Nityaनित्य
Lakshmi Chalisa
श्री लक्ष्मी चालीसा
Lakshmi Chalisa is a devotional hymn of forty chaupais to Goddess Lakshmi in simple Awadhi Hindi, framed by an opening doha and sortha and two closing dohas. It recalls her rising from the ocean of milk and her birth as Sita, and asks her to live in the devotee's heart and home. Families read it on Fridays, on Sharad Purnima and on Diwali night.
Opening Doha
Matu Lakshmi Kari Kripa, Karo Hriday Mein Vaas
Manokamna Siddh Kari, Puravahu Meri Aas
Mother Lakshmi, be kind and come to live in my heart. Fulfil the wishes of my mind and answer my hopes.
Sortha
Yahi Mor Ardas, Haath Jod Vinti Karun
Sab Vidhi Karau Suvas, Jai Janani Jagdambika
This is my one prayer, which I make with folded hands: come and make your home with me in every way. Glory to you, Mother of the world.
Chaupai 1
Sindhu Suta Main Sumirau Tohi
Gyan Buddhi Vidya Do Mohi
O daughter of the ocean, I remember you. Give me knowledge, understanding and learning.
Chaupai 2
Tum Saman Nahin Koi Upkari
Sab Vidhi Puravahu Aas Hamari
No one does good to others as you do. Fulfil our hopes in every way.
Chaupai 3
Jai Jai Jagat Janani Jagdamba
Sabki Tum Hi Ho Avalamba
Glory, glory to you, Mother of the world, Jagadamba. You alone are the support of all.
Chaupai 4
Tum Hi Ho Sab Ghat Ghat Vasi
Vinti Yahi Hamari Khasi
You live in every heart. This is our special prayer to you.
Chaupai 5
Jag Janani Jai Sindhu Kumari
Deenan Ki Tum Ho Hitkari
Glory to the Mother of the world, daughter of the ocean. You are the well-wisher of the poor and humble.
Chaupai 6
Vinvau Nitya Tumahin Maharani
Kripa Karau Jag Janani Bhavani
Every day I pray to you, great queen. Be kind to me, Mother of the world, Bhavani.
Chaupai 7
Kehi Vidhi Stuti Karau Tihari
Sudhi Lijai Apradh Bisari
How can I praise you as you deserve? Forget my faults and take care of me.
Chaupai 8
Kripa Drishti Chitavo Mam Ori
Jag Janani Vinti Sun Mori
Turn your kind gaze towards me. Mother of the world, hear my prayer.
Chaupai 9
Gyan Buddhi Jai Sukh Ki Data
Sankat Haro Hamari Mata
Glory to you, giver of knowledge, understanding and happiness. Mother, take away our troubles.
Chaupai 10
Ksheer Sindhu Jab Vishnu Mathayo
Chaudah Ratna Sindhu Mein Payo
When Vishnu had the ocean of milk churned, fourteen treasures were found in it.
Chaupai 11
Chaudah Ratna Mein Tum Sukhrasi
Seva Kiyo Prabhu Bani Dasi
Among the fourteen treasures you were the store of all happiness, and you served the Lord with humble devotion.
Chaupai 12
Jab Jab Janam Jahan Prabhu Linha
Roop Badal Tahan Seva Kinha
Whenever and wherever the Lord took birth, you took another form and served him there.
Chaupai 13
Swayam Vishnu Jab Nar Tanu Dhara
Linheu Avadhpuri Avatara
When Vishnu himself took a human body, he was born in Ayodhya.
Chaupai 14
Tab Tum Pragat Janakpur Mahin
Seva Kiyo Hriday Pulkahin
Then you appeared in Janakpur as Sita and served him with a heart full of joy.
Chaupai 15
Apnayo Tohi Antaryami
Vishva Vidit Tribhuvan Ki Swami
The Lord who dwells in every heart took you as his own, you who are known through the world as queen of the three worlds.
Chaupai 16
Tum Sam Prabal Shakti Nahin Aani
Kahan Lau Mahima Kahau Bakhani
There is no other power as strong as you. How far can I go in describing your glory?
Chaupai 17
Man Kram Vachan Karai Sevkai
Man Ichchhit Vanchhit Phal Pai
Whoever serves you in thought, deed and word gains the fruit the heart wishes for.
Chaupai 18
Taji Chhal Kapat Aur Chaturai
Poojahin Vividh Bhanti Man Lai
Setting aside deceit, falseness and cunning, let them worship you in many ways with a whole heart.
Chaupai 19
Aur Haal Main Kahau Bujhai
Jo Yah Path Karai Man Lai
Let me explain one thing more: whoever recites this with a whole heart
Chaupai 20
Tako Koi Kasht Na Hoi
Man Ichchhit Pavai Phal Soi
meets no hardship, and that person gains the fruit the heart wishes for.
Chaupai 21
Trahi Trahi Jai Dukh Nivarini
Trividh Taap Bhav Bandhan Harini
Save me, save me! Glory to you who end sorrow, who take away the three kinds of suffering and the bonds of worldly life.
Chaupai 22
Jo Chalisa Padhai Padhavai
Dhyan Lagakar Sunai Sunavai
Whoever reads this chalisa or has it read, and listens to it or recites it for others with attention,
Chaupai 23
Takau Koi Na Rog Satavai
Putra Aadi Dhan Sampatti Pavai
is troubled by no illness, and receives children, wealth and property.
Chaupai 24
Putraheen Aru Sampati Heena
Andh Badhir Kodhi Ati Deena
Those without children or without wealth, the blind, the deaf, those with grave illness and the very poor
Chaupai 25
Vipra Bolay Kai Path Karavai
Shanka Dil Mein Kabhi Na Lavai
should call a learned brahmin and have it recited, never letting doubt into the heart.
Chaupai 26
Path Karavai Din Chalisa
Ta Par Kripa Karain Gaurisa
Whoever has it recited for forty days receives the grace of Gaurisha.
Chaupai 27
Sukh Sampatti Bahut Si Pavai
Kami Nahin Kahu Ki Aavai
That person gains much happiness and wealth, and lacks nothing.
Chaupai 28
Barah Maas Karai Jo Pooja
Tehi Sam Dhanya Aur Nahin Dooja
No one is as blessed as the one who worships you through all twelve months of the year.
Chaupai 29
Pratidin Path Karai Man Mahin
Un Sam Koi Jag Mein Kahun Nahin
No one anywhere in the world equals the one who recites it in the heart every day.
Chaupai 30
Bahuvidhi Kya Main Karau Badai
Ley Pariksha Dhyan Lagai
Why should I praise it in so many ways? Try it yourself with full attention.
Chaupai 31
Kari Vishvas Karai Vrat Nema
Hoy Siddh Upjai Ur Prema
Whoever keeps the vow and its rules with faith succeeds, and love grows in the heart.
Chaupai 32
Jai Jai Jai Lakshmi Bhavani
Sab Mein Vyapit Ho Gun Khani
Glory, glory, glory to Lakshmi Bhavani! Mine of all virtues, you are present in everything.
Chaupai 33
Tumhro Tej Prabal Jag Mahin
Tum Sam Kou Dayalu Kahun Nahin
Your radiance is mighty in the world. No one anywhere is as kind as you.
Chaupai 34
Mohi Anath Ki Sudhi Ab Lijai
Sankat Kaati Bhakti Mohi Dijai
Now look after me, for I have no one else. Cut away my troubles and give me devotion.
Chaupai 35
Bhool Chook Kari Kshama Hamari
Darshan Dijai Dasha Nihari
Forgive our mistakes and lapses. See our condition and give us your darshan.
Chaupai 36
Bin Darshan Vyakul Adhikari
Tumahi Achhat Dukh Sahte Bhari
Without your darshan your devotee is restless, bearing heavy sorrow even though you are here.
Chaupai 37
Nahin Mohin Gyan Buddhi Hai Tan Mein
Sab Janat Ho Apne Man Mein
I have no knowledge or understanding in me. You know everything in your own heart.
Chaupai 38
Roop Chaturbhuj Karke Dharan
Kasht Mor Ab Karahu Nivaran
Take your four-armed form and now remove my hardship.
Chaupai 39
Kehi Prakar Main Karau Badai
Gyan Buddhi Mohi Nahin Adhikai
How can I praise you? I do not have much knowledge or understanding.
Chaupai 40
Ramdas Ab Kahai Pukari
Karo Door Tum Vipati Hamari
Ramdas now calls out to you: take our misfortune away.
Closing Doha 1
Trahi Trahi Dukh Harini, Haro Begi Sab Traas
Jayati Jayati Jai Lakshmi, Karo Shatru Ko Naash
Save me, save me, you who take away sorrow! Quickly remove all my fears. Glory, glory, glory to Lakshmi! Destroy my enemies.
Closing Doha 2
Ramdas Dhari Dhyan Nit, Vinay Karat Kar Jor
Matu Lakshmi Das Par, Karahu Daya Ki Kor
Meditating on you every day, Ramdas prays with folded hands: Mother Lakshmi, turn the corner of your kind glance on your servant.