Raghus, who bestows the four fruits of life.
buddhihīna tanu jānike, sumirauṃ pavana-kumāra · bala buddhi bidyā dehu mohiṃ, harahu kalesa bikāra
Knowing myself to be without wisdom, I call to mind the son of the wind: grant me strength, intelligence and knowledge, and take away my sorrows and flaws.
The Forty Verses
The forty chaupais in transliteration, each with a rendering of its sense. The verses are Tulsidas's Awadhi; the English lines are an interpretive summary, not a literal gloss.
Dohā · The Closing Couplet
pavanatanaya saṅkaṭa harana, maṅgala mūrati rūpa · rāma lakhana sītā sahita, hṛdaya basahu sura bhūpa
O son of the wind, remover of troubles, very form of auspiciousness — together with Rama, Lakshmana and Sita, dwell within my heart, O king among the gods.
iti śrī hanumāna chālīsā sampūrṇam
Thus the Hanuman Chalisa is complete. The tradition holds that whoever recites it with faith is freed from fear and difficulty — but its quieter gift is courage: a mind made steady, and a heart turned toward devotion.
Transliteration follows the traditional text of Tulsidas. English renderings are my own interpretive summaries, offered for reflection rather than as scholarly translation.