Hanuman Chalisa in Malayalam

Victory to you, Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue! Victory to you, lord of the vanaras, whose light shines across all three worlds.

ജയ് Jai

victory, glory

ഹനുമാൻ Hanuman

Hanuman

ജ്ഞാൻ Gyan

wisdom

ഗുൻ Gun

virtues

സാഗർ Sagar

ocean

കപീസ് Kapis

lord of the vanaras

തിഹും Tihun

three

ലോക് Lok

worlds

ഉജാഗർ Ujagar

illuminator, renowned

You are Shri Ram's messenger and the abode of matchless strength, known as Anjani's son and the son of the Wind.

രാമ Ram

Shri Ram's

ദൂത് Doot

messenger

അതുലിത് Atulit

incomparable

ബൽ Bal

strength

ധാമാ Dhama

abode

അഞ്ജനി-പുത്ര Anjani Putra

son of Anjana

പവനസുത് Pavan Sut

son of the Wind

നാമാ Nama

named, known as

Hanuman's mother is Anjana and his father the vanara chief Kesari; Vayu, the Wind god, is honoured as his divine father.

Great hero, mighty in valour, with limbs as strong as the thunderbolt, you drive away evil thinking and keep company with good sense.

മഹാബീർ Mahabir

great hero

ബിക്രം Bikram

valorous

ബജരംഗീ Bajrangi

with limbs strong as the thunderbolt

കുമതി Kumati

evil thinking

നിവാർ Nivar

remover

സുമതി Sumati

good sense

കേ Ke

of

സംഗീ Sangi

companion

'Bajrangi' comes from vajra-anga, 'one whose limbs are like the thunderbolt'. The name Bajrangbali comes from the same word.

Your complexion shines like gold and you are beautifully adorned; earrings sparkle in your ears and your hair falls in curls.

കഞ്ചൻ Kanchan

gold

ബരൻ Baran

complexion

ബിരാജ് Biraj

shining in splendour

സുബേസാ Subesa

beautifully dressed

കാനൻ Kanan

in the ears

കുണ്ഡൽ Kundal

earrings

കുഞ്ചിത് Kunchit

curly

കേസാ Kesa

hair

In your hands shine the thunderbolt and the banner; across your shoulder rests the sacred thread of munja grass.

ഹാഥ് Hath

in the hands

ബജ്ര Bajra

thunderbolt (often read as his mace)

ഔ Au

and

ധ്വജാ Dhvaja

banner

ബിരാജൈ Birajai

shine

കാന്ധേ Kandhe

on the shoulder

മൂഞ്ജ് Moonj

munja grass

ജനേഊ Janeu

sacred thread

സാജൈ Sajai

adorns

Many traditional commentators read 'bajra' here as Hanuman's mace (gada), which strikes like a thunderbolt.

Born of Shiva and the beloved son of Kesari, your radiance and glory are immense, and the whole world bows to you.

സങ്കർ Sankar

Lord Shiva

സുവൻ Suvan

son, born of

കേസരീനന്ദൻ Kesari Nandan

joy (son) of Kesari

തേജ് Tej

radiance

പ്രതാപ് Pratap

might, glory

മഹാ Maha

great

ജഗ് Jag

the world

ബന്ദൻ Bandan

revered

Hanuman is traditionally revered as an incarnation (amsha) of Shiva. Some editions read 'Shankar swayam Kesari Nandan' ('Shiva himself, as Kesari's son'). We follow the Gita Press reading 'Sankar suvan'.

You are learned, virtuous and supremely wise, ever eager to do Shri Ram's work.

വിദ്യാവാൻ Vidyavan

learned

ഗുനീ Guni

virtuous

അതി Ati

very

ചാതുർ Chatur

wise, skilful

രാമ Ram

Shri Ram's

കാജ് Kaj

work, mission

കരിബേ Karibe

to do

കോ Ko

for

ആതുർ Atur

eager

You delight in hearing the Lord's story, and Ram, Lakshman and Sita dwell in your heart.

പ്രഭു Prabhu

the Lord's

ചരിത്ര Charitra

story, deeds

സുനിബേ Sunibe

hearing

കോ Ko

in

രസിയാ Rasiya

one who delights

രാമ Ram

Ram

ലഖൻ Lakhan

Lakshman

സീതാ Sita

Sita

മൻ Man

in the heart

ബസിയാ Basiya

dwell

Tradition holds that wherever the Ramayana is recited, Hanuman is present, listening with folded hands.

Taking a tiny form you appeared before Sita; taking a fearsome form you set Lanka ablaze.

സൂക്ഷ്മ Sukshma

tiny, subtle

രൂപ് Roop

form

ധരി Dhari

taking on

സിയഹിം Siyahi

to Sita

ദിഖാവാ Dikhava

showed (yourself)

ബികട് Bikat

fearsome, immense

ലങ്ക് Lank

Lanka

ജരാവാ Jarava

burned

Sundar Kand: Hanuman meets Sita in the Ashok grove, and later burns Lanka with his tail after Ravan's men set it on fire.

Assuming a mighty, terrifying form, you destroyed the demons and brought Shri Ramchandra's mission to success.

ഭീം Bhim

terrifying, mighty

രൂപ് Roop

form

ധരി Dhari

taking on

അസുർ Asur

demons

സംഹാരേ Sanhare

destroyed

രാമചന്ദ്ര Ramchandra

Shri Ramchandra

കേ Ke

of

കാജ് Kaj

tasks

സംവാരേ Sanvare

accomplished

Bringing the Sanjivani herb, you revived Lakshman, and Shri Ram, overjoyed, held you to his heart.

ലായ് Laye

bringing

സജീവൻ Sajivan

the Sanjivani herb

ലഖൻ Lakhan

Lakshman

ജിയായേ Jiyaye

revived

ശ്രീരഘുബീർ Shri Raghubir

Shri Ram, hero of the Raghus

ഹരഷി Harashi

rejoicing

ഉർ Ur

to the heart

ലായേ Laye

held, embraced

Lanka Kand: when Lakshman fell to Meghnad's weapon, Hanuman flew to the Himalayas and, unable to pick out the herb, carried back the whole mountain.

Shri Ram, lord of the Raghus, praised you greatly: 'You are as dear to me as my brother Bharat.'

രഘുപതി Raghupati

lord of the Raghus (Shri Ram)

കീന്ഹീ Kinhi

did, gave

ബഹുത് Bahut

much

ബഡാഈ Badai

praise

തും Tum

you

മം Mam

my

പ്രിയ് Priya

dear

ഭരതഹി Bharatahi

Bharat

സം Sam

like, equal to

ഭാഈ Bhai

brother

'Even the thousand-mouthed Shesha sings your glory,' said Shri Ram, lord of Lakshmi, and embraced you.

സഹസ് Sahas

thousand

ബദൻ Badan

mouths (Shesha, the thousand-headed serpent)

തുമ്ഹരോ Tumharo

your

ജസ് Jas

glory

ഗാവൈം Gavain

sing

അസ് As

thus

കഹി Kahi

saying

ശ്രീപതി Shripati

lord of Lakshmi (Shri Ram)

കണ്ഠ് Kanth

to the neck

ലഗാവൈം Lagavain

embraced

Sanaka and the sages, Brahma and the gods, the great munis, Narad and Saraswati, together with Shesha, king of serpents…

സനകാദിക് Sanakadik

Sanaka and his sage-brothers

ബ്രഹ്മാദി Brahmadi

Brahma and the other gods

മുനീസാ Munisa

great sages

നാരദ് Narad

sage Narad

സാരദ് Sarad

Saraswati

സഹിത് Sahit

together with

അഹീസാ Ahisa

lord of serpents (Shesha)

Chaupais 14 and 15 form a single sentence: even all these great beings cannot fully describe Hanuman's glory.

Yama, Kubera and the guardians of the directions: if even they cannot fully tell your glory, how could any poet or scholar?

ജം Jam

Yama, lord of death

കുബേർ Kuber

Kubera, lord of wealth

ദിഗപാൽ Digpal

guardians of the directions

ജഹാം തേ Jahan Te

even they (cannot)

കബി Kabi

poets

കോബിദ് Kobid

scholars

കഹി സകേ Kahi Sake

could describe

കഹാം തേ Kahan Te

how then

You did Sugriva a great kindness: you brought him to Shri Ram and so restored him to the throne.

തും Tum

you

ഉപകാർ Upkar

favour, kindness

സുഗ്രീവഹിം Sugrivahi

to Sugriva

കീന്ഹാ Kinha

did

രാമ Ram

Shri Ram

മിലായ് Milaye

uniting with

രാജ് പദ് Raj Pad

the throne

ദീന്ഹാ Dinha

gave

Kishkindha Kand: Hanuman first met Ram and Lakshman disguised as a brahmin and brought them to Sugriva, sealing their friendship.

Vibhishan heeded your counsel and became king of Lanka, as the whole world knows.

തുമ്ഹരോ Tumharo

your

മന്ത്ര Mantra

counsel

ബിഭീഷൻ Bibhishan

Vibhishan

മാനാ Mana

accepted

ലങ്കേസ്വർ Lankeshwar

lord of Lanka

ഭഏ Bhaye

became

സബ് Sab

all

ജഗ് Jag

world

ജാനാ Jana

knows

The sun, thousands of yojanas away, you swallowed, thinking it a sweet fruit.

ജുഗ് Jug

an age (here, a great multiple)

സഹസ്ര Sahasra

thousand

ജോജൻ Jojan

yojanas (ancient measure of distance)

പർ Par

away, at a distance of

ഭാനൂ Bhanu

the sun

ലീല്യോ Leelyo

swallowed

താഹി Tahi

it

മധുർ Madhur

sweet

ഫൽ Phal

fruit

ജാനൂ Janu

thinking it

A childhood episode: the infant Hanuman leapt at the rising sun, taking it for a ripe fruit. Some readers see in 'jug sahasra jojan' a traditional reckoning of the sun's distance; the plain sense is 'thousands upon thousands of yojanas away'.

Holding the Lord's ring in your mouth, you leapt across the ocean, and for you that is no wonder at all.

പ്രഭു Prabhu

the Lord's

മുദ്രികാ Mudrika

ring

മേലി Meli

placing

മുഖ് Mukh

mouth

മാഹീം Mahi

in

ജലധി Jaladhi

ocean

ലാംഘി ഗയേ Langhi Gaye

leapt across

അചരജ് Acharaj

wonder

നാഹീം Nahi

no

Ram gave Hanuman his signet ring as a token for Sita. Tradition adds that one who carries Ram's name can cross any ocean.

However hard the tasks of this world may be, every one of them becomes easy by your grace.

ദുർഗം Durgam

difficult

കാജ് Kaj

tasks

ജഗത് Jagat

world

കേ Ke

of

ജേതേ Jete

as many as

സുഗം Sugam

easy

അനുഗ്രഹ് Anugrah

grace

തുമ്ഹരേ Tumhare

your

തേതേ Tete

that many, all of them

You are the guardian at Shri Ram's door; no one may enter without your leave.

രാമ Ram

Shri Ram's

ദുആരേ Duare

at the door

തും Tum

you

രഖവാരേ Rakhvare

guardian

ഹോത് ന Hot Na

there is no

ആജ്ഞാ Agya

permission

ബിനു Binu

without

പൈസാരേ Paisare

entry

Traditionally understood to mean that devotion to Hanuman opens the way to Ram's grace.

Whoever takes refuge in you finds every happiness; with you as protector, there is nothing to fear.

സബ് Sab

all

സുഖ് Sukh

happiness

ലഹൈ Lahai

obtains

തുമ്ഹാരീ Tumhari

your

സരനാ Sarna

refuge

തും Tum

you (being)

രച്ഛക് Rakshak

protector

കാഹൂ Kahu

anyone

കോ Ko

of

ഡർ നാ Dar Na

no fear

Only you can contain your own blazing power; at your roar all three worlds tremble.

ആപൻ Aapan

your own

തേജ് Tej

power, radiance

സമ്ഹാരോ Samharo

contain, hold in check

ആപൈ Aapai

yourself alone

തീനോം Teenon

all three

ലോക് Lok

worlds

ഹാങ്ക് Hank

roar

തേം Te

at, by

കാമ്പൈ Kanpai

tremble

Some editions read 'sanharo' (संहारो); we follow the Gita Press reading 'samharo' (सम्हारो, 'to hold in check').

Ghosts and evil spirits do not come near when the name of Mahavir, the great hero, is spoken.

ഭൂത് Bhoot

ghosts

പിസാച് Pisach

evil spirits

നികട് Nikat

near

നഹിം Nahi

not

ആവൈ Aavai

come

മഹാബീർ Mahabir

the great hero (Hanuman)

ജബ് Jab

when

നാം Naam

name

സുനാവൈ Sunavai

is spoken, recited

Traditionally read both literally and inwardly: Hanuman's name drives away fear, dread and the 'ghosts' of the mind.

Disease is destroyed and all pain taken away when one chants the name of brave Hanuman without ceasing.

നാസൈ Nasai

destroys

രോഗ് Rog

disease

ഹരൈ Harai

removes

സബ് Sab

all

പീരാ Peera

pain

ജപത് Japat

chanting

നിരന്തർ Nirantar

constantly

ഹനുമത് Hanumat

Hanuman

ബീരാ Beera

the brave

A statement of devotional faith that brings comfort to many; it is not a substitute for medical care.

Hanuman frees from every trouble the one who fixes on him in thought, deed and word.

സങ്കട് Sankat

trouble, crisis

തേം Ten

from

ഹനുമാൻ Hanuman

Hanuman

ഛുഡാവൈ Chhudavai

frees

മൻ Man

mind

ക്രം Kram

action

ബചൻ Bachan

word

ധ്യാൻ Dhyan

meditation, focus

ജോ Jo

whoever

ലാവൈ Lavai

fixes, brings

Many popular editions read 'Sankat se' (संकट से); Gita Press has 'Sankat ten' (संकट तें), the Awadhi form. The meaning is the same.

Shri Ram, the ascetic king, reigns above all, and it was you who accomplished all his tasks.

സബ് Sab

all

പർ Par

above

രാമ Ram

Shri Ram

തപസ്വീ Tapasvi

ascetic

രാജാ Raja

king

തിൻ കേ Tin Ke

his

കാജ് Kaj

tasks

സകൽ Sakal

all

തും Tum

you

സാജാ Saja

accomplished

Whoever comes to you with any heartfelt wish receives the boundless fruit of life.

ഔർ Aur

any other

മനോരഥ് Manorath

wish, desire

ജോ Jo

whoever

കോഇ Koi

anyone

ലാവൈ Lavai

brings

സോഇ Soi

that person

അമിത് Amit

boundless

ജീവൻ Jivan

life

ഫൽ Phal

fruit

പാവൈ Pavai

obtains

Gita Press reads 'koi … soi' (कोइ … सोइ); many popular editions print 'कोई … सोई', and some have 'tasu' (तासु). The meaning is unchanged.

Your glory endures through all four ages, and its fame lights up the whole world.

ചാരോം Charon

all four

ജുഗ് Jug

ages (yugas)

പരതാപ് Partap

glory, might

തുമ്ഹാരാ Tumhara

your

ഹൈ Hai

is

പരസിദ്ധ Parsiddh

renowned

ജഗത് Jagat

world

ഉജിയാരാ Ujiyara

light, illuminating

The four yugas are Satya, Treta, Dvapara and Kali. Hanuman is counted among the chiranjivis, the immortals said to live through the ages.

You are the protector of saints and good people, the destroyer of demons, and Shri Ram's beloved.

സാധു Sadhu

the virtuous

സന്ത് Sant

saints

കേ Ke

of

തും Tum

you

രഖവാരേ Rakhvare

protector

അസുർ Asur

demons

നികന്ദൻ Nikandan

destroyer

രാമ Ram

Shri Ram's

ദുലാരേ Dulare

beloved

Mother Janaki (Sita) blessed you with the boon of granting the eight siddhis and the nine nidhis.

അഷ്ട Ashta

eight

സിദ്ധി Siddhi

spiritual powers

നൌ Nau

nine

നിധി Nidhi

treasures

കേ Ke

of

ദാതാ Data

giver

അസ് As

such

ബർ Bar

boon

ദീൻ Din

gave

ജാനകീ Janaki

Janaki (Sita)

മാതാ Mata

mother

The eight siddhis are traditionally anima, mahima, garima, laghima, prapti, prakamya, ishitva and vashitva; the nine nidhis are the nine treasures of Kubera.

You hold the elixir of devotion to Ram, and you remain for ever the servant of the lord of the Raghus.

രാമ Ram

Ram's

രസായൻ Rasayan

elixir

തുമ്ഹരേ Tumhare

your

പാസാ Pasa

with

സദാ Sada

always

രഹോ Raho

remain

രഘുപതി Raghupati

lord of the Raghus

കേ Ke

of

ദാസാ Dasa

servant

Through devotion to you one reaches Shri Ram and forgets the sorrows of lifetime after lifetime.

തുമ്ഹരേ Tumhare

your

ഭജൻ Bhajan

worship, devotion

രാമ Ram

Shri Ram

കോ Ko

(object marker)

പാവൈ Pavai

attains

ജനം ജനം Janam Janam

birth after birth

കേ Ke

of

ദുഖ് Dukh

sorrows

ബിസരാവൈ Bisravai

forgets

At life's end such a devotee goes to Shri Ram's abode, and wherever born again is known as a devotee of Hari.

അന്ത് Ant

end

കാൽ Kal

time

രഘുബർ Raghubar

Shri Ram's

പുർ Pur

abode

ജാഈ Jai

goes

ജഹാം Jahan

wherever

ജന്മ Janma

birth

ഹരിഭക്ത Haribhakt

devotee of Hari

കഹാഈ Kahai

is called

Even without holding any other deity in mind, one who serves Hanuman gains every happiness.

ഔർ Aur

other

ദേവതാ Devta

deity

ചിത്ത Chitt

in the mind

ന Na

not

ധരഈ Dharai

holds

ഹനുമത് Hanumat

Hanuman

സേഇ Sei

serving

സർബ Sarb

all

സുഖ് Sukh

happiness

കരഈ Karai

gains

Traditionally read as praise of Hanuman's sufficiency for his devotees, not as disregard for other deities. Hanuman himself leads the devotee to Ram.

Troubles are cut away and all pain vanishes for whoever remembers the mighty hero Hanuman.

സങ്കട് Sankat

troubles

കടൈ Katai

are cut away

മിടൈ Mitai

vanishes

സബ് Sab

all

പീരാ Peera

pain

ജോ Jo

whoever

സുമിരൈ Sumirai

remembers

ഹനുമത് Hanumat

Hanuman

ബലബീരാ Balbeera

the mighty hero

Victory, victory, victory to you, Lord Hanuman! Bless me with your grace, as a Guru blesses his disciple.

ജൈ Jai

victory

ഹനുമാൻ Hanuman

Hanuman

ഗോസാഈം Gosain

lord, master

കൃപാ Kripa

grace

കരഹു Karahu

please bestow

ഗുരു ദേവ് Guru Dev

a revered Guru

കീ Ki

of

നാഈം Nain

like

Whoever recites this a hundred times is freed from bondage and knows great joy.

ജോ Jo

whoever

സത് Sat

a hundred

ബാർ Bar

times

പാഠ് Path

recitation

കർ Kar

does

കോഈ Koi

anyone

ഛൂടഹി Chhutahi

is released

ബന്ദി Bandi

bondage

മഹാ Maha

great

സുഖ് Sukh

joy

ഹോഈ Hoi

comes

'Sat bar' literally means 'a hundred times'; some also read 'sat' as 'truly, sincerely'. 'Bandi' is understood both as worldly bondage and as captivity.

Whoever reads this Hanuman Chalisa attains fulfilment. Lord Shiva, husband of Gauri, is witness to this.

ജോ Jo

whoever

യഹ് Yah

this

പഢൈ Padhai

reads

ഹനുമാൻ ചലീസാ Hanuman Chalisa

the Hanuman Chalisa

ഹോയ് Hoy

there comes

സിദ്ധി Siddhi

fulfilment, success

സാഖീ Sakhi

witness

ഗൌരീസാ Gaurisa

lord of Gauri (Shiva)

Gita Press prints the metrical form 'चलीसा' here to fit the 16-beat chaupai line; most singers pronounce it 'Chalisa'.

Tulsidas is for ever the servant of Hari. O Lord, make your home in my heart.

തുലസീദാസ് Tulsidas

Tulsidas

സദാ Sada

always

ഹരി Hari

Hari (Shri Ram)

ചേരാ Chera

servant

കീജൈ Kijai

please make

നാഥ് Nath

O Lord

ഹൃദയ് Hriday

heart

മഹം Mah

in

ഡേരാ Dera

dwelling

Here Tulsidas places his own name, as poets of his time did in a closing verse (the 'chhap').