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Yamuna Chalisa
श्री यमुना चालीसा
The Yamuna Chalisa is a forty-verse hymn to the river-goddess Yamuna, also called Kalindi, the dark-watered river of Braj and the beloved companion of Lord Krishna. Loved especially within the Pushtimarg tradition of Vrindavan and Mathura, it praises her as Krishna’s consort and as a stream whose touch washes away sin. This page gives the complete Yamuna Chalisa in easy English transliteration, with an original line-by-line meaning for every verse so you can both recite it and understand it.
Yamuna Chalisa Lyrics in English (Transliteration)
Roman transliteration for easy chanting. Tap “Meaning” under any verse for the English translation.
Priyasang krida karat nit, sukhanidhi ved ko saar
Daras paras te paap mite, Shrikrishna pran aadhaar
Meaning
Forever at play beside her beloved Krishna, Yamuna is the essence of the Vedas and a treasury of joy. One look at her or a single touch dissolves sins, for she is the very life-support of Shri Krishna.
Yamuna paavan vimal sujas, bhaktisakal ras khaani
Shesh Mahesh vadan karat, mahima na jaay bakhaani
Meaning
Yamuna's fame is pure and spotless, a wellspring of every flavour of devotion. Even Shesha and Shiva sing her praise, yet her greatness is beyond full telling.
Poojit suraasur Mukund priya, sevahi sakal nar-naar
Prakati mukti hetu jag, sevahi utarahi paar
Meaning
Worshipped by gods and demons alike and dear to Mukunda (Krishna), she is served by every man and woman. She came into the world to grant liberation, and those who serve her cross over the ocean of worldly life.
Bandi charan kar jori kaho, suniyo maatu pukaar
Bhakti charan chitt dei ke, keejai bhav te paar
Meaning
Bowing at your feet with folded hands I pray: hear my call, O Mother. Fix my mind in devotion at your feet and carry me across this sea of birth and death.
Jai jai jai Yamuna Maharani
Jai Kalindi Krishna Patrani
Meaning
Victory, victory, victory to you, great Queen Yamuna. Hail Kalindi, the chosen consort of Krishna.
Roop anoop shobha chhavi nyaari
Madhav-priya Braj shobha bhaari
Meaning
Your form is matchless and your beauty rare beyond compare. Beloved of Madhava, you are the great glory of Braj.
Bhuvan basi ghor tap kinha
Poorna manorath Murari kinha
Meaning
Living in this world you once performed severe penance. Murari (Krishna) fulfilled the heart's wish for which you strove.
Nij ardhangi tumhi apnaayo
Saavro Shyam pati priy paayo
Meaning
He accepted you as his own beloved partner. So you gained the dark-hued Shyam as your dear lord.
Roop alaukik adbhut jyoti
Neer renu damakat jyun moti
Meaning
Your beauty is otherworldly, a wondrous radiance. Each droplet of your water and each grain of sand sparkles like a pearl.
Suryasuta shyamal sab anga
Kotichand dhyuti kaanti abhanga
Meaning
Daughter of the Sun, dark of complexion in every limb, your unbroken glow shines with the light of ten million moons.
Aashray Brajadhishwar leenha
Gokul basi shuchi bhaktan keenha
Meaning
You took shelter with the Lord of Braj. Dwelling in Gokul, you make your devotees pure.
Krishna Nand ghar Gokul aayo
Charan vandi kari darshan paayo
Meaning
When Krishna came to Nanda's home in Gokul, he honoured your feet and you received his sacred sight.
Solah shringar bhuj kankan sohe
Koti kaam laajahi man mohe
Meaning
Adorned in the sixteen ornaments, with bangles gracing your arms, you charm the mind and put ten million Kamadevas to shame.
Krishna vesh nath moti raajat
Nupur ghunghru charan mein baajat
Meaning
In garb fit for Krishna's beloved, pearls shine upon you, while anklets and tiny bells chime sweetly at your feet.
Mani manak mukta chhavi neeki
Mohani roop sab upma phiki
Meaning
Gems, rubies and pearls lend you a lovely glow. Your enchanting form makes every comparison seem pale.
Mand chalahi priya-preetam pyaari
Reejhahi Shyam priya priya nihaari
Meaning
You move with a gentle, graceful gait, dearest among loved ones. Shyam is delighted, gazing again and again at his beloved.
Mohan bas kari hriday virajat
Binu preetam kshan chain na paavat
Meaning
You hold Mohana (Krishna) captive and dwell within his heart. Without her beloved, neither finds peace for even a moment.
Murli-dhar jab murli bajavain
Sang keli kar aanand pavain
Meaning
When the flute-bearer plays upon his flute, you sport at his side and share in his delight.
Mor hans kokil nit khelat
Jalkhag koojat mridubani bolat
Meaning
Peacocks, swans and cuckoos play along your banks each day, while waterbirds call out in soft, sweet voices.
Jaa par kripa drishti barasaven
Prem ko bhed soi jan paaven
Meaning
On whomever you pour your gracious glance, that person alone comes to know the secret of pure love.
Naam Yamuna jab mukh pe aaven
Sabahi amangal dekhi tari jaaven
Meaning
The moment the name Yamuna rises to the lips, all misfortune flees the sight of it and the devotee is carried across.
Bhaje naam Yamuna amrut ras
Rahe Saavro sada taahi bas
Meaning
For one who chants the nectar-name of Yamuna, the dark Lord (Krishna) remains forever within their reach.
Karunamayi sakal ras khaani
Sur nar muni bandahi sab gyaani
Meaning
Full of compassion and a mine of every devotional flavour, you are revered by gods, humans, sages and all the wise.
Bhootal prakati avataar jab leenho
Uddhar sabhi bhaktan ko kinho
Meaning
When you descended and appeared upon the earth, you uplifted and redeemed all your devotees.
Shesh gira shruti paar na paavat
Yogi jati muni dhyan lagavat
Meaning
Even Shesha, the goddess of speech and the Vedas cannot reach the end of your glory, while yogis, ascetics and sages meditate upon you.
Dand pranam je aachaman karahi
Naasahi agh bhavsindhu tarahi
Meaning
Those who bow full-length and sip your water in ritual purification have their sins destroyed and cross the ocean of existence.
Bhaav bhakti se neer nhaven
Dev sakal tehi bhagya sraaven
Meaning
Whoever bathes in your waters with feeling and devotion is praised by all the gods as truly fortunate.
Kari Braj vaas nirantar dhyavahi
Param-anand param pad pavahi
Meaning
Those who live in Braj and meditate on you without pause attain the highest bliss and the supreme state.
Sant munijan majjan karahi
Nav bhaktiras nij ur bharahi
Meaning
Saints and sages who bathe in your stream fill their hearts with the fresh nectar of devotion.
Pooja nem charan anuraagi
Hoi anugrah daras badbhaagi
Meaning
The devoted soul who keeps the vow of worship at your feet receives your grace, and is blessed by your sacred sight.
Deep-daan kari aarti karahi
Antar sukh man nirmal rahahi
Meaning
Those who offer lamps and perform your aarti find inner joy, and their minds remain clear and pure.
Keerti vishad vinay kari gaavat
Siddhi alaukik bhakti paavat
Meaning
Whoever humbly sings your spotless glory gains uncommon spiritual attainment and deep devotion.
Bade prem Shri Yamuna pad gaaven
Mohan sanmukh sunan ko aaven
Meaning
When devotees sing of Shri Yamuna's feet with great love, Mohana (Krishna) himself draws near to listen.
Aatur hoy sharnagat aaven
Kripa-kari taahi begi apnaaven
Meaning
To the one who comes to you earnestly seeking refuge, you show grace and swiftly take them as your own.
Mamtamayi sab jaanahi man ki
Bhav peeda harahi nij jan ki
Meaning
Full of motherly love, you know every thought of the heart, and you remove the worldly suffering of your own people.
Sharan pratipal priya kunjeshwari
Braj upma preetam praneshwari
Meaning
You protect those who take refuge, dear mistress of the groves; you are the very likeness of Braj and the life-beloved of your Lord.
Shriji Yamuna kripa jab hoi
Brahm sambandh jeev ko hoi
Meaning
When revered Yamuna bestows her grace, the individual soul becomes joined with the Supreme.
Pushtimaargi nit mahima gaavain
Krishna charan nit bhakti dridhaavain
Meaning
Followers of the Pushtimarg sing your glory each day and steadily strengthen their devotion to Krishna's feet.
Namo namo Shri Yamune Maharani
Namo namo Shree-pati Patrani
Meaning
Salutations again and again to you, great Queen Shri Yamuna; salutations to you, consort of the Lord of Lakshmi.
Namo namo Yamune sukh karni
Namo namo Yamune dukh harani
Meaning
Salutations to Yamuna, the giver of joy; salutations to Yamuna, the remover of sorrow.
Namo Krishnayai sakal gun khaani
Shri-hari-priya nikunj nivaasini
Meaning
Salutations to you, dark as Krishna and a mine of all virtues, beloved of Shri Hari, dweller in the forest groves.
Karunamayi ab kripa keejai
Phadankaati mohi sharan me leejain
Meaning
O compassionate one, grant your grace now; cut away my bonds and take me into your shelter.
Jo Yamuna Chalisa nit gaavain
Kripa prasad te sab sukh paavain
Gyaan bhakti dhan keerti paavahi
Ant samay Shridham te jaavahi
Meaning
Whoever sings the Yamuna Chalisa daily gains every happiness through her grace and favour. They obtain knowledge, devotion, prosperity and good name, and at life's end depart to the divine abode of Shridham.
Bhaj charan chit sukh karan, haran trividh bhav traas
Bhakti paai aanand raman, kripa drishti Braj vaas
Meaning
Meditate on her feet, which bring joy to the mind and end the threefold torment of worldly life. Finding devotion and reveling in bliss, the devotee dwells in Braj under her gracious gaze.
Yamuna Chalisa nit nem te, path kare man laay
Krishna charan rati bhakti dridh, bhav badha mit jaay
Meaning
Whoever recites the Yamuna Chalisa daily, as a regular vow and with a focused mind, gains firm loving devotion to Krishna's feet, and the obstacles of worldly life fall away.
Benefits of Reciting the Yamuna Chalisa
Recited with sincerity, the Yamuna Chalisa is cherished for nurturing love-filled devotion and inner cleansing. Devotees turn to it for these blessings:
- Devotion to Krishna: It draws the heart toward Krishna, for Yamuna is praised throughout as his beloved companion of Braj.
- Inner purity: The verses describe how her touch and remembrance dissolve sins and clear the mind.
- Relief from sorrow: She is hailed as the giver of joy and remover of grief, comforting those in distress.
- Refuge and protection: The hymn promises that those who seek shelter at her feet are taken in and guarded with motherly care.
- Steady spiritual progress: Daily recitation is said to deepen devotion, knowledge and a feeling of belonging in the divine abode.
- Peace of mind: Offering the lamp and aarti described in the verses settles the mind and brings a quiet, clear contentment.
When and How to Chant the Yamuna Chalisa
Yamuna Chalisa is recited daily by many devotees, and especially on Yamuna Jayanti, which marks her appearance, as well as on Ekadashi and other Krishna-centred festivals in Braj. A simple way is to bathe first, sit facing a image or picture of Yamuna or Krishna, light a lamp, and read the verses slowly and clearly, pausing on the meaning of each line. The spirit matters more than speed: recite with affection and an open heart, as one would speak to a loving mother, and close with a short aarti or a moment of silent gratitude.
About the Yamuna Chalisa
The Yamuna Chalisa is a traditional Braj devotional hymn arranged in the classic chalisa form, opening and closing couplets (dohas) framing a body of short chaupai verses. This version carries four opening dohas, thirty-nine numbered chaupais and two closing dohas. Its language is the Hindi and Braj idiom of the Vrindavan region, given here in Roman transliteration. The text praises Yamuna as Kalindi, daughter of the Sun and beloved of Krishna, and dwells on themes of divine love, her place in the Pushtimarg tradition, the purifying power of her waters, and the refuge she offers to those who turn to her.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Yamuna Chalisa?
The Yamuna Chalisa is a traditional forty-verse devotional hymn praising the river-goddess Yamuna, also called Kalindi, who is honoured as the beloved companion of Lord Krishna in the Braj region. It celebrates her beauty, her bond with Krishna, and the purifying power of her waters.
What are the benefits of reciting the Yamuna Chalisa?
Devotees recite it to deepen their devotion to Krishna, to cleanse the mind of sin, to find relief from sorrow, and to feel the protection of Yamuna as a loving mother. The verses themselves promise joy, knowledge and steady spiritual progress to those who sing it regularly.
Which day is best to recite the Yamuna Chalisa?
It can be recited on any day, but it is considered especially auspicious on Yamuna Jayanti, the day marking her appearance, and on Ekadashi and Krishna-related festivals in Braj. Many devotees also read it daily as a regular practice.
How many verses are in the Yamuna Chalisa?
This version has thirty-nine numbered chaupai verses, framed by four opening dohas and two closing dohas. Chalisa hymns are traditionally built around about forty verses in the chaupai-and-doha form.
Who is Yamuna in the Yamuna Chalisa?
Yamuna, also known as Kalindi, is the river-goddess of Braj and Vrindavan, described as the daughter of the Sun and the beloved consort of Krishna. In the Pushtimarg tradition she is revered as a divine giver of devotion and grace.
Can the Yamuna Chalisa be recited in English?
Yes. This page provides the full Yamuna Chalisa in Roman transliteration so it can be read aloud in English script, along with a clear meaning for every verse to help you understand what you are reciting.
॥ Yamuna Chalisa ॥