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Dattatreya Chalisa
श्री दत्तात्रेय चालीसा
The Dattatreya Chalisa is a devotional hymn to Lord Dattatreya, worshipped as Datta the combined form of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Son of the sage Atri and the devoted Anasuya, he is honoured as the guru of gurus, usually shown with three heads, six arms, four dogs and a cow beside him. This page carries the full chant in easy English transliteration along with a clear meaning for every line, so you can both recite it and understand what each verse is asking of the Lord.
Dattatreya Chalisa Lyrics in English (Transliteration)
Roman transliteration for easy chanting. Tap “Meaning” under any verse for the English translation.
Dattaguru ke charanon mein,
mera koti pranam
Meaning
I offer countless prostrations at the feet of Dattaguru, bowing to him with complete humility before I begin the prayer.
Raksha karo he Datt Prabhu,
rakh lo apni sharan
Meaning
Protect me, Lord Datt, and take me into your shelter, keeping me safe under your care.
Jayati jayati Dattatreya,
Swami Digambar jay
Meaning
Glory, glory to Dattatreya, the sky-clad Lord (Digambara) who wears the directions themselves as his garment, free of all worldly cover.
Aadi Brahma, Madhyam Vishnu,
Deva Maheshwar jay
Meaning
He is Brahma the creator at the beginning, Vishnu the sustainer in the middle, and Maheshwar the transformer at the end. Glory to this threefold divine presence in one form.
Jayati jayati Trimurti roop,
bhav badha harte jay
Meaning
Glory to the Lord who holds the form of the Trinity and who clears away the obstacles and burdens of worldly life.
Sahaj praapti har har jay,
shubh phal sukh dete jay
Meaning
Glory to the one through whom attainment comes easily; he grants auspicious rewards and lasting happiness to those who turn to him.
Jayati jayati Anasuya nandan,
param gambheer Prabhu jay
Meaning
Glory to the cherished son of the devoted Anasuya, the Lord of deep, unfathomable wisdom and calm.
Har kripa kar sarasij pad,
bhakton ko sukh dete jay
Meaning
May Shiva's grace rest on your lotus feet; you are the one who brings comfort and joy to your devotees.
Shri Ganesh, Shri Sharada,
Lakshmi sahit Shiv jay
Meaning
Ganesh, Sharada (Saraswati), Lakshmi and Shiva all shine within you. Glory to the Lord who carries every divine grace together.
Satguru charan, kamal seva,
bhav nidhi se traan kar jay
Meaning
By serving the lotus feet of the true guru, carry me safely across the deep ocean of worldly existence.
Sir jhukaaye, haath jode,
karein bhakti praan jay
Meaning
Glory to those who bow their heads, fold their hands, and offer their very life-breath in devotion to you.
Tribhuvan mein, prakat Prabhu Datt,
Brahmanand swaroop jay
Meaning
Across the three worlds Lord Datt stands revealed as the very embodiment of supreme spiritual bliss.
Guru gambheer, kripa saagar,
kar jodo charanaravind
Meaning
O profound guru, ocean of compassion, I fold my hands at your lotus feet in surrender.
Sharanagat, rakshan karta,
rakho hamari laaj Prabhu
Meaning
You protect all who take refuge in you; guard my honour and dignity too, O Lord.
Shri Dattatreya Prabhu, kripakar,
sada sahay raho Prabhu
Meaning
Compassionate Lord Dattatreya, remain my constant support and helper through every part of life.
Bhaktivan, dukh se traan,
sada saban ka karein kalyan Prabhu
Meaning
Guardian of the devoted and rescuer from sorrow, always work for the welfare and good of all, O Lord.
Kar bharosa, man mein aas,
Swami sukhdata jay
Meaning
Hold firm trust and hope in your heart; glory to the Lord who is the true giver of happiness.
Mati hamari shuddh kar Prabhu,
dosh, duskrit mita Prabhu
Meaning
Purify my mind and intellect, O Lord, and wash away my faults and past wrongdoings.
Dhyan lagayein, chitt manayein,
Shri Datt kripa se Prabhu
Meaning
Steady the mind in meditation and settle the restless heart, all through the grace of Shri Datt.
Bhakt gan, karein sumiran,
sada sahay ho Prabhu
Meaning
May the devotees who remember and chant your name always find your help at hand, O Lord.
Jayati jayati Dattaguru,
Brahmanand daata jay
Meaning
Glory, glory to Dattaguru, the giver of supreme divine bliss to all who seek him.
Aghnashak, Trivikrama Dev,
gyaan bhakti do Prabhu
Meaning
Destroyer of sins and Trivikrama who spans the three worlds, grant me true knowledge and steady devotion, O Lord.
Sumiran se bhav-bandhan,
se sada mukt rahein Prabhu
Meaning
Through constant remembrance of you, may we stay forever free from the chains that bind us to worldly life.
Trividh taap, mit jaayein Prabhu,
antah karan sudheer ho Prabhu
Meaning
May the three kinds of suffering fade away, and may my inner self grow calm and steadfast, O Lord.
Shri Datt sharanam, moksha sulabh,
bhav saagar se traan ho
Meaning
Taking refuge in Shri Datt, liberation becomes attainable; carry me across the ocean of existence to safety.
Bhav-bhay haarak, Satguru,
kasht nivarak ho Prabhu
Meaning
Remover of worldly fear and true guru, you are the one who dispels every trouble and hardship, O Lord.
Sharanagat, moksha pradayak,
sulabh saral karte Prabhu
Meaning
To those who surrender, you grant liberation, making the path to it easy and simple, O Lord.
Karunamay, santat harshaayein,
bhav se mukti ho Prabhu
Meaning
Compassionate Lord, you keep your devotees ever joyful; grant them release from the cycle of worldly existence.
Shri Dattatreya sharanam,
bhav badha haran Prabhu
Meaning
I take refuge in Shri Dattatreya, who removes the obstacles and burdens of worldly life.
Shri Dattatreya sharanam,
paap-taap-tray haran Prabhu
Meaning
I take refuge in Shri Dattatreya, who destroys sin, suffering, and the threefold afflictions.
Shri Dattatreya sharanam,
man mein aas lagaayein Prabhu
Meaning
I take refuge in Shri Dattatreya, placing all my hope and faith in him within my heart.
Bhaktjan, karein smaran,
sada sahay ho Prabhu
Meaning
May the devotees who hold you in memory always receive your help and grace, O Lord.
Jayati jayati Dattaguru,
sarv rog harte Prabhu
Meaning
Glory, glory to Dattaguru, who heals every illness of body and spirit, O Lord.
Jayati jayati Dattaguru,
paap-taap nivarak Prabhu
Meaning
Glory, glory to Dattaguru, the one who clears away sin and suffering, O Lord.
Jayati jayati Dattaguru,
karuna kripa nidhaan Prabhu
Meaning
Glory, glory to Dattaguru, the boundless store of compassion and grace, O Lord.
Jayati jayati Dattaguru,
jagat taaran Prabhu
Meaning
Glory, glory to Dattaguru, who carries the whole world across to safety, O Lord.
Shri Dattatreya sharanam,
bhav badha haran Prabhu
Meaning
Again I take refuge in Shri Dattatreya, remover of the obstacles of worldly life.
Shri Dattatreya sharanam,
paap-taap-tray haran Prabhu
Meaning
Again I take refuge in Shri Dattatreya, destroyer of sin, suffering, and the threefold afflictions.
Shri Dattatreya sharanam,
man mein aas lagaayein Prabhu
Meaning
Again I take refuge in Shri Dattatreya, resting all my hope and faith in him.
Bhaktjan, karein smaran,
sada sahay ho Prabhu
Meaning
May his devotees who remember him always be met with his help, O Lord.
Jayati jayati Dattaguru,
sarv rog harte Prabhu
Meaning
Glory, glory to Dattaguru, the healer of every disease, O Lord.
Jayati jayati Dattaguru,
jagat taaran Prabhu
Meaning
Glory, glory to Dattaguru, the saviour who delivers the entire world, O Lord.
Benefits of Reciting the Dattatreya Chalisa
Devotees turn to the Dattatreya Chalisa for both inner steadiness and everyday relief. Regular recitation is believed to bring the following:
- Guru’s guidance: As the guru of gurus, Dattatreya is invoked for clarity on the spiritual path and right decisions in daily life.
- Protection and refuge: The verses repeatedly ask Datta to shelter and guard the devotee, offering a sense of safety in difficult times.
- Relief from the three afflictions: The chant seeks freedom from physical, mental and spiritual suffering (the trividh taap).
- Purity of mind: Several verses pray for a cleansed intellect and the washing away of past faults, supporting calmer, more honest living.
- Freedom from worldly bonds: Steady remembrance of Datta is said to loosen attachment and move the devotee toward liberation.
- Healing and well-being: Dattaguru is praised as the remover of illness, and many recite the Chalisa when seeking recovery and strength.
When and How to Chant the Dattatreya Chalisa
Thursday (Guruvar) is the traditional day to recite the Dattatreya Chalisa, with Datta Jayanti on Margashirsha Purnima being the most special occasion of the year. Sit facing east or north after a bath, light a lamp before an image of Lord Dattatreya, and offer flowers if you have them. Recite slowly and with attention, ideally in the early morning or evening; some devotees repeat it three times or complete a full mala of 108 chants, and many keep it up for forty-one continuous days. What matters most is a settled, sincere heart rather than speed or count.
About the Dattatreya Chalisa
The Dattatreya Chalisa is a traditional devotional composition built from opening dohas (couplets) followed by short chaupai verses, closing again with lines of surrender. This version carries the invocation plus forty verses, each praising a facet of Datta, the united form of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva born to the sage Atri and Anasuya. Its themes are consistent: taking refuge at the guru’s feet, asking for protection and a pure mind, and seeking release from suffering and the bonds of worldly life. The language here is Hindi, presented in Roman transliteration so that anyone can read and recite it aloud.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dattatreya Chalisa?
The Dattatreya Chalisa is a devotional hymn in praise of Lord Dattatreya, worshipped as Datta, the combined form of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. It is made up of opening couplets and forty short verses that ask for the guru's guidance, protection, and freedom from worldly suffering.
What are the benefits of reciting the Dattatreya Chalisa?
Devotees recite it seeking spiritual guidance, protection and refuge, a purified mind, relief from physical, mental and spiritual afflictions, and freedom from worldly attachments. Dattatreya is also invoked as a healer of illness and a bestower of wisdom and devotion.
Which day is best to recite the Dattatreya Chalisa?
Thursday (Guruvar) is the traditional day, and Dattatreya Jayanti, which falls on Margashirsha Purnima, is the most auspicious occasion. Early morning or evening are considered the best times to chant.
How many verses are in the Dattatreya Chalisa?
This version has two opening dohas (couplets) followed by forty chaupai verses, with the closing lines echoing the verses of surrender to Shri Dattatreya.
Who is Lord Dattatreya?
Dattatreya, or Datta, is the son of the sage Atri and the devoted Anasuya, and is revered as the guru of gurus. He is worshipped as the single embodiment of the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) and is usually depicted with three heads, six arms, four dogs and a cow.
Can the Dattatreya Chalisa be recited in English?
Yes. This page provides the full chant in easy English (Roman) transliteration, so you can read and recite every line even without knowing Devanagari, along with a clear meaning for each verse.
॥ Dattatreya Chalisa ॥