Hanuman Chalisa

Victory to Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue; victory to the lord of monkeys who illumines the three worlds.

Messenger of Rama, abode of matchless strength, known as the son of Anjani and the son of the wind.

Great hero of mighty valour, body strong as a thunderbolt; you dispel evil thoughts and befriend the wise.

Golden-hued and beautifully adorned, with rings in your ears and curly hair.

In your hands shine the mace and the banner, and a sacred thread of munja grass adorns your shoulder.

Born of Shiva’s grace and son of Kesari, your radiance and glory are honoured by all the world.

Learned, virtuous and exceedingly clever, ever eager to do the work of Rama.

You delight in listening to the Lord’s deeds; Rama, Lakshmana and Sita dwell in your heart.

You showed yourself to Sita in a tiny form, and in a fearsome form you burned Lanka.

Taking a mighty form you destroyed the demons and accomplished all of Rama’s tasks.

You brought the Sanjivani herb and revived Lakshmana; Rama joyfully embraced you.

Rama praised you greatly, saying: you are as dear to me as my brother Bharata.

“The thousand-mouthed serpent sings your glory” — so saying, Rama clasped you to his heart.

The sages such as Sanaka, Brahma and the great seers, Narada, Saraswati and the serpent-king —

— Yama, Kubera and the guardians of the directions: how can mere poets and scholars describe your glory?

You did a great service to Sugriva, uniting him with Rama and restoring his kingdom.

Vibhishana heeded your counsel and became lord of Lanka, as all the world knows.

The sun, thousands of leagues away, you swallowed thinking it a sweet fruit.

Holding the Lord’s ring in your mouth, you leapt across the ocean — no wonder at all.

However difficult the tasks of this world, by your grace they all become easy.

You guard the door of Rama; none may enter without your leave.

In your refuge all happiness is found; with you as protector there is no fear.

You alone can hold your own might; at your roar the three worlds tremble.

Ghosts and evil spirits cannot come near when one utters your name, O mighty hero.

Disease is destroyed and all pain removed by constant remembrance of brave Hanuman.

Hanuman frees from every trouble those who remember him in thought, deed and word.

Rama is the supreme ascetic king, and you accomplish all his work.

Whoever brings any heartfelt wish to you obtains its boundless fruit in life.

Your glory shines through all four ages, famous and bright across the world.

You protect the saints and the holy, destroy the demons, and are dear to Rama.

You can grant the eight powers and nine treasures — a boon given to you by Mother Sita.

The elixir of Rama’s name is yours; may you ever remain Rama’s devoted servant.

Through devotion to you one attains Rama and forgets the sorrows of countless births.

At life’s end one goes to Rama’s abode and is reborn as a devotee of Hari.

One need not hold other gods in mind; serving Hanuman brings every happiness.

All troubles are cut away and pain removed for those who remember mighty Hanuman.

Victory, victory, victory to Lord Hanuman; bless me with grace as my Guru does.

Whoever recites this a hundred times is freed from bondage and gains great joy.

Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa attains perfection — Shiva himself is witness.

Tulsidas is ever Hari’s servant; O Lord, make your home within my heart.