CHALISA

Shiv Chalisa

श्री शिव चालीसा

🙏 Shiva ✍️ Ayodhyadas 🗣️ Hindi 📜 42 verses 👁 23 reads Suggest a correction
Shiva

The Shiv Chalisa (श्री शिव चालीसा) is a forty-verse devotional hymn in praise of Lord Shiva — Mahadeva, the great god, who in Hindu cosmology holds the role of destroyer and regenerator of the universe. Unlike destruction in its ordinary sense, Shiva's function is the dissolution of ego, illusion, and everything that obstructs the soul's path to liberation.

The Chalisa describes Shiva's divine attributes and forms — his matted hair carrying the river Ganga, the crescent moon, the third eye of cosmic vision, the serpent Vasuki around his neck, and his dwelling on Mount Kailash. It recounts his role as both the ascetic hermit and the devoted husband of Parvati, a duality that makes him one of the most complex and beloved deities in the Hindu tradition.

Devotees recite it to seek mental peace, overcome fear, and invoke Shiva's grace for spiritual growth. It is traditionally chanted on Mondays — the day associated with Shiva worship — and holds special significance throughout the Shravan month, considered the most auspicious period in the Hindu calendar for Shiva devotion.

Doha
जय गणेश गिरिजा सुवन, मंगल मूल सुजान। कहत अयोध्यादास तुम, देहु अभय वरदान॥
Jai Ganesh Girija suvan, mangal mool sujan | Kahat Ayodhyadas tum, deu abhaya vardan ||
Victory to Lord Ganesha, the son of Parvati, the source of all auspiciousness and wisdom. The poet Ayodhyadas prays to You to grant the boon of fearlessness.
Chaupai 1
जय गिरिजा पति दीन दयाला। सदा करत सन्तन प्रतिपाला॥
Jai Girijapati deendayala | Sada karat santan pratipala ||
Victory to the husband of Parvati, the compassionate one towards the humble. You always protect and nourish the saints and devotees.
Chaupai 2
भाल चन्द्रमा सोहत नीके। कानन कुण्डल नागफनी के॥
Bhaal chandrama sohat niike | Kaanan kundal naagphani ke ||
The moon looks beautiful upon Your forehead, and You wear earrings made of the serpent's hood.
Chaupai 3
अंग गौर शिर गंग बहाये। मुण्डमाल तन क्षार लगाये॥
Ang gaur shir gang bahaye | Mundmaal tan kshar lagaye ||
Your fair body is adorned with the holy Ganga flowing from Your head; You wear a garland of skulls and smear Your body with holy ash.
Chaupai 4
वस्त्र खाल बाघम्बर सोहे। छवि को देख नाग मुनि मोहे॥
Vastra khaal baghambar sohe | Chhavi ko dekh naag muni mohe ||
You look magnificent in Your tiger-skin garments; seeing Your divine beauty, even the celestial serpents and sages are enchanted.
Chaupai 5
मैना मातु की हवै दुलारी। बाम अंग सोहत छवि न्यारी॥
Maina matu ki have dulari | Baam ang sohat chhavi nyari ||
The beloved daughter of Mother Maina (Parvati) resides on Your left side, creating a unique and divine appearance.
Chaupai 6
कर त्रिशूल सोहत छवि भारी। करत सदा शत्रुन क्षयकारी॥
Kar trishul sohat chhavi bhari | Karat sada shatrun shayakari ||
The trident in Your hand adds to Your majestic splendor; You are the eternal destroyer of all enemies.
Chaupai 7
नन्दि गणेश सोहै तहँ कैसे। सागर मध्य कमल हैं जैसे॥
Nandii ganesha sohain tahu kaise | Sagar madhya kamal hai jaise ||
Nandi and Ganesha look as beautiful beside You as lotuses blooming in the middle of an ocean.
Chaupai 8
कार्तिक श्याम और गणराऊ। या छवि को कहि जात न काऊ॥
Kartik shyam aur ganrau | Ya chhavi kau kahi jaat na kau ||
The beauty of Kartikeya and the leader of the Ganas accompanying You is beyond any description.
Chaupai 9
देवन जबहीं जाय पुकारा। तब ही दुख प्रभु आप निवारा॥
Devan jabahin jai pukara | Tab hi dukh prabhu aap nivara ||
Whenever the gods called out to You for help, You immediately removed their distress.
Chaupai 10
कियो उपद्रव तारक भारी। देवन सब मिलि तुमहिं जुहारी॥
Kiyo upadrv tarak bhari | Devan sab mili tumhin juhari ||
When the demon Tarakasura caused great trouble, all the gods together came to seek Your refuge.
Chaupai 11
तुरत षडानन आप पठायउ। लवनिमेष महँ मारि गिरायउ॥
Turat shadenan aap pathayu | Lava nimesh mahan mari girayu ||
You quickly sent the six-faced Kartikeya, who destroyed the demon in an instant.
Chaupai 12
आप जलन्धर असुर संहारा। सुयश तुम्हार विदित संसारा॥
Aap jalandhar asur sahara | Suyesh tumhaar vidit sansara ||
You destroyed the demon Jalandhara; Your glorious fame is known throughout the entire world.
Chaupai 13
त्रिपुरासुर सन युद्ध मचाई। सबहिं कृपा कर लीन बचाई॥
Tripurasur san yudh machai | Sabahin kripa kar leen bachai ||
You fought the demon Tripurasura and through Your grace, You saved everyone from his tyranny.
Chaupai 14
कियो तपहिं भागीरथ भारी। पुरब प्रतिज्ञा तासु पुरारी॥
Kiyo tapahin bhagirath bhari | Purab pratigya tasu purari ||
When King Bhagiratha performed intense penance, You fulfilled his ancient vow, O Purari.
Chaupai 15
दानिन महँ तुम सम कोउ नाहीं। सेवक स्तुति करत सदाहीं॥
Danin mahan tum sam kou nahin | Sevak stuti karat sadahin ||
There is no one as generous as You among the givers; Your devotees always sing Your praises.
Chaupai 16
वेद माहि महिमा तव गाई। अकथ अनादि भेद नहिं पाई॥
Ved mahi mahima tav gaai | Akath anaadi bhed nahin paai ||
Even the Vedas sing of Your glory, yet Your eternal mysteries remain beyond words and beginning.
Chaupai 17
प्रकटी उदधि मन्थन में ज्वाला। जरत सुरासुर भये विहाला॥
Prakati udadhi manthan mein jvala | Jarat surasur bhaye vihala ||
When the poisonous fire emerged during the churning of the ocean, gods and demons alike were distressed by its heat.
Chaupai 18
कीन्हीं दया तहँ करी सहाई। नीलकण्ठ तब नाम कहाई॥
Keenhi daya tahan kari sahaai | Neelkanth tab naam kahaai ||
Out of compassion, You helped them by drinking the poison, and thus You came to be known as Neelkanth (the blue-throated one).
Chaupai 19
पूजन रामचन्द्र जब कीन्हा। जीत के लंक विभीषण दीन्हा॥
Poojan ramchandra jab keenha | Jeet ke lank vibhishan deenha ||
When Lord Rama worshipped You, he conquered Lanka and handed it over to Vibhishana.
Chaupai 20
सहस कमल में हो रहे धारी। कीन्ह परीक्षा तबहिं पुरारी॥
Sahas kamal mein ho rahe dhari | Keenh pareeksha tabahin purari ||
When Rama offered a thousand lotuses, You hid one to test his devotion, O Purari.
Chaupai 21
एक कमल प्रभु राखेउ जोई। कमल नयन पूजन चहं सोई॥
Ek kamal prabhu rakheu joyi | Kamal nayan poojan chahan soi ||
When the lotus was missing, the 'lotus-eyed' Rama prepared to offer his own eye in worship.
Chaupai 22
कठिन भक्ति देखी प्रभु शंकर। भये प्रसन्न दिए इच्छित वर॥
Kathin bhakti dekhi prabhu shankar | Bhaye prasanna diye ichchhit var ||
Seeing such intense devotion, Lord Shankar was pleased and granted him the desired boon of victory.
Chaupai 23
जय जय जय अनन्त अविनाशी। करत कृपा सब के घट वासी॥
Jai jai jai anant avinashi | Karat kripa sab ke ghat vasi ||
Victory to You, the infinite and indestructible one, who resides in the hearts of all and showers grace upon them.
Chaupai 24
दुष्ट सकल नित मोहि सतावै। भ्रमत रहौं मोहि चैन न आवै॥
Dusht sakal nit mohi satave | Bhramat rahaun mohi chain na aave ||
Wicked thoughts and forces trouble me daily, and I wander without any peace of mind.
Chaupai 25
त्राहि त्राहि मैं नाथ पुकारो। येहि अवसर मोहि आन उबारो॥
Trahi trahi main nath pukaro | Yehi avasar mohi aan ubaro ||
Save me, save me, O Lord! I call out to You; please come and rescue me at this very moment.
Chaupai 26
लै त्रिशूल शत्रुन को मारो। संकट से मोहि आन उबारो॥
Lai trishul shatrun ko maro | Sankat se mohi aan ubaro ||
With Your trident, destroy my enemies and deliver me from all my troubles.
Chaupai 27
मात-पिता भ्राता सब कोई। संकट में पूछत नहिं कोई॥
Maat-pita bhrata sab koi | Sankat mein poochhat nahin koi ||
Parents, brothers, and all relatives—none can truly help when one is in deep crisis.
Chaupai 28
स्वामी एक है आस तुम्हारी। आय हरहु मम संकट भारी॥
Swami ek hai aas tumhari | Ay harahu mam sankat bhari ||
O Lord, You are my only hope; please come and take away my heavy burdens.
Chaupai 29
धन निर्धन को देत सदा हीं। जो कोई जांचे सो फल पाहीं॥
Dhan nirdhan ko det sada heen | Jo koi janche so phal paheen ||
You always grant wealth to the poor, and whoever asks of You with sincerity receives the fruit of their desire.
Chaupai 30
अस्तुति केहि विधि करैं तुम्हारी। क्षमहु नाथ अब चूक हमारी॥
Astuti kehi vidhi karain tumhari | Kshamahu nath ab chook hamari ||
In what way shall I praise You? O Lord, please forgive all my mistakes and shortcomings.
Chaupai 31
शंकर हो संकट के नाशन। मंगल कारण विघ्न विनाशन॥
Shankar ho sankat ke naashan | Mangal kaaran vighna vinaashan ||
O Shankar, You are the destroyer of troubles, the cause of auspiciousness, and the remover of obstacles.
Chaupai 32
योगी यति मुनि ध्यान लगावैं। नारद शारद शीश नवावैं॥
Yogi yati muni dhyaan lagavain | Narad sharad sheesh navavain ||
Yogis, ascetics, and sages meditate upon You, and even Narada and Saraswati bow their heads to You.
Chaupai 33
नमो नमो जय नमः शिवाय। सुर ब्रह्मादिक पार न पाय॥
Namo namo jai namah shivaye | Sur brahmadik paar na paaye ||
Salutations again and again, victory to Lord Shiva! Even the gods like Brahma cannot find the end of Your greatness.
Chaupai 34
जो यह पाठ करे मन लाई। ता पर होत है शम्भु सहाई॥
Jo yeh paath kare man laayi | Ta par hot hai shambhu sahaai ||
Whoever recites this prayer with full concentration, Lord Shambhu becomes their protector and helper.
Chaupai 35
ॠनिया जो कोई हो अधिकारी। पाठ करे सो पावन हारी॥
Riniya jo koi ho adhikari | Paath kare so paavan haari ||
Even one who is burdened by debts can become pure and liberated by reciting this sacred text.
Chaupai 36
पुत्र हीन की इच्छा कोई। निश्चय शिव प्रसाद तेहि होई॥
Putra heen ki ichchha koi | Nishchay shiv prasad tehi hoyi ||
Whoever desires a child shall surely be blessed through the grace of Lord Shiva.
Chaupai 37
पण्डित त्रयोदशी को लावै। ध्यान पूर्वक होम करावै॥
Pandit trayodashi ko laavai | Dhyaan poorvak hom karavai ||
One should invite a priest on the thirteenth day of the lunar month (Trayodashi) to perform a fire ritual (Homa) with devotion.
Chaupai 38
त्रयोदशी व्रत करै हमेशा। तन नहीं ताके रहै कलेशा॥
Trayodashi vrat karai hamesha | Tan nahin take rahai kalesha ||
Those who regularly observe the Trayodashi fast will be free from bodily ailments and mental distress.
Chaupai 39
धूप दीप नैवेद्य चढ़ावै। शंकर सम्मुख पाठ सुनावै॥
Dhoop deep naivedya chadhavai | Shankar sammukh paath sunavai ||
Offer incense, lamps, and food, and recite this prayer in front of Lord Shankar.
Chaupai 40
जन्म जन्म के पाप नसावै। अन्त धाम शिवपुर में पावै॥
Janam janam ke paap naasavai | Ant dhaam shivpur mein paavai ||
This destroys the sins of many lifetimes, and in the end, the devotee attains the abode of Shiva (Shivpur).
Doha
नित्त नेम कर प्रातः ही, पाठ करौं चालीसा। तुम मेरी मनोकामना, पूर्ण करो जगदीश॥
Nitt nem kar praatah hi, paath karaun chalisa | Tum meri manokamana, poorn karo jagadisha ||
I recite this Chalisa every morning as a daily rule. O Lord of the Universe, please fulfill all my heart's desires.

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