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Nityaनित्य
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.
Opening Doha
Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan, Mangal Mool Sujan
Kahat Ayodhyadas Tum, Dehu Abhay Vardan
Glory to Ganesh, son of Girija, the wise one, root of all that is good. Ayodhyadas says: grant me the boon of fearlessness.
Chaupai 1
Jai Girija Pati Deen Dayala
Sada Karat Santan Pratipala
Glory to the husband of Girija, kind to the humble, who always protects the good.
Chaupai 2
Bhal Chandrama Sohat Neeke
Kanan Kundal Nagphani Ke
The moon shines beautifully on your forehead, and your earrings are the hoods of serpents.
Chaupai 3
Ang Gaur Shir Gang Bahaye
Mundmal Tan Kshar Lagaye
Your body is fair and the Ganga flows from your head. You wear a garland of skulls, and your body is smeared with ash.
Chaupai 4
Vastra Khal Baghambar Sohe
Chhavi Ko Dekhi Nag Man Mohe
A tiger skin is your garment, and your beauty charms even the serpents.
Chaupai 5
Maina Matu Ki Have Dulari
Bam Ang Sohat Chhavi Nyari
Mother Maina's beloved daughter, Parvati, sits at your left side, a sight beyond compare.
Chaupai 6
Kar Trishul Sohat Chhavi Bhari
Karat Sada Shatrun Kshaykari
The trident in your hand looks magnificent, and it always destroys the enemy.
Chaupai 7
Nandi Ganesh Sohai Tahan Kaise
Sagar Madhya Kamal Hain Jaise
Nandi and Ganesh look there like lotuses in the middle of a lake.
Chaupai 8
Kartik Shyam Aur Ganrau
Ya Chhavi Ko Kahi Jat Na Kau
Kartikeya, Shyama and the lord of the ganas: no one can put this sight into words.
Chaupai 9
Devan Jabahin Jay Pukara
Tab Hi Dukh Prabhu Aap Nivara
Whenever the gods came and called out to you, Lord, you yourself took away their trouble.
Chaupai 10
Kiya Upadrav Tarak Bhari
Devan Sab Mili Tumahin Juhari
When the demon Taraka caused great havoc, the gods came together and bowed to you for help.
Chaupai 11
Turat Shadanan Aap Pathayau
Lavnimesh Mahan Mari Girayau
At once you sent six-faced Kartikeya, and he struck the demon down in the blink of an eye.
Chaupai 12
Aap Jalandhar Asur Samhara
Suyash Tumhar Vidit Sansara
You yourself destroyed the demon Jalandhara, and your fame is known to the whole world.
Chaupai 13
Tripurasur San Yuddh Machai
Sabahin Kripa Kar Leen Bachai
You waged war on the Tripura demons and, in your kindness, saved everyone.
Chaupai 14
Kiya Tapahin Bhagirath Bhari
Purab Pratigya Tasu Purari
When Bhagiratha did great penance, you, O Purari, fulfilled his vow.
Chaupai 15
Danin Mahan Tum Sam Kou Nahin
Sevak Stuti Karat Sadahin
Among givers there is no one like you, and your servants praise you always.
Chaupai 16
Ved Mahi Mahima Tum Gai
Akath Anadi Bhed Nahin Pai
The Vedas sing your glory, yet they could not find the secret of you, who are beyond words and without beginning.
Chaupai 17
Prakati Udadhi Manthan Mein Jwala
Jarat Surasur Bhaye Vihala
When the ocean was churned, a blaze of poison rose from it, and the gods and demons, burning, were in agony.
Chaupai 18
Keenhi Daya Tahan Kari Sahai
Neelkanth Tab Naam Kahai
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.
Chaupai 19
Poojan Ramchandra Jab Keenha
Jeet Ke Lank Vibhishan Deenha
When Shri Ramchandra worshipped you, he won Lanka and gave it to Vibhishana.
Chaupai 20
Sahas Kamal Mein Ho Rahe Dhari
Keenh Pariksha Tabahin Purari
When Vishnu was offering you a thousand lotuses, Purari put him to the test.
Chaupai 21
Ek Kamal Prabhu Rakheu Joi
Kamal Nayan Poojan Chahan Soi
The Lord hid one lotus, and the lotus-eyed Vishnu wished to offer his own eye in its place.
Chaupai 22
Kathin Bhakti Dekhi Prabhu Shankar
Bhaye Prasanna Diye Ichchhit Var
Seeing such steadfast devotion, Lord Shankar was pleased and granted the boon he wished for.
Chaupai 23
Jai Jai Jai Anant Avinashi
Karat Kripa Sab Ke Ghatvasi
Glory, glory, glory to the endless, undying Lord, who lives in every heart and is kind to all.
Chaupai 24
Dusht Sakal Nit Mohi Satavai
Bhramat Rahaun Mohi Chain Na Avai
All the wicked torment me every day. I keep wandering, and I find no peace.
Chaupai 25
Trahi Trahi Main Nath Pukaro
Yehi Avasar Mohi Aan Ubaro
Save me, save me, Lord, I cry out to you. Come now, at this very moment, and rescue me.
Chaupai 26
Lai Trishul Shatrun Ko Maro
Sankat Se Mohi Aan Ubaro
Take up your trident and strike down my enemies. Come and rescue me from this trouble.
Chaupai 27
Mat Pita Bhrata Sab Hoi
Sankat Mein Poochhat Nahin Koi
Mother, father, brothers, everyone is there, yet in times of trouble no one asks after me.
Chaupai 28
Swami Ek Hai Aas Tumhari
Aay Harahu Mam Sankat Bhari
Lord, you are my only hope. Come and take away my heavy trouble.
Chaupai 29
Dhan Nirdhan Ko Det Sada Hin
Jo Koi Janche So Phal Pahin
You always give wealth to the poor, and whoever asks of you receives the fruit.
Chaupai 30
Astuti Kehi Vidhi Karain Tumhari
Kshamahu Nath Ab Chook Hamari
How can we praise you as you deserve? Lord, forgive our mistakes now.
Chaupai 31
Shankar Ho Sankat Ke Nashan
Mangal Karan Vighna Vinashan
Shankar, you are the destroyer of trouble, the source of all good and the remover of obstacles.
Chaupai 32
Yogi Yati Muni Dhyan Lagavain
Sharad Narad Sheesh Navavain
Yogis, ascetics and sages meditate on you, and Sharada and Narada bow their heads to you.
Chaupai 33
Namo Namo Jai Namah Shivaya
Sur Brahmadik Par Na Paay
I bow, I bow; glory to you, salutations to Shiva. Even Brahma and the gods cannot reach your end.
Chaupai 34
Jo Yah Path Kare Man Lai
Ta Par Hot Hai Shambhu Sahai
Whoever recites this with a full heart, Shambhu becomes their helper.
Chaupai 35
Riniyan Jo Koi Ho Adhikari
Path Kare So Pavan Hari
Anyone weighed down by debt who recites this is freed of it.
Chaupai 36
Putra Hon Kar Ichchha Joi
Nishchay Shiv Prasad Tehi Hoi
Whoever longs to have a son surely receives Shiva's blessing.
Chaupai 37
Pandit Trayodashi Ko Lave
Dhyan Poorvak Hom Karave
Invite a pandit on Trayodashi and have a homa done with devotion.
Chaupai 38
Trayodashi Vrat Karai Hamesha
Take Tan Nahin Rahai Kalesha
Whoever keeps the Trayodashi fast faithfully is left with no suffering in body.
Chaupai 39
Dhoop Deep Naivedya Chadhave
Shankar Sammukh Path Sunave
Offer incense, a lamp and food, and recite this before Shankar.
Chaupai 40
Janam Janam Ke Paap Nasave
Ant Dham Shivpur Mein Pave
The sins of many lifetimes are washed away, and in the end one reaches Shiva's abode.
Chaupai 41
Kahain Ayodhyadas Aas Tumhari
Jani Sakal Dukh Harahu Hamari
Ayodhyadas says: you are my hope. You know all our sorrows; please take them away.
Closing Doha 1
Nitt Nem Uthi Pratah Hi, Path Karo Chalis
Tum Meri Manokamana, Poorn Karo Jagdish
Rising early every morning as a daily rule, I recite these forty verses. Lord of the world, fulfil the wish of my heart.
Closing Doha 2
Magsar Chhathi Hemant Ritu, Samvat Chausath Jan
Astuti Chalisa Shivahi, Poorn Keen Kalyan
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.