Hanuman Chalisa
(many thanks to Kiran Jatania for providing English transliteration)

[DOHA]

Shree Guru Charan Saroj Raj, Nij Man Mukar Sudhari,
Barnau Raghuvar Bimal Jasu, Jo dayaku Phal Chari
With the dust of Guru’s Lotus feet, I clean the mirror of my mind and then narrate the sacred glory of Sri Ram Chandra, The Supreme among the Raghu dynasty. The giver of the four attainments of life.

Budhi heen Tanu Janike, Sumirow, Pavan Kumar,
Bal Buddhi Vidya Dehu Mohi, Harahu Kalesh Bikaar
Knowing myself to be ignorent, I urge you, O Hanuman, The son of Pavan! O Lord! kindly Bestow on me strength, wisdom and knowledge, removing all my miseries and blemishes.

 

[CHOPAI]

Jai Hanuman Gyan Guna Sagar
Jai Kipis Tihun Lok Ujagar
Victory of Thee, O Hanuman, Ocean of wisdom and virtue, victory to the Lord of the monkeys who is well known in all the three worlds

Ramdoot Atulit Bal Dhamaa,
Anjani Putra Pavansut naamaa.
You, the Divine messager of Ram and repository of immeasurable strength, are also known as Anjaniputra and known as the son of the wind – Pavanputra.

Maheveer Bikram Bajrangi,
Kumati Nivaar Sumati Ke Sangi.
Oh Hanumanji! You are valiant and brave, with a body like lightening. You are the dispeller of darkness of evil thoughts and companion of good sense and wisdom.

Kanchan Baran Biraaj Subesaa,
Kanan kundal kunchit kesa.
Shri Hanumanji’s physique is golden coloured. His dress is pretty, wearing ‘Kundals’ ear-rings and his hairs are long and curly.

Hath Bajra Aur Dhvaja Birjai,
Kandhe Moonj Janeu Saaje.
Shri Hanumanji is holding in one hand a lighting bolt and in the other a banner with sacred thread across his shoulder.

Shankar Suvan Kesari Nandan,
Tej Pratap Maha Jag Vandan.
Oh Hanumanji! You are the emanation of ‘SHIVA’ and you delight Shri Keshri.
Being ever effulgent, you and hold vast sway over the universe. You are worshipped and adored by all.

Vidyavaan Guni Ati Chatur,
Ram Kaj Karibe Ko Atur
Oh! Shri Hanumanji! You are the repository learning, virtuous, very wise and ever keen to do the work of Shri Ram,

Prabhu Charittra Sunibe Ko Rasiya,
Ram Lakhan Sita Man Basyia
You revel in listening to the stories of Lord Ram
You ever dwell in the hearts of Ram Sita and Lakshman.

Sukshma Roop Dhari Siyahi Dikhwana,
Bikat Roop Dhari Lank Jarawa
You appeared before Sita in a small form and spoke to her, while you assumed an awesome form and struck terror by setting Lanka on fire.

Bhim Roop Dhari Asur Sanhare,
Ramchandra Ke Kaaj Savare.
He, with his terrible form, killed demons in Lanka and performed the work of Shri Ramchandra.

Laye Sajivan Lakhan Jiyaye,
Shri Raghuvir Harashi Ur Laye.
When Hanumanji revived Lakshman alive after bringing ‘Sanjivni herb’ Shri Ram took him in his deep embrace, his heart full of joy.

Raghupati Kinhi Bahut Badaai,
Tum Mama Priya Bharat Sam Bahi.
Shri Ram lustily extolled Hanumanji’s excellence and remarked, “you are as dear to me as my own brother Bharat”

Sahastra Badan Tumharo Jas Gaave,
Asa Kahi Shripati Kanth Laagave.
Shri Ram embraced Hanumanji saying: “Let the thousand – tongued sheshnaag sing your glories”

Sankadik Brahmadi Muneesa,
Narad Sarad Sahit Aheesa
Sanak and the sages, Brahma, gods and the great saints,
Narada, Saraswati and the King of serpents…

Yam Kuber Digpal Jahan Te,
Kabi Kabid Kahin Sake Kahan Te
…And even Gods like Yamraj, Kuber, and Digpal fail to narrate the breadth of Hanuman’s greatness.

Tum Upkar Sugrivahi Keenha,
Ram Miali Rajpad Deenha
Hanumanji! You rendered a great service for Sugriva, by uniting him with Shri Ram who installed him on the Royal Throne.

Tumharo Mantro Bibhishan Maana,
Lankeshwar Bhaye Sab Jag Jaana
By heeding your advice. Vibhushan became Lord of Lanka – this is known across the whole universe.

Yug Sahastra Jojan Par Bhanu
Leelyo Tahi Madhur Phal Janu
Though the sun is thousands of miles away,
You swallowed it, thinking it to be a sweet fruit.

Prabhu Mudrika Meli Mukh Mahee
Jaladhi Langhi Gaye Achraj Nahee
Holding the Lord’s ring in your mouth
It’s no surprise that you leapt over the ocean.

Durgaam kaj jagat ke jete
Sugam anugraha tumhre tete
Every difficult task in this world
Becomes easy by your grace.

Ram dware tum rakhvare
Hoat na agya binu paisare
You are the guardian at Ram’s door,
No one enters without your leave.

Sub sukh lahai tumhari sarna
Tum rakshak kahu ko dar na
Those who take refuge in you find all happiness
and those who you protect know no fear.

Aapan tej samharo aapai
Teenhon lok hank te kanpa
You alone can withstand your own splendor,
The three worlds tremble at your roar.

Bhoot pisach Nikat nahin aavai
Mahavir jab naam sunavai
Ghosts and goblins cannot come near,
When your name “Mahavir”, (he of great courage), is uttered.

Nase rog harai sab peera
Japat nirantar Hanumant beera
All disease and pain is eradicated,
Brave Hanuman, by constant repetition of your name.

Sankat se Hanuman chudavai
Man Karam Vachan dyan jo lavai
Hanuman releases from affliction
those who remember him in thought word and deed.

Sub par Ram tapasvee raja
Tin ke kaj sakal Tum saja
Ram, the ascetic, reigns over all,
but you carry out all his work.

Aur manorath jo koi lavai
Sohi amit jeevan phal pavai
One who comes to you with any yearning
obtains the abundance of the Four Fruits of Life.

Charon Yug partap tumhara
Hai persidh jagat ujiyara
Your splendor fills the four ages
your glory is renowned throughout the world.

Sadhu Sant ke tum Rakhware
Asur nikandan Ram dulhare
You are the guardian of saints and sages,
the destroyer of demons and the darling of Ram.

Ashta sidhi nav nidhi ke dhata
Us var deen Janki mata
You grant the eight powers and the nine treasures
by the boon you received from Mother Janaki.

Ram rasayan tumhare pasa
Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa
You hold the elixir of Ram’s name
and remain eternally his servant.

Tumhare bhajan Ram ko pavai
Janam janam ke dukh bisravai
Singing your praise, one finds Ram
and escapes the sorrows of countless lives.

Anth kaal Raghuvir pur jayee
Jahan janam Hari-Bakht Kahayee
At death one goes to Ram’s own city
or is born on the earth as God’s devotee.

Aur Devta Chit na dharehi
Hanumanth se hi sarve sukh karehi
Give no thought to any other deity,
worshipping Hanuman, one gains all delight.

Sankat kate mite sab peera
Jo sumirai Hanumat Balbeera
All affliction ceases and all pain is removed
by remembering the mighty Hanuman.

Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosain
Kripa Karahu Gurudev ki nyahin
Victory, Victory, Victory to Lord Hanuman!
Bestow your grace on me, as my Guru!

Jo sat bar path kare kohi
Chutahi bandhi maha sukh hohi
Whoever recites this a hundred times
is released from bondage and gains bliss.

Jo yah padhe Hanuman Chalisa
Hoye siddhi sakhi Gaureesa
One who reads this Hanuman Chaleesa
gains success, as Gauri’s Lord (Shiva) is witness.

Tulsidas sada hari chera
Keejai Das Hrdaye mein dera
Says Tulsi Das, who always remains Hari’s servant:
“Lord, make your home in my heart.”

[DOHA]

Pavantnai sankat haran,
Mangal murti roop
Ram Lakhan Sita sahit,
Hrdaye basahu sur bhoop

Son of the Wind, destroyer of sorrow, embodiment of blessing,
Live in my heart, King of Gods, together with Ram, Lakshman and Sita.

About this bhajan

Of all the bhajans and prayers, the Hanuman Chalisa is probably one of the most powerful for me. Written by Shri Tulsidasji who also wrote the Ram Charitra Manas (or Tulsi Ramayan), it invokes and celebrates the spirit of Hanuman – the Lord’s ultimate and dearest devotee. Many people sing this either once daily, or repeat it 7 times or 108 times in a single sitting! The aim of this repetition is to allow a reflection on all the qualities of Hanuman described in each verse. We often become, or imitate, what we admire – the ultimate aim therefore is to create an environment in the mind where these qualities can develop and shine.
It is said that Hanuman was both a master of all 3 paths to the Lord: knowledge, devotion, and service. What better ideal to follow and revere than Him?

At an earlier stage as I reflected on Shree Hanuman, there was some confusion that arose. How is it possible that we can worship a figure who Himself is a disciple of the Lord? I eventually realised that we not only can, but we must. To not understand this is to not understand the concept of God in any other way that as “the Man in the Sky”, which He certainly is not. Advaita Vedanta teaches us that there is none other than God that exists. The only obstacle in helping us see this is ignorance of our true nature. If this ignorance is removed, then our individuality dissolves and we are at one with Him. This is the state we describe as “Enlightened”. From the description given above, it is evident that Hanuman was an Enlightened soul, and therefore at one with the Lord. It is this IDEAL that we seek.

One of my favourite stories is when Hanuman first meets Lord Ram. During their mutual introduction, Shri Ramchandra asks Hanuman, “What is your relationship to me?”. Hanuman’s splendid reply, which captures in the most perfect way the relationship between man and the Lord, is as follows:

deha-buddhya tu daso’smi jiva-buddhya tvadamshakah | atma-buddhya tvamevaham iti me nishcita matih ||
“As a body, I am your servant; as an individual soul, I am a part of you and you are the whole; as the Self, we both are one. This is my firm conviction!”

Swami Tejomayanandaji – head of the Chinmaya Mission – has written a beautiful commentary on the Chalisa giving the full meaning underlying each verse. It is very much worth a read. I have found an online version here:
http://chinmayasaaket.org/articles/guruji/Hanuman_chalisa.pdf