Hanuman Chalisa Meaning in English (Line by Line)

Shreeguru Charan Saroj Raj Nij Manu Mukuru Sudhari ।
Baranaun Raghubar Bimal Jasu Jo Dayaku Phal Chari ॥

Meaning: I clean the mirror of my mind with the dust of my Guru’s lotus feet. Then I sing the pure glory of Shri Raghubar (Shri Ram), which gives the four fruits of life: dharma, artha, kama and moksha.

Explanation: Tulsidas begins by bowing to the Guru. As long as pride and ignorance sit like dust on the mind, we cannot sing God’s glory properly. The Guru’s grace wipes that dust away. The Hanuman Chalisa starts with Shri Ram’s glory, because all of Hanuman ji’s greatness lies in his devotion to Ram.

Buddhiheen Tanu Janike, Sumiraun Pavan-Kumar ।
Bal Budhi Bidya Dehu Mohin, Harahu Kales Bikar ॥

Meaning: Knowing that I have little wisdom, I remember Hanuman ji, the son of the Wind. O Hanuman ji, give me strength, wisdom and knowledge, and take away my troubles (kales) and the faults of my mind (bikar).

Explanation: The devotee honestly accepts that their own cleverness cannot take them to God. So they ask for three things: bal (strength of body and mind), budhi (the sense of right and wrong) and bidya (knowledge). “Kales” are the troubles that come from outside, and “bikar” are the faults inside us, like desire, anger, greed and attachment.

Jai Hanuman Gyan Gun Sagar ।
Jai Kapees Tihun Lok Ujagar ॥

Meaning: Victory to you, Hanuman ji, ocean of knowledge and good qualities. Victory to you, Kapees (lord of the monkeys), whose fame shines across the three worlds.

Explanation: The first chaupai opens with a cheer of victory. He is called an ocean because there is no end to his knowledge and good qualities. “Tihun Lok”, the three worlds, means heaven, earth and the world below, and his fame has spread through all three.

Ram Doot Atulit Bal Dhama ।
Anjani-Putra Pavanasut Nama ॥

Meaning: You are Shri Ram’s messenger and a home of strength that has no equal. You are known as Anjani-Putra (son of Anjana) and Pavanasut (son of the Wind god).

Explanation: Hanuman ji is known first of all as “Ram Doot”, Ram’s messenger: all his strength is for Shri Ram’s work. As the son of mother Anjana he is Anjani-Putra, and as the son of Pavan Dev, the Wind god, he is Pavanasut.

Mahabeer Bikram Bajarangi ।
Kumati Nivar Sumati Ke Sangi ॥

Meaning: O great hero, you are very brave, and your body is as strong as a vajra (thunderbolt). You take away bad thinking and stand by those who think well.

Explanation: “Bajarangi” comes from “bajra” (vajra, the thunderbolt) and “ang” (limbs): one whose limbs are as strong as a thunderbolt. Here Tulsidas speaks of Hanuman ji’s wisdom along with his strength. He clears wrong thoughts from the mind and shows the right way.

Kanchan Baran Biraj Subesa ।
Kanan Kundal Kunchit Kesa ॥

Meaning: Your colour is like gold and you look handsome in fine clothes. You wear earrings, and your hair is curly.

Explanation: This chaupai paints a picture of Hanuman ji, so that we can see this form in our mind while we read. “Kanchan Baran” means a colour that shines like gold.

Hath Bajra Aur Dhvaja Birajai ।
Kandhe Moonj Janeu Sajai ॥

Meaning: In your hands shine the vajra and a flag, and a sacred thread of moonj grass sits on your shoulder.

Explanation: The vajra stands for strength and the flag for victory. The sacred thread (janeu) made of moonj, a kind of grass, reminds us of his self-control and pure life.

Sankar Suvan Kesareenandan ।
Tej Pratap Maha Jag Bandan ॥

Meaning: You are a form of Lord Shankar (Shiva) and the son of Kesari ji. Your glory and power are great, and the whole world bows to you.

Explanation: “Sankar Suvan” shows Hanuman ji as a form of Lord Shiva. The monkey king Kesari is his father, so he is called Kesareenandan, the son of Kesari.

Bidyavan Guni Ati Chatur ।
Ram Kaj Karibe Ko Atur ॥

Meaning: You are learned, full of good qualities and very clever, and you are always eager to do Shri Ram’s work.

Explanation: All of Hanuman ji’s learning and cleverness go into one thing: Ram’s work. Knowledge and good qualities are worth something only when they are used for good work.

Prabhu Charitra Sunibe Ko Rasiya ।
Ram Lakhan Seeta Man Basiya ॥

Meaning: You love to hear the story of Lord Shri Ram. Shri Ram, Lakshman ji and Sita ji live in your heart.

Explanation: Hanuman ji takes great joy in hearing the Ram katha. Devotees believe that wherever the Ram katha is told, he comes to listen. “Lakhan” is Lakshman ji’s name; Gita Press prints it in the old spelling लषन.

Sookshma Roop Dhari Siyahin Dikhava ।
Bikat Roop Dhari Lank Jarava ॥

Meaning: You took a tiny form to appear before Sita ji, and a fearsome form to burn Lanka.

Explanation: In the Ashok Vatika, Hanuman ji hid among the leaves of a tree in a tiny form and met Sita ji, so that she would not be frightened. Later he took a huge form and set Lanka on fire. He takes whatever form the moment needs.

Bheem Roop Dhari Asur Sanhare ।
Ramachandra Ke Kaj Sanvare ॥

Meaning: You took a huge form to destroy the demons, and you completed the work of Shri Ramachandra.

Explanation: In the war at Lanka, Hanuman ji killed many demons. Here too, his bravery is never for himself but for Shri Ram’s work.

Lay Sajeevan Lakhan Jiyaye ।
Shreeraghubeer Harashi Ur Laye ॥

Meaning: You brought the sanjeevani herb and brought Lakshman ji back to life. Shri Raghubeer (Shri Ram) was so happy that he hugged you to his heart.

Explanation: In the war, Lakshman ji fell unconscious when Meghnad’s weapon struck him. Hanuman ji brought the sanjeevani herb from the Dronagiri mountain overnight, and when he could not tell which herb it was, he carried the whole mountain. “Sajeevan” is this sanjeevani herb.

Raghupati Keenhi Bahut Badai ।
Tum Mam Priy Bharatahi Sam Bhai ॥

Meaning: Shri Raghupati (Shri Ram) praised you a lot and said: you are as dear to me as my brother Bharat.

Explanation: Bharat was the brother Shri Ram loved the most. Calling Hanuman ji as dear as Bharat shows how much Shri Ram loved him.

Sahas Badan Tumharo Jas Gavain ।
As Kahi Shreepati Kanth Lagavain ॥

Meaning: “The thousand-mouthed Sheshnag sings your glory,” says Shreepati (Shri Ram), and hugs you.

Explanation: Sheshnag, the divine serpent, is said to have a thousand mouths. Shri Ram says Hanuman ji’s glory is so great that only Shesh, with his thousand mouths, can sing it, and he hugs Hanuman ji with love. “Shreepati” means the husband of Shree (Sita ji).

Sanakadik Brahmadi Muneesa ।
Narad Sarad Sahit Aheesa ॥

Meaning: Sanak and the other sages, Brahma and the other gods, the great munis, Narad ji, Saraswati ji and Sheshnag too sing your glory.

Explanation: This chaupai and the next are still Shri Ram speaking: sages, gods and munis all sing Hanuman ji’s glory. “Sarad” is Saraswati ji, and “Aheesa” is Sheshnag, the king of serpents.

Jam Kuber Digapal Jahan Te ।
Kabi Kobid Kahi Sake Kahan Te ॥

Meaning: Yamraj, Kuber and the guardians of the directions (digpal) also sing your glory. So how can poets and scholars ever describe it fully?

Explanation: These three chaupais say that there is no end to Hanuman ji’s glory. When even the gods sing it, no poet can ever describe all of it. “Kobid” means a learned person.

Tum Upakar Sugreevahin Keenha ।
Ram Milay Raj Pad Deenha ॥

Meaning: You did Sugreev a great favour: you brought him to Shri Ram and got him the throne.

Explanation: Sugreev lived on the Rishyamook mountain, afraid of his brother Bali. Hanuman ji brought him to meet Shri Ram and Lakshman ji. Shri Ram killed Bali and made Sugreev the king of Kishkindha.

Tumharo Mantra Bibheeshan Mana ।
Lankesvar Bhae Sab Jag Jana ॥

Meaning: Vibheeshan followed your advice (mantra) and became the king of Lanka. The whole world knows this.

Explanation: Hanuman ji met Vibheeshan in Lanka, and his words gave Vibheeshan the courage to go to Shri Ram for shelter. After taking Ram’s shelter, he became the king of Lanka. “Mantra” here means advice.

Jug Sahasra Jojan Par Bhanu ।
Leelyo Tahi Madhur Phal Janu ॥

Meaning: The sun is a huge distance away (jug sahasra jojan), yet you swallowed it, thinking it was a sweet fruit.

Explanation: This is a story from Hanuman ji’s childhood. He took the red rising sun for a fruit and flew up into the sky to eat it. “Jug Sahasra Jojan” tells us how far away the sun is. Some people multiply these numbers and get close to the real distance of the sun; there is a question on this at the end of the page.

Prabhu Mudrika Meli Mukh Mahin ।
Jaladhi Langhi Gaye Acharaj Nahin ॥

Meaning: Keeping Lord Shri Ram’s ring in your mouth, you leapt across the ocean. It is no wonder.

Explanation: When Hanuman ji set out to find Sita ji, Shri Ram gave him his ring, with Ram’s name on it, so that she would know who sent him. Tulsidas says that with Ram’s name along, crossing an ocean a hundred yojans wide is no wonder at all.

Durgam Kaj Jagat Ke Jete ।
Sugam Anugrah Tumhare Tete ॥

Meaning: Every hard task in the world becomes easy with your grace.

Explanation: Devotees remember Hanuman ji in hard times, because trust in his grace gives the mind courage and hard work starts to feel easier. This is about trust, not about giving up our own effort.

Ram Duare Tum Rakhavare ।
Hot Na Agya Binu Paisare ॥

Meaning: You guard Shri Ram’s door. No one can enter without your permission.

Explanation: It means the way to Shri Ram goes through Hanuman ji. That is why devotees of Ram remember Hanuman ji first.

Sab Sukh Lahai Tumhari Sarana ।
Tum Rachchhak Kahu Ko Dar Na ॥

Meaning: Whoever comes to your shelter finds every happiness. When you are the protector (rachchhak), there is nothing to fear.

Explanation: “Rachchhak” means protector. To come to his shelter is to trust him fully, and that kind of trust takes fear out of the mind.

Apan Tej Samharo Apai ।
Teenon Lok Hank Ten Kanpai ॥

Meaning: Only you can hold your own power. The three worlds tremble at your roar.

Explanation: Hanuman ji’s strength is so great that no one else can hold it back. One story says that because of a curse from some sages he kept forgetting his strength, and before he leapt across the ocean, Jambavan ji reminded him of it. So some scholars also read “Samharo” as “remember”.

Bhoot Pisach Nikat Nahin Avai ।
Mahabeer Jab Nam Sunavai ॥

Meaning: When the name of Mahabeer Hanuman ji is said, ghosts and evil spirits do not come near.

Explanation: Devotees believe that Hanuman ji’s name drives fear away. That is why people read the Hanuman Chalisa when they feel afraid in the dark or alone: saying his name gives the mind courage.

Nasai Rog Harai Sab Peera ।
Japat Nirantar Hanumat Beera ॥

Meaning: Chanting the name of the brave Hanuman ji again and again destroys disease and removes all pain.

Explanation: This is the faith of the devotee. Chanting makes the mind calm and strong, and gives patience during an illness. When you are ill, a doctor’s advice and treatment are just as important. Chanting goes along with them and does not replace them.

Sankat Ten Hanuman Chhudavai ।
Man Kram Bachan Dhyan Jo Lavai ॥

Meaning: Hanuman ji frees from trouble anyone who keeps him in mind in thought, deed and word.

Explanation: Note the words “Man Kram Bachan”: thought, action and speech, true devotion in all three. Just repeating the words is not enough; the same feeling should show in daily life.

Sab Par Ram Tapasvi Raja ।
Tin Ke Kaj Sakal Tum Saja ॥

Meaning: Shri Ram, the king who lived like an ascetic, is above everyone, and you completed all his work.

Explanation: Though he was a king, Shri Ram lived in the forest like a sage. Hanuman ji completed the work of this greatest Lord: finding Sita ji, bringing the sanjeevani and fighting in the war at Lanka.

Aur Manorath Jo Koi Lavai ।
Soi Amit Jeevan Phal Pavai ॥

Meaning: Whoever comes to you with any wish (manorath) receives its endless fruit in life.

Explanation: Devotees believe that a prayer from a true heart does not go to waste. This does not mean every wish will come true exactly as we want. It is about trusting Hanuman ji.

Charon Jug Paratap Tumhara ।
Hai Parasiddha Jagat Ujiyara ॥

Meaning: Your glory shines in all four yugas (Satyug, Treta, Dwapar and Kalyug), and your fame is known across the world and lights it up.

Explanation: Hanuman ji is believed to be chiranjeevi, one who lives forever, so he is present in every age. In the Mahabharat too, he meets Bheem and sits on the flag of Arjun’s chariot.

Sadhu Sant Ke Tum Rakhavare ।
Asur Nikandan Ram Dulare ॥

Meaning: You protect sadhus and saints, you destroy the demons, and you are dear to Shri Ram.

Explanation: “Nikandan” means one who destroys from the root. Protecting good people on one side and ending evil on the other: both sides of Hanuman ji appear here together.

Ashta Siddhi Nau Nidhi Ke Data ।
As Bar Deen Janaki Mata ॥

Meaning: You can give the eight siddhis and the nine nidhis; mother Janaki (Sita ji) gave you this boon.

Explanation: It is believed that Sita ji, pleased with Hanuman ji in the Ashok Vatika, gave him this boon. The names of the eight siddhis and nine nidhis are in a question at the end of the page.

Ram Rasayan Tumhare Pasa ।
Sada Raho Raghupati Ke Dasa ॥

Meaning: You hold the medicine of devotion to Ram (Ram rasayan), and you always remain the servant of Shri Raghupati (Shri Ram).

Explanation: A “rasayan” is a medicine that brings new life. Here devotion to Ram itself is called that medicine, the one that heals the mind. Hanuman ji has this greatest treasure, because he is always Ram’s servant.

Tumhare Bhajan Ram Ko Pavai ।
Janam Janam Ke Dukh Bisaravai ॥

Meaning: Through your bhajan, a devotee reaches Shri Ram and forgets the sorrows of many lives.

Explanation: Devotion to Hanuman ji leads to devotion to Ram. “Bisaravai” means to make one forget: when Ram’s love fills the heart, old sorrows leave the mind.

Ant Kal Raghubar Pur Jai ।
Jahan Janma Hari-Bhakta Kahai ॥

Meaning: At the end, such a devotee goes to the home of Shri Raghubar (Shri Ram), and wherever they are born again, they are known as a devotee of Hari.

Explanation: It means true devotion does not end with this life. Such a devotee is born again as a devotee of God.

Aur Devata Chitta Na Dharai ।
Hanumat Sei Sarba Sukh Karai ॥

Meaning: Even without keeping other gods in mind, one gets every happiness just by serving Hanuman ji.

Explanation: This does not mean the other gods are smaller. It only means that devotion to Hanuman ji is complete in itself, because devotion to Ram comes with it.

Sankat Katai Mitai Sab Peera ।
Jo Sumirai Hanumat Balabeera ॥

Meaning: Whoever remembers the mighty Hanuman ji has their troubles cut away and all their pain removed.

Explanation: “Sumirai” means to remember. Remembering Hanuman ji in hard times gives the mind courage and makes fear smaller; devotees take this as their troubles being cut away.

Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosain ।
Kripa Karahu Guru Dev Ki Nain ॥

Meaning: Victory, victory, victory to you, Hanuman ji, my lord (Gosain). Bless me with your kindness, the way a guru blesses.

Explanation: Saying “Jai” three times is a cheer from the whole heart. A guru is kind to the disciple without conditions and corrects their mistakes; the devotee asks Hanuman ji for the same kindness.

Jo Sat Bar Path Kar Koi ।
Chhootahi Bandi Maha Sukh Hoi ॥

Meaning: Whoever reads this a hundred times (sat bar) is freed from bondage and finds great happiness.

Explanation: “Sat” means a hundred, and “bandi” means bondage; saints take it as being freed from the bonds of this world. Many devotees read it a hundred times with a sankalp.

Jo Yah Padhai Hanuman Chaleesa ।
Hoy Siddhi Sakhi Gaureesa ॥

Meaning: Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa gains siddhi (success), and Gaureesa (Lord Shiva) is the witness.

Explanation: This line tells what reading the Chalisa brings, which is called the phalashruti. Devotees take “siddhi” to mean both strength of mind and success in work. It is a matter of faith: results come from God’s grace and our own effort.

Tulaseedas Sada Hari Chera ।
Keejai Nath Hriday Mahan Dera ॥

Meaning: Tulsidas is forever a servant of Hari (Shri Ram). O Lord, make your home in my heart.

Explanation: At the end, Tulsidas calls himself “Hari Chera”, God’s servant, and asks for no wealth or position, only that Hanuman ji lives in his heart.

Pavanatanay Sankat Haran, Mangal Moorati Roop ।
Ram Lakhan Seeta Sahit, Hriday Basahu Sur Bhoop ॥

Meaning: O son of the Wind, you remove troubles and you are the very form of all that is good. O king of the gods, live in my heart along with Shri Ram, Lakshman ji and Sita ji.

Explanation: In the last doha, the devotee invites Hanuman ji into their heart not alone but with Ram’s whole family, because where Hanuman ji is, Shri Ram is too.

॥ Jayaghosh ॥

Bolo ..
॥ Siyavar Ramachandra Ki Jai ॥
॥ Pavanasut Hanuman Ki Jai ॥
॥ Umapati Mahadev Ki Jai ॥
॥ Vrindavan Krishna Chandra Ki Jai ॥
॥ Bolo Bhai Sab Santan Ki Jai ॥
॥ Iti ॥