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Varaha Chalisa
श्री वराह चालीसा
The Varaha Chalisa is a short hymn to Varaha, the boar avatar of Vishnu who dived into the cosmic ocean, raised the sinking earth on his tusks, and destroyed the demon Hiranyaksha. Unlike many forty-verse chalisas, this one is a compact devotion of about nine chaupais set between an opening and a closing Doha. This page gives the full text in easy English transliteration along with a clear, original meaning for every line.
Varaha Chalisa Lyrics in English (Transliteration)
Roman transliteration for easy chanting. Tap “Meaning” under any verse for the English translation.
Jai Jai Varah Dev Prabhu, Bhoodhar Roop Vishal
Harahu Sankat Daas Ki, Karahu Kripa Kripal
Meaning
Victory to Lord Varaha, the divine boar whose form is vast enough to bear the whole earth. Compassionate one, remove the troubles of your servant and grant your grace.
Jai Jai Varah Roop Dhaari
Bhaktan Ke Tum Ho Hitkaari
Meaning
Glory to you who took on the boar form. You are the well-wisher and benefactor of all your devotees.
Jab Jab Dharti Dolan Laagi
Adharm Badha, Traas Anuraagi
Meaning
Whenever the earth began to shake and unrighteousness grew, the devoted who loved you cried out in fear and distress.
Hiranyaksh Jab Daitya Prachanda
Dhara Dubaya Maha Abhimanda
Meaning
When the fierce demon Hiranyaksha, swollen with arrogance, dragged the earth down and sank her beneath the waters.
Tab Prabhu Tum Varah Swaroopa
Dhar Dharani Rakhi Nij Anupa
Meaning
Then you, Lord, assumed the unmatched form of the boar, lifted the earth, and held her safe in your own incomparable way.
Nakh Karala Maha Vikarala
Maha Prabhavi, Dusht Karala
Meaning
Your tusks were sharp and terrifying, your power immense, and your wrath dreadful to the wicked.
Pataal Beech Daitya Jab Aaya
Hiranyaksh Ko Maar Giraaya
Meaning
When the demon faced you in the depths of the nether world, you struck Hiranyaksha down and laid him low.
Dharani Uthai Kar Muskai
Leela Aparampaar Dikhai
Meaning
Smiling, you raised the earth on high and revealed your boundless, wondrous play to all the worlds.
Shesh Sut Sang Kinha Prahlaada
Bhaktan Ko Deendayal Dridh Vaada
Meaning
You kept your devotees close, as with Prahlada, and gave a firm promise to the faithful, ever merciful to the lowly.
Jo Nar Bhakti Sahit Gun Gaave
Bhavsagar Se Paar Karaave
Meaning
Whoever sings your virtues with true devotion, you carry safely across the ocean of worldly existence.
Varah Dev Ki Kripa, Sankat Door Kare
Jo Jan Shraddha Se Gaave, Bhavsagar Na Tare
Meaning
The grace of Lord Varaha drives troubles far away. The devotee who sings this with sincere faith need not fear the ocean of rebirth.
Benefits of Reciting the Varaha Chalisa
Devotees recite the Varaha Chalisa to seek Vishnu’s protective, earth-lifting grace in their own lives.
- Protection in crisis: Just as Varaha rescued the sunken earth, the hymn is recited when one feels overwhelmed by difficulty.
- Courage over fear: Recalling the slaying of Hiranyaksha is said to steady the mind against fear and hostile forces.
- Stability and support: It is recited for a firm footing during upheaval, troubles at home, or unsettled times.
- Devotional focus: The short text is easy to memorise, making daily remembrance of Vishnu’s avatar simple.
- Spiritual progress: The closing verses promise that sincere singing helps the devotee cross the ocean of worldly existence.
When and How to Chant the Varaha Chalisa
The chalisa is most often recited on Varaha Jayanti and on Thursdays, the weekday linked with Vishnu. After a bath, light a lamp or incense before an image of Varaha or Vishnu, sit calmly facing east, and recite the opening Doha, the nine chaupais, and the closing Doha with attention to the meaning. Because the text is short, many repeat it several times or read it slowly; what matters is steady faith rather than speed or count.
About the Varaha Chalisa
The Varaha Chalisa is a traditional Hindi devotional hymn in the chaupai-and-doha form, but it is notably short: an opening Doha, about nine numbered chaupais, and a closing Doha, rather than the forty verses found in many other chalisas. Its verses retell the Varaha episode from the Puranas, in which Vishnu takes the form of a boar to lift the earth from the cosmic waters and to destroy the demon Hiranyaksha, with a passing nod to his mercy toward devotees such as Prahlada. No single author is firmly recorded, and the text circulates in a compact form; we reproduce only what can be reliably sourced rather than padding it to a fixed length.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Varaha Chalisa?
It is a short Hindu devotional hymn praising Varaha, the boar avatar of Vishnu who lifted the earth from the cosmic ocean and killed the demon Hiranyaksha. It is composed of an opening Doha, about nine chaupais, and a closing Doha.
What are the benefits of reciting the Varaha Chalisa?
Devotees recite it to seek protection in times of crisis, courage against fear and hostile forces, stability during upheaval, and steady devotion to Vishnu. The closing verses promise help in crossing the ocean of worldly existence.
Which day is best to recite the Varaha Chalisa?
Varaha Jayanti is the most fitting occasion, and Thursdays, the weekday associated with Vishnu, are also favoured. It can be recited on any day with sincere faith.
How many verses are in the Varaha Chalisa?
Unlike most chalisas, this one is short. The widely-circulated text has an opening Doha, about nine chaupais, and a closing Doha, rather than a full set of forty verses.
Can the Varaha Chalisa be recited in English?
Yes. This page provides the full text in simple English (Roman) transliteration, so anyone who does not read Devanagari can recite it accurately, along with the meaning of each verse.
॥ Varaha Chalisa ॥