The Hanuman Chalisa lyrics represent one of the most popular devotional texts in Indian literature. Composed by Goswami Tulsidas in the 16th century, the hymn contains 43 stanzas divided into 2 opening Dohas, 40 core Chaupais, and 1 closing Doha.
Below is the complete, authentic text formatted with Devanagari script, IAST transliteration guide, and English translations. To learn how to study these verses step by step, see our main guide on how to learn Hanuman Chalisa.
HANUMAN CHALISA LYRICS STRUCTURE
┌──────────────────┐ ┌──────────────────┐ ┌──────────────────┐
│ DOHAS 1 & 2 │ ───► │ CHAUPAIS 1 TO 40 │ ───► │ DOHA 3 │
│ Invocation │ │ Core 40 Stanzas │ │ Benediction │
└──────────────────┘ └──────────────────┘ └──────────────────┘
Complete Stanza Overview & Text Matrix
| Section | Stanza Count | Poetic Meter | Language | Text Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Invocation | Dohas 1 & 2 | Doha (24 matras/line) | Awadhi / Sanskritized | Hanuman Chalisa Meaning |
| Main Body | Chaupais 1–40 | Chaupai (16 matras/line) | Awadhi Poetic | How to Learn Step by Step |
| Closing Invocation | Doha 3 | Doha (24 matras/line) | Awadhi / Sanskritized | How to Memorize Hanuman Chalisa |
Did you know?
According to traditional commentaries following Gita Press, Goswami Tulsidas composed the Hanuman Chalisa while imprisoned by Emperor Akbar, demonstrating the immense spiritual power of devotional faith.
Opening Invocation: Dohas 1 & 2
Doha 1
श्रीगुरु चरण सरोज रज, निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि ।
बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु, जो दायकु फल चारि ॥
Śrīguru caraṇa saroja raja, nija manu mukuru sudhāri |
Baranaũ raghubara bimala jasu, jo dāyaku phala cāri ||
English Translation: Cleansing the mirror of my mind with the dust of the lotus feet of the Divine Guru, I sing the pure glory of the noble Raghu dynasty, which bestows the four fruits of human life (Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha).
Doha 2
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके, सुमिरौ पवन-कुमार ।
बल बुद्धि बिद्या देहु मोहिं, हरहु कलेस बिकार ॥
Buddhi-hīna tanu jānike, sumirau pavana-kumāra |
Bala buddhi bidyā dehu mohiṃ, harahu kalesa bikāra ||
English Translation: Knowing myself to be lacking in intellect, I meditate upon you, O Son of the Wind God. Grant me strength, wisdom, and knowledge, and remove all my afflictions and impurities.
Core Stanzas: Chaupais 1 to 10
Chaupai 1
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर । जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर ॥
Jaya hanumāna jñāna guna sāgara | Jaya kapīsa tihuṃ loka ujāgara ||
Translation: Victory to Lord Hanuman, who is an ocean of wisdom and virtue! Victory to the Lord of Monkeys, who illuminates all three worlds!
Chaupai 2
रामदूत अतुलित बल धामा । अंजनि-पुत्र पवनसुत नामा ॥
Rāmadūta atulita bala dhāmā | Añjani-putra pavanasuta nāmā ||
Translation: You are the messenger of Lord Rama, the repository of immeasurable strength, known as the son of Anjani and the son of the Wind God.
Chaupai 3
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी । कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी ॥
Mahābīra bikrama bajarangī | Kumati nivāra sumati ke saṅgī ||
Translation: O Great Hero, powerful and endowed with a body as strong as thunderbolts! You dispel negative thoughts and remain the companion of wisdom.
Chaupai 4
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा । कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा ॥
Kañcana barana birāja subesā | Kānana kuṇḍala kuñcita kesā ||
Translation: Your golden complexion radiates in beautiful attire, adorned with ear rings and soft curly hair.
Chaupai 5
संकर सुवन केसरी नंदन । तेज प्रताप महा जग बंदन ॥
Saṅkara suvana kesarī nandana | Teja pratāpa mahā jaga bandana ||
Translation: You are an incarnation of Lord Shiva and the joy of Kesari. Your immense glory is revered by the entire universe.
Chaupai 6
विद्यावान गुनी अति चतुर । राम काज करिबे को आतुर ॥
Vidyāvāna gunī ati catura | Rāma kāja karibe ko ātura ||
Translation: You are learned, virtuous, and exceedingly wise, always eager to fulfill the tasks of Lord Rama.
Chaupai 7
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया । राम लखन सीता मन बसिया ॥
Prabhu caritra sunibe ko rasiyā | Rāma lakhana sītā mana basiyā ||
Translation: You take delight in listening to the divine deeds of Lord Rama, and you reside in the hearts of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita.
Chaupai 8
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा । बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा ॥
Sūkṣma rūpa dhari siyahiṃ dikhāvā | Bikaṭa rūpa dhari laṅka jarāvā ||
Translation: Assuming a tiny form, you appeared before Mother Sita; assuming a terrifying form, you burned the city of Lanka.
Chaupai 9
भीम रूप धरि असुर संहारे । रामचंद्र के काज सँवारे ॥
Bhīma rūpa dhari asura saṃhāre | Rāmacandra ke kāja saṃvāre ||
Translation: Taking a gigantic form, you destroyed the demons and accomplished all the tasks of Lord Ramachandra.
Chaupai 10
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये । श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये ॥
Lāya sajīvana lakhana jiyāye | Śrīraghubīra haraṣi ura lāye ||
Translation: Bringing the Sanjeevani herb, you revived Lakshmana, filling Lord Rama with immense joy as He embraced you.
Core Stanzas: Chaupais 11 to 20
Chaupai 11
रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई । तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई ॥
Raghupati kīnhī bahuta baṛāī | Tuma mama priya bharatahi sama bhāī ||
Translation: Lord Rama praised you deeply, declaring, 'You are as dear to Me as My own brother Bharata.'
Chaupai 12
सहस बदन तुम्हरो यश गावैं । अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं ॥
Sahasa badana tumharo yaśa gāvaiṃ | Asa kahi śrīpati kaṇṭha lagāvaiṃ ||
Translation: 'The thousand-headed Serpent Lord Seshanaga sings your glory,' saying this, Lord Rama embraced you affectionately.
Chaupai 13
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा । नारद सारद सहित अहीसा ॥
Sanakādika brahmādi munīsā | Nārada sārada sahita ahīsā ||
Translation: Sages like Sanaka, Brahma, Narada, Goddess Saraswati, and the King of Serpents all sing your praises.
Chaupai 14
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते । कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहाँ ते ॥
Yama kubera digpāla jahāṃ te | Kabi kobida kahi sake kahāṃ te ||
Translation: Yama, Kubera, and the guardians of the eight directions cannot fully express your infinite glory; how then can poets and scholars describe it?
Chaupai 15
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा । राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा ॥
Tuma upakāra sugrīvahiṃ kīnhā | Rāma milāya rāja pada dīnhā ||
Translation: You rendered immense service to Sugriva by introducing him to Lord Rama, bestowing upon him the kingdom of Kishkindha.
Verse Breakdown & Transliteration Tables
According to the Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary, understanding verse boundaries across Awadhi poetic meters enhances vocal accuracy:
| Verse Segment | Primary Script | IAST Transliteration | Word Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Couplets | Devanagari | IAST Diacritics | 20 words |
| Core Chaupais 1–20 | Devanagari | IAST Diacritics | 200 words |
| Core Chaupais 21–40 | Devanagari | IAST Diacritics | 190 words |
| Closing Couplet | Devanagari | IAST Diacritics | 20 words |
Key Divine Epithets Matrix
| Epithet | Script | IAST Transliteration | Poetic Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kapīsa | कपीस | kapīsa | Lord of Monkeys |
| Rāmadūta | रामदूत | rāmadūta | Messenger of Lord Rama |
| Bajarangī | बजरंगी | bajarangī | Body like a thunderbolt |
| Kesari Nandan | केसरी नंदन | kesarī nandana | Beloved son of Kesari |
| Pavanasuta | पवनसुत | pavanasuta | Son of the Wind God |
Did you know?
Goswami Tulsidas uses over 12 distinct honorific epithets for Lord Hanuman throughout the 40 Chaupais, highlighting his roles as warrior, messenger, scholar, and devotee.
Closing Invocation: Doha 3
पवनतनय संकट हरन, मंगल मूरति रूप ।
राम लखन सीता सहित, हृदय बसहु सुर भूप ॥
Pavanatanaya saṅkaṭa harana, maṅgala mūrati rūpa |
Rāma lakhana sītā sahita, hṛdaya basahu sura bhūpa ||
English Translation: O Son of the Wind God, dispeller of afflictions, embodiment of auspiciousness! Reside eternally in my heart along with Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Mother Sita, O King of Devas!
4-Step Method to Study Full Lyrics
- Read Script and Transliteration Side by Side: Compare Devanagari text with IAST transliteration guide.
- Review Word Meanings: Consult our comprehensive guide on Hanuman Chalisa meaning for line translations.
- Listen to Audio Narration: Use slowed audio playback on Slokas Assistant to follow syllable rhythm.
- Practice Line Recitation: Recite 2 lines daily following our guide on how to memorize Hanuman Chalisa.
Related Guides & Further Reading
- Learn Hanuman Chalisa: Step-by-Step Guide
- Hanuman Chalisa Meaning: Word-by-Word Translation
- How to Learn Hanuman Chalisa Step by Step
- How to Memorize Hanuman Chalisa Easily
- How to Pronounce Hanuman Chalisa Correctly
- What is a Sloka? Meaning & Structure
Sources & Scriptural References
- Tulsidas, Goswami. Hanuman Chalisa. Gita Press, Gorakhpur edition.
- Monier-Williams, Monier. A Sanskrit-English Dictionary. Oxford University Press.
- Ranade, R. D. Mysticism in India: The Poet-Saints of Maharashtra and North India. State University of New York Press.