Salasar Balaji Chalisa

Hail again and again to the sacred abode of Salasar. It is pure, lovely, and delightful to all who come there.

As holy as Mathura and Kashi, and as joy-giving as Pushkar and Kurukshetra, this place too is sacred and a store of happiness.

Just as Ayodhya, the Ganga, and Haridwar are revered, the poet reflects that Salasar is equally auspicious and worth describing.

The site lies in Rajasthan, close to Sikar. The nearby town of Lachhmangarh is pleasing to the heart.

Near that town stands the village of Salasar, in every way auspicious, clean, and a home of contentment.

This is a supreme and holy seat of spiritual power. A single sight of Hanuman here puts an end to every sorrow.

So the poet appeals: listen, friend, worship the son of the wind, Hanuman, and you will gain clear, good understanding.

Now he will narrate how Hanuman came to Salasar. Listen carefully, everyone, and take it to heart.

Everyone knew Mohandas, a Brahmin who was a storehouse of devotion, feeling, virtue, and knowledge.

He worked the fields together with Uday. One day Hanuman himself came to that very place.

The Lord spoke to the Brahmin: hear my words, and hold meditation and devotion firmly in your heart.

Setting every other concern aside, Mohan the Brahmin concluded that worship of Hanuman is forever a giver of joy.

He took up worship, devotion, and meditation, and day after day he was blessed with the presence of Hanuman.

The idol revealed itself in Asota, and that deity was brought to Salasar.

In the Vikram Samvat year 1811, Hanuman arrived here, shining like the sun standing at its highest point.

It was the ninth day of the bright fortnight of Shravan, a Saturday, an auspicious moment, and the right ground for the installation.

Mohan carried out the worship and the fire offering, and set up the joy-giving idol of Hanuman.

Mohan sang the aarti and auspicious songs, while the sound of drums and kettledrums rang out pleasingly.

Choorma was offered as the sacred food, and everyone joined together in hymns and kirtan.

Once an inspiration arose in Mohan's mind, prompting him to decorate the idol.

He fashioned an image that gladdened the heart, and Hanuman, the lord of the monkeys, was pleased.

He filled a plate with ghee and vermilion and made the idol beautifully red.

Mohan called Uday and said, come, let us go and worship Hanuman.

Let us serve Hanuman with single-minded attachment, and our devotion will keep growing many times over.

The cheers of victory at Salasar are heartening, and the sound of bells in every direction delights the mind.

Day by day the temple grew larger, and Uday's family carried on the worship.

On an auspicious Tuesday or full-moon day, a devotee gains the blessed sight of Salasar Balaji.

Worshippers bring and offer flags and coconuts, and present sugar-and-wheat choorma as sacred food.

Whoever worships Hanuman with a focused heart honours and pleases the Hanuman of Salasar.

In this manner all who come and bow down receive the fruits their hearts desire.

Self-knowledge grows fresh each day once the grace of Hanuman is upon a person.

Every kind of hardship and inner flaw is cleared away for the one who takes shelter at Salasar.

The snake of worry slips away from the person in whose heart Hanuman is enthroned.

The sight of Hanuman is deeply gladdening; the beauty of his red form is beyond words.

People come from far-off places, and those with great fortune are blessed with his sight.

They make their eyes worthwhile by beholding the Lord, and through repeated darshan their distress is lifted.

The glory of Hanuman resounds on every side, and the Hanuman of Salasar sits in splendour.

I worship the auspicious abode of Salasar. Hail, hail, hail to Bajrang Bali; I bow to him.

The poet Indrajeet says that with the help of the monkey-king Hanuman, whoever sings the glory of Salasar…

…and whoever reads or hears this Salasar Hanumat Chalisa, on them Hanuman will bestow all that is good.