40 Verses of Hanuman Chalisa by Sant Tulsidas glorifies Lord Hanuman

A deeper understanding of Shree Hanuman Chalisa – A Prayer Dedicated to Lord Hanuman

श्री हनुमान चालीसा

Hanuman Chalisa – A devotional praise dedicated to Lord Hanuman (The Monkey God). Singing the glory of Lord Hanuman Sant Tulasidas composed the 40 chaupais, 40 couplets (doha), hence called Chalisa, chalis means 40 in hindi.

Hanuman Chalisa comprises of two introductory Doha, forty Chaupais and one Doha in the end. Hanuman Chalisa glorifies the strength, courage, devotion, intelligence, compassion, celibacy, wisdom, positive vibes, life saver and many more qualities of lord hanuman who is the true devotee of Lord Rama. He is the epitome of love, devotion and surrender, a true bhakta.

Many People in this world of any religion sing the Glory of Hanuman with love to get out of troubles, diseases, to gain strength, devotion and love for God. Hanuman Chalisa is like the protection guard. When fears & insecurities wrap us, when we caught up in negative energies, when we feel alone and need strength Hanuman chalisa is the saviour. Hanuman Chalisa is composed by His Devotee Tulasidas around 400 years ago in awadhi language, a different form of hindi.

So here in this article, lets explore the meaning of Hanuman Chalisa.

Guru-Master Charan-Feet Saroj-Lotus Raj-Dust Nij-Own Mann-Mind Mukuru-Mirror Sudhaari-Cleaning Barnau-Narration Raguvar-Lord Rama Vimal-flawless Jasu-Glory Jo-which Dayaku-give Phal-Fruits Chari-four

Cleaning the Mirror (mind) with the Dust of Lotus feet of Master. Narrating the flawless Glory of Lord Rama which gives four fruits.

Cleaning the mind from shad ripus (desires/lust, anger, greed, attachment, ego, Jealousy) under the guidance of master(Guru) by the tools taught by master(Guru), I (tulsidas) narrates the purest of pure glory of Lord Rama. Singing the Lord Rama name the four fruits can be gained. Here the four fruits are Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha – four pillars of life.

बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके, सुमिरौ पवनकुमार।
बल बुद्धि विधा देहु मोहि हरहु कलेस विकार॥

buddhiheena tanu jaanike, sumirau pavanakumaara।
bala budhi vidyaa dehu mohi harahu kalesa vikaara॥

Buddhiheen-No intelligence Tanu-Body Janike-knowing Sumirau-remembering/chanting Pawankumar-Son of Wind(Another name of Lord Hanuman)
Bal-Strength Buddhi-Intelligence Vidya-Knowledge Dehu-give Harahu-remove/take off Kalesa-afflictions which cause pain and suffering Vikaar-impurities/imperfections

O lord, Knowing as there is no intelligence in me and my body I remember you and chant your name lord hanuman. Please Bless me with Strength, wisdom, Knowledge and take off all my afflictions (Avidya – Ignorance, Asmita – the I ness, Raga – Attachment, Dvesha – hatred, and Abhinivesa – fear of death)  and imperections.

I am the Ignorant one from the body and mind. I am living life with avidya and with all these imperfections I remember you Lord Hanuman. Bestow me with Strength, Wisdom, Knowledge as you have and take off all my afflictions (Avidya – Ignorance, Asmita – the I ness, Raga – Attachment, Dvesha – hatred, and Abhinivesha – fear of death)  and imperfections.

These afflications are the cause of birth and death. Lord Hanuman who is chiranjeevi(who never dies), jitendriya(has control over senses), viveki (wise), Vairagi (beyond attachment and hatred) can bless us with wisdom. He can take off all fears even the fear of death, he can free us from attachment, hared, ego, I and my ness. May Lord Hanuman bestow the Pure knowledge of who am I and make me free from all bondages.

After praying to Lord hanuman for the blessing, Sant Tulasi Das here glorifies the Lord Maruti (Another name of Lord Hanuman).

जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर।
जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर॥ १ ॥

jaya hanuman gyaan guna saagar।
jaya kapisa tihu loka ujagar॥ 1 ॥

Jaya – Victorious Gyan – Knowledge/Wisdom Gun – Virtues Sagar – Ocean Kapis – Lord of Monkeys Tihu Lok – Three Worlds Ujagar – to lighten up

O Victorious Hanuman, You are the ocean of Knowledge and Virtues. O Lord of Monkeys, you are the one who lightens up the three worlds.

Here in First couplets Tulasi das ji is praising Hanuman ji as the ocean, the store house of knowledge, wisdom & virtues like courage, valour, forgiveness, inner purity, control of senses, truthfulness etc. Tulasi Das ji addressing Hanuman ji as the lord of Monkeys who lightens up the three worlds – Heaven, Earth and Paataal (some where under the earth). with His knowledge and strength.

राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा।
अंजनि पुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥ २ ॥

rama doota atulita bala dhaamaa।
anjani putra pavanasuta naamaa॥ 2 ॥

Ram Doota – Messenger of Lord Rama Atulita – Non Comparable Bal – Courage Dhaamaa – Abode Anjani Putra – Son of Anjani (Mother of Lord Hanuman) Pawansuta – Son of Wind Naamaa – Name

O Lord, You are the messenger of Lord Rama and abode of incomparable courage. I praise you with the names, the Son of Mother Anjani and the son of Vayu Dev

O Lord, You are the messenger of Lord Rama. Lord Hanuman found the mata Sita and gave the message of Lord Rama to Sita and Message of Sita ji To Lord Rama. He also informed bharat (the younger brother of Lord Rama) when Lord Rama was coming to Ayodhaya after 14 years. He have served Lord Rama in many ways. Lord Hanuman is the abode of immense courage and strength. He is Anjani Putra(son), Mother Anjani did penance and got Hanuman as the fruit of penance. She was the great devotee of Lord Shiva. He is praised as Pawansuta – the son of Vayu Dev (God of wind) who is the protector of Hanuman and given Him the power to fly like anything.

महावीर विक्रम बजरंगी।
कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥ ३ ॥

mahāvīra vikrama bajarangī।
kumati nivāra sumati ke sangī॥ 3 ॥

Mahavir – Great Hero Vikram – Bold Bajrangi – As strong as VajraKumati – evil thought/ Vile Intellect Nivaar – cleanse/remove Sumati – Good Intellect Sangi – company

O lord, You are the great hero possessing Great body as strong as Vajra. You are the one who dispels or cleanses the evil intellect and accompanies the good intellect.

Lord Hanuman is the great hero, courageous and strong. He is as strong as Vajra (the weapon of Lord indra – king of Gods). Vajra is made out of the bones of Sage Dadhichi who did a lot of penance and donated his bones to devas to kill the demons. Here strength of Hanuman is compared with that weapon Vajra. Hanuman Ji is destroyer of evil intentions and bad intellect which pushes the person to do something wrong to someone. He accompanies and supports those having good and pure intentions like he helped Vibhishan who was living in Ravan palace and yet Lord Rama resides in his heart.

कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा।
कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा॥ ४ ॥

kanchana barana biraaja subesaa।
kaanan kundala kunchita kesaa॥ 4 ॥

Kanchan – Gold Barana – Complexion Biraj – magnificent Subesa – nicely dressed or form Kaanan – ears Kundal – rings Kunchit – curly Kesa – Hair

You complexion is of gold and has magnificent form. You are wearing ear rings and have curly hair.

Lord Hanuman’s physical form is described in this couplet. He has the golden complexion (brightening as powerful as Sun), shining form and neatly dressed. Ear Rings are enhancing His beauty and he has curly hair.

हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै।
काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजै॥ ५ ॥

haath bajra au dhvajaa biraajai।
kaandhe munja janeu saajai॥ 5 ॥

Haath – Hand  Bajra – Vajra  Au – And  Dhvajaa – Flag  Biraaje – have/hold Kaandhe – Shoulder Munja – Type of Grass  Janeu – sacred thread Saajai – adorns

You hold Vajra and flag in your hand. Sacred Thread adorns you across the shoulder.

O Lord you hold Vajra, the strongest weapon and the flag the symbol of victory, challenge and medium to communicate. You are wearing the sacred thread across your shoulder. This scared thread signifies the three qualities of Gyan, Bhakti and Karma (Knowledge, Devotions and action). one who has all gets the spiritual experience of brahman. Some believes the three strands of the sacred thread represent the three lines of tripunda on the forehead of Lord Shiva. This symbolizes spiritual wisdom, purity and penance.

Here we have shared 5 chaupais and two introductory dohas. Rest we will continue…