Shiv Chalisa
श्री शिव चालीसा
The Shiv Chalisa is a traditional Hindi hymn to Lord Shiva by a poet who names himself Ayodhyadas. Its 44 verses (an opening doha to Ganesh, 41 chaupais and two closing dohas) describe Shiva with Parvati, Ganesh and Kartikeya, recall how he drank the poison of the ocean and blessed Ram and Vishnu, and ask for his protection. It is recited on Mondays, on Pradosh, through Shravan and on Maha Shivratri.
- 44 verses
- 8 min
- Ayodhyadas (named in the text)
- Best on Monday
Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan, Mangal Mool Sujanजय गणेश गिरिजा सुवन, मंगल मूल सुजान।
Kahat Ayodhyadas Tum, Dehu Abhay Vardanकहत अयोध्यादास तुम, देहु अभय वरदान॥
Glory to Ganesh, son of Girija, the wise one, root of all that is good. Ayodhyadas says: grant me the boon of fearlessness.
The poet names himself Ayodhyadas here and again in chaupai 41. sanskritdocuments.org and Bharat Discovery read "देउ" for "देहु".
Jai Girija Pati Deen Dayalaजय गिरिजा पति दीन दयाला।
Sada Karat Santan Pratipalaसदा करत सन्तन प्रतिपाला॥
Glory to the husband of Girija, kind to the humble, who always protects the good.
Bhal Chandrama Sohat Neekeभाल चन्द्रमा सोहत नीके।
Kanan Kundal Nagphani Keकानन कुण्डल नागफनी के॥
The moon shines beautifully on your forehead, and your earrings are the hoods of serpents.
Ang Gaur Shir Gang Bahayeअंग गौर शिर गंग बहाये।
Mundmal Tan Kshar Lagayeमुण्डमाल तन क्षार लगाए॥
Your body is fair and the Ganga flows from your head. You wear a garland of skulls, and your body is smeared with ash.
Vastra Khal Baghambar Soheवस्त्र खाल बाघम्बर सोहे।
Chhavi Ko Dekhi Nag Man Moheछवि को देखि नाग मन मोहे॥
A tiger skin is your garment, and your beauty charms even the serpents.
Maina Matu Ki Have Dulariमैना मातु की हवे दुलारी।
Bam Ang Sohat Chhavi Nyariबाम अंग सोहत छवि न्यारी॥
Mother Maina's beloved daughter, Parvati, sits at your left side, a sight beyond compare.
sanskritdocuments.org and Bharat Discovery print "कि हवे" and "वाम"; the meaning is the same.
Kar Trishul Sohat Chhavi Bhariकर त्रिशूल सोहत छवि भारी।
Karat Sada Shatrun Kshaykariकरत सदा शत्रुन क्षयकारी॥
The trident in your hand looks magnificent, and it always destroys the enemy.
Nandi Ganesh Sohai Tahan Kaiseनन्दि गणेश सोहै तहँ कैसे।
Sagar Madhya Kamal Hain Jaiseसागर मध्य कमल हैं जैसे॥
Nandi and Ganesh look there like lotuses in the middle of a lake.
Kartik Shyam Aur Ganrauकार्तिक श्याम और गणराऊ।
Ya Chhavi Ko Kahi Jat Na Kauया छवि को कहि जात न काऊ॥
Kartikeya, Shyama and the lord of the ganas: no one can put this sight into words.
"Shyam" is read by some as Shyama, a name of Parvati, and by others as describing Kartikeya's dark complexion.
Devan Jabahin Jay Pukaraदेवन जबहीं जाय पुकारा।
Tab Hi Dukh Prabhu Aap Nivaraतब ही दुख प्रभु आप निवारा॥
Whenever the gods came and called out to you, Lord, you yourself took away their trouble.
Kiya Upadrav Tarak Bhariकिया उपद्रव तारक भारी।
Devan Sab Mili Tumahin Juhariदेवन सब मिलि तुमहिं जुहारी॥
When the demon Taraka caused great havoc, the gods came together and bowed to you for help.
Turat Shadanan Aap Pathayauतुरत षडानन आप पठायउ।
Lavnimesh Mahan Mari Girayauलवनिमेष महँ मारि गिरायउ॥
At once you sent six-faced Kartikeya, and he struck the demon down in the blink of an eye.
Aap Jalandhar Asur Samharaआप जलंधर असुर संहारा।
Suyash Tumhar Vidit Sansaraसुयश तुम्हार विदित संसारा॥
You yourself destroyed the demon Jalandhara, and your fame is known to the whole world.
Tripurasur San Yuddh Machaiत्रिपुरासुर सन युद्ध मचाई।
Sabahin Kripa Kar Leen Bachaiसबहिं कृपा कर लीन बचाई॥
You waged war on the Tripura demons and, in your kindness, saved everyone.
sanskritdocuments.org and Bharat Discovery read "तबहिं" (then) for "सबहिं".
Kiya Tapahin Bhagirath Bhariकिया तपहिं भागीरथ भारी।
Purab Pratigya Tasu Purariपुरब प्रतिज्ञा तासु पुरारी॥
When Bhagiratha did great penance, you, O Purari, fulfilled his vow.
Shiva received the Ganga in his matted hair when she came down from heaven at Bhagiratha's prayer. Purari, "enemy of the cities", is the name he earned by destroying Tripura.
Danin Mahan Tum Sam Kou Nahinदानिन महँ तुम सम कोउ नाहीं।
Sevak Stuti Karat Sadahinसेवक स्तुति करत सदाहीं॥
Among givers there is no one like you, and your servants praise you always.
Ved Mahi Mahima Tum Gaiवेद माहि महिमा तुम गाई।
Akath Anadi Bhed Nahin Paiअकथ अनादि भेद नहिं पाई॥
The Vedas sing your glory, yet they could not find the secret of you, who are beyond words and without beginning.
BhaktiBharat reads "वेद नाम महिमा तव गाई"; the other three sources have "वेद माहि महिमा तुम गाई".
Prakati Udadhi Manthan Mein Jwalaप्रकटी उदधि मंथन में ज्वाला।
Jarat Surasur Bhaye Vihalaजरत सुरासुर भए विहाला॥
When the ocean was churned, a blaze of poison rose from it, and the gods and demons, burning, were in agony.
Keenhi Daya Tahan Kari Sahaiकीन्ही दया तहं करी सहाई।
Neelkanth Tab Naam Kahaiनीलकण्ठ तब नाम कहाई॥
You took pity on them and came to their help by drinking the poison, and from then on you were called Neelkanth, the blue-throated.
Poojan Ramchandra Jab Keenhaपूजन रामचन्द्र जब कीन्हा।
Jeet Ke Lank Vibhishan Deenhaजीत के लंक विभीषण दीन्हा॥
When Shri Ramchandra worshipped you, he won Lanka and gave it to Vibhishana.
This recalls Ram's worship of Shiva at Rameswaram before crossing to Lanka.
Sahas Kamal Mein Ho Rahe Dhariसहस कमल में हो रहे धारी।
Keenh Pariksha Tabahin Purariकीन्ह परीक्षा तबहिं पुरारी॥
When Vishnu was offering you a thousand lotuses, Purari put him to the test.
Chaupais 20 to 22 tell the Shiva Purana story in which Vishnu worshipped Shiva with a thousand lotuses. Shiva hid one, and Vishnu, called lotus-eyed, offered one of his own eyes in its place; pleased, Shiva gave him the Sudarshana chakra. sanskritdocuments.org and Bharat Discovery read "त्रिपुरारी".
Ek Kamal Prabhu Rakheu Joiएक कमल प्रभु राखेउ जोई।
Kamal Nayan Poojan Chahan Soiकमल नयन पूजन चहं सोई॥
The Lord hid one lotus, and the lotus-eyed Vishnu wished to offer his own eye in its place.
Kathin Bhakti Dekhi Prabhu Shankarकठिन भक्ति देखी प्रभु शंकर।
Bhaye Prasanna Diye Ichchhit Varभए प्रसन्न दिए इच्छित वर॥
Seeing such steadfast devotion, Lord Shankar was pleased and granted the boon he wished for.
Jai Jai Jai Anant Avinashiजय जय जय अनन्त अविनाशी।
Karat Kripa Sab Ke Ghatvasiकरत कृपा सब के घटवासी॥
Glory, glory, glory to the endless, undying Lord, who lives in every heart and is kind to all.
Dusht Sakal Nit Mohi Satavaiदुष्ट सकल नित मोहि सतावै।
Bhramat Rahaun Mohi Chain Na Avaiभ्रमत रहौं मोहि चैन न आवै॥
All the wicked torment me every day. I keep wandering, and I find no peace.
Many read "the wicked" here as the enemies within, such as anger, greed and desire.
Trahi Trahi Main Nath Pukaroत्राहि त्राहि मैं नाथ पुकारो।
Yehi Avasar Mohi Aan Ubaroयेहि अवसर मोहि आन उबारो॥
Save me, save me, Lord, I cry out to you. Come now, at this very moment, and rescue me.
Lai Trishul Shatrun Ko Maroलै त्रिशूल शत्रुन को मारो।
Sankat Se Mohi Aan Ubaroसंकट से मोहि आन उबारो॥
Take up your trident and strike down my enemies. Come and rescue me from this trouble.
Mat Pita Bhrata Sab Hoiमात-पिता भ्राता सब होई।
Sankat Mein Poochhat Nahin Koiसंकट में पूछत नहिं कोई॥
Mother, father, brothers, everyone is there, yet in times of trouble no one asks after me.
sanskritdocuments.org and Bharat Discovery read "सब कोई".
Swami Ek Hai Aas Tumhariस्वामी एक है आस तुम्हारी।
Aay Harahu Mam Sankat Bhariआय हरहु मम संकट भारी॥
Lord, you are my only hope. Come and take away my heavy trouble.
Dhan Nirdhan Ko Det Sada Hinधन निर्धन को देत सदा हीं।
Jo Koi Janche So Phal Pahinजो कोई जांचे सो फल पाहीं॥
You always give wealth to the poor, and whoever asks of you receives the fruit.
Astuti Kehi Vidhi Karain Tumhariअस्तुति केहि विधि करैं तुम्हारी।
Kshamahu Nath Ab Chook Hamariक्षमहु नाथ अब चूक हमारी॥
How can we praise you as you deserve? Lord, forgive our mistakes now.
Shankar Ho Sankat Ke Nashanशंकर हो संकट के नाशन।
Mangal Karan Vighna Vinashanमंगल कारण विघ्न विनाशन॥
Shankar, you are the destroyer of trouble, the source of all good and the remover of obstacles.
Yogi Yati Muni Dhyan Lagavainयोगी यति मुनि ध्यान लगावैं।
Sharad Narad Sheesh Navavainशारद नारद शीश नवावैं॥
Yogis, ascetics and sages meditate on you, and Sharada and Narada bow their heads to you.
Namo Namo Jai Namah Shivayaनमो नमो जय नमः शिवाय।
Sur Brahmadik Par Na Paayसुर ब्रह्मादिक पार न पाय॥
I bow, I bow; glory to you, salutations to Shiva. Even Brahma and the gods cannot reach your end.
Jo Yah Path Kare Man Laiजो यह पाठ करे मन लाई।
Ta Par Hot Hai Shambhu Sahaiता पर होत है शम्भु सहाई॥
Whoever recites this with a full heart, Shambhu becomes their helper.
Riniyan Jo Koi Ho Adhikariऋनियां जो कोई हो अधिकारी।
Path Kare So Pavan Hariपाठ करे सो पावन हारी॥
Anyone weighed down by debt who recites this is freed of it.
The line is read in more than one way; this is the usual reading. sanskritdocuments.org and Bharat Discovery print "रनियां", BhaktiBharat "ॠनियां".
Putra Hon Kar Ichchha Joiपुत्र होन कर इच्छा जोई।
Nishchay Shiv Prasad Tehi Hoiनिश्चय शिव प्रसाद तेहि होई॥
Whoever longs to have a son surely receives Shiva's blessing.
BhaktiBharat reads "पुत्र हीन कर" (one who has no son); sanskritdocuments.org and Bharat Discovery "पुत्र होन की".
Pandit Trayodashi Ko Laveपण्डित त्रयोदशी को लावे।
Dhyan Poorvak Hom Karaveध्यान पूर्वक होम करावे॥
Invite a pandit on Trayodashi and have a homa done with devotion.
Trayodashi, the thirteenth day of each lunar fortnight, is the day of Pradosh, sacred to Shiva.
Trayodashi Vrat Karai Hameshaत्रयोदशी व्रत करै हमेशा।
Take Tan Nahin Rahai Kaleshaताके तन नहीं रहै कलेशा॥
Whoever keeps the Trayodashi fast faithfully is left with no suffering in body.
Dhoop Deep Naivedya Chadhaveधूप दीप नैवेद्य चढ़ावे।
Shankar Sammukh Path Sunaveशंकर सम्मुख पाठ सुनावे॥
Offer incense, a lamp and food, and recite this before Shankar.
Janam Janam Ke Paap Nasaveजन्म जन्म के पाप नसावे।
Ant Dham Shivpur Mein Paveअन्त धाम शिवपुर में पावे॥
The sins of many lifetimes are washed away, and in the end one reaches Shiva's abode.
Kahain Ayodhyadas Aas Tumhariकहैं अयोध्यादास आस तुम्हारी।
Jani Sakal Dukh Harahu Hamariजानि सकल दुःख हरहु हमारी॥
Ayodhyadas says: you are my hope. You know all our sorrows; please take them away.
The poet signs his name here, as poets did in a closing verse. Nothing reliable is known about Ayodhyadas.
Nitt Nem Uthi Pratah Hi, Path Karo Chalisनित्त नेम उठि प्रातः ही, पाठ करो चालीस।
Tum Meri Manokamana, Poorn Karo Jagdishतुम मेरी मनोकामना, पूर्ण करो जगदीश॥
Rising early every morning as a daily rule, I recite these forty verses. Lord of the world, fulfil the wish of my heart.
Printings differ: BhaktiBharat "नित्त नेम कर प्रातः ही, पाठ करौं चालीसा"; AstroVed "नित्त नेम उठि … पाठ करो चालीसा"; sanskritdocuments.org and Bharat Discovery "नित नेम उठि प्रातःही पाठ करो चालीस". We keep "चालीस", which rhymes with "जगदीश".
Magsar Chhathi Hemant Ritu, Samvat Chausath Janमगसर छठि हेमन्त ऋतु, संवत चौसठ जान।
Astuti Chalisa Shivahi, Poorn Keen Kalyanअस्तुति चालीसा शिवहि, पूर्ण कीन कल्याण॥
Know that on the sixth day of Margashirsha, in the season of Hemanta, in the year sixty-four, this chalisa in praise of Shiva was completed, for the good of all.
This doha is in BhaktiBharat and AstroVed ("मगसिर", "स्तुति") but not in sanskritdocuments.org or Bharat Discovery. "Samvat chausath" (year 64) does not say which century, so the date of the chalisa cannot be fixed from it.
Complete
You have reached the end of Shiv Chalisa.
Make it a weekly practice
Adds a weekly event to your phone’s calendar. No sign-up, nothing leaves your device.
Download PDF
Free A4 PDF with the meaning of every verse. Print it, share it, keep it.
Questions
When is the Shiv Chalisa recited?
Monday is Shiva's day, so many people recite it every Monday. It is also read on Pradosh (Trayodashi), through the month of Shravan (Sawan), and on Maha Shivratri, often while offering water or milk to a Shivling.
Who wrote the Shiv Chalisa?
The poet names himself Ayodhyadas, in the opening doha and in the last chaupai. Nothing reliable is known about him. One closing doha gives a date, the sixth of Margashirsha in "samvat chausath" (year 64), but it does not say which century.
Why does the Shiv Chalisa begin with Ganesh?
Ganesh is remembered first before any puja or recitation, and he is Shiva's son. So the first doha greets him as Girija's son and asks for fearlessness before the praise of Shiva begins.
Can I recite it in the evening?
Yes. Morning after bathing is the time the closing doha mentions, but evening, especially at Pradosh time around sunset, is also traditional for Shiva worship.
How long does it take?
About eight minutes at an easy pace.
Source and review
Source: Traditional Hindi text, cross-checked line by line against sanskritdocuments.org (doc_z_otherlang_hindi/siva40), Bharat Discovery / Bharatkosh (शिव चालीसा), BhaktiBharat.com (chalisa/shiv-chalisa) and AstroVed (hindi/blog/shiv-chalisa)
The sources fall into two families: sanskritdocuments.org and Bharat Discovery share one text (one closing doha); BhaktiBharat and AstroVed share the popular sung text with two closing dohas. We follow the BhaktiBharat/AstroVed text, the one most people recite, and take readings from the other family where it is supported by three of the four sources: "वेद माहि महिमा तुम गाई" (ch. 16, BhaktiBharat 'वेद नाम महिमा तव गाई') and "पुत्र होन" (ch. 36, AstroVed and sanskritdocuments; BhaktiBharat 'पुत्र हीन'). Other variants are listed in the verse notes: देउ/देहु (doha 1), कि/की, वाम/बाम (ch. 5), तबहिं/सबहिं (ch. 13), त्रिपुरारी/पुरारी (ch. 20), सब कोई/सब होई (ch. 27), रनियां/ॠनियां (ch. 35; we print ऋनियां), and the closing dohas. Not yet compared with a Gita Press printing.
We checked the text line by line against the sources named here. The meanings are an AI-assisted draft. A scholar has not reviewed them yet.
The meanings are our own first draft. A scholar has not reviewed them yet. If you spot a mistake, please tell us.
Key facts
- Author
- Ayodhyadas (named in the text)
- Verses
- 44
- Original language
- Hindi
- Source edition
- Traditional Hindi text, cross-checked line by line against sanskritdocuments.org (doc_z_otherlang_hindi/siva40), Bharat Discovery / Bharatkosh (शिव चालीसा), BhaktiBharat.com (chalisa/shiv-chalisa) and AstroVed (hindi/blog/shiv-chalisa)
- Last checked
- Review status
- Script verified
Cite this page
“Shiv Chalisa”. Nitya, updated 2026-10-04. https://getnitya.com/en/shiva/shiv-chalisa/