Khatu Shyam Chalisa
Khatu Shyam Chalisa in English · English
Origin & Story
Traditional Hindi devotional hymn · Traditional · Devotional era
Khatu Shyam is Barbarika, grandson of Bhima and son of Ghatotkacha, a mighty warrior and supreme devotee. Before the Mahabharata war he vowed to fight for the losing side; to prevent the imbalance this would cause, Krishna asked for his head in charity, which Barbarika gave gladly. Moved by his sacrifice, Krishna granted that in the Kali Yuga he would be worshipped by Krishna's own name 'Shyam', and would be the refuge of the helpless. His temple at Khatu (Sikar, Rajasthan) is among the most visited in India.
✦ As told in scripture
Khatu Shyam is celebrated as 'Haare ka Sahara' — the support of the utterly defeated. The Chalisa recalls how the Name redeemed Ganika, Shabari, Ahalya, Ajamila and Sadan the butcher, and promises that whoever beholds Shyam's form with devotion is freed from the fear of existence and finds every sincere wish fulfilled without delay.
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Complete Text with Meaning
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Shri guru charana dhyana dhara,sumiri sachchidananda Shyama chalisa bhanata hun,racha chaipai chhanda
Meaning:Meditating on the feet of the Guru and remembering Sachchidananda, I recite the Shyam Chalisa, composing it in the chaupai metre.
Shyama shyama bhaji barambarasahaja hi ho bhavasagara para
Meaning:Chant 'Shyam, Shyam' again and again, and effortlessly cross the ocean of worldly existence.
Ina sama deva na duja koidina dayalu na data hoi
Meaning:There is no other god like him; none so kind to the lowly, none so generous a giver.
Bhimasuputra ahilavati jayakahim bhima ka pautra kahaya
Meaning:Son of Bhima's son (Ghatotkacha) and Ahilavati; he is also called the grandson of Bhima.
Yaha saba katha sahi kalpantaratanika na manom isamem antara
Meaning:This whole account is true across the ages (kalpas); do not doubt it in the least.
Barbarika vishnu avatarabhaktana hetu manuja tanu dhara
Meaning:Barbarika is an avatar of Vishnu; for the sake of his devotees he took on a human form.
Vasudeva devaki pyareyashumati maiya nanda dulare
Meaning:Beloved of Vasudeva and Devaki; the darling of Mother Yashoda and Nanda.
Madhusudana gopala muraribrijakishora govardhana dhari
Meaning:Madhusudana, Gopala, Murari; the youth of Braj, the lifter of Govardhan.
Siyarama shri hari govindadinapala shri bala mukunda
Meaning:Siyaram, Sri Hari, Govinda; protector of the lowly, Sri Bala Mukunda.
Damodara ranachhoda़ biharinatha dvarikadhisha kharari
Meaning:Damodara, Ranchhod, Bihari; the Lord, Dwarkadhish, the slayer of demons.
Narahari rupa prahalada pyarakhambha phari hiranakusha mara
Meaning:In the Narahari (Narasimha) form he was dear to Prahlada; splitting the pillar, he slew Hiranyakashipu.
Radha vallabha rukmini kamtagopi vallabha kamsa hanamta
Meaning:Beloved of Radha, consort of Rukmini; beloved of the gopis, the slayer of Kamsa.
Manamohana chittachora kahayemakhana chori chori kara khaye
Meaning:Called Manmohan (enchanter of hearts) and Chittachor (stealer of hearts); he stole and ate the butter.
Muralidhara yadupati ghanashyamakrishna patitapavana abhirama
Meaning:Murlidhar, lord of the Yadus, Ghanshyam; Krishna, purifier of the fallen, the delightful one.
Mayapati lakshmipati isapurushottama keshava jagadisha
Meaning:Lord of Maya, lord of Lakshmi, the Supreme; Purushottama, Keshava, Lord of the universe.
Vishvapati tribhuvana ujiyaradina bandhu bhaktana rakhavara
Meaning:Lord of the world, the light of the three realms; kinsman of the lowly, protector of devotees.
Prabhu ka bheda koi na payashesha mahesha thake muniraya
Meaning:None has fathomed the Lord's secret; even Shesha, Mahesha and the great sages grew weary.
Narada sharada rishi yogindarashyama shyama saba ratata nirantara
Meaning:Narada, Sharada, the sages and yogis ceaselessly repeat 'Shyam, Shyam'.
Kari kovida kari sake na ginantanama apara athaha ananta
Meaning:Even the wise and learned cannot count them; his names are boundless, unfathomable, infinite.
Hara srishti hara yuga mem bhaile avatara bhakta sukhadai
Meaning:In every creation and every age, O brother, he takes incarnation, bringing joy to devotees.
Hridaya manhi kari dekhu vicharashyama bhaje to ho nistara
Meaning:Reflect upon it within your heart: chant Shyam, and you shall be delivered.
Kira paढ़avata ganika taribhilani ki bhakti balihari
Meaning:A parrot, taught the Name, redeemed the courtesan Ganika; wondrous was the devotion of the Bhil woman (Shabari).
Sati ahilya gautama naribhai shrapa vasha shila dukhari
Meaning:The chaste Ahalya, wife of Gautama, who by a curse had become a suffering stone —
Shyama charana racha nita laipahunchi patiloka mem jai
Meaning:— ever placing her devotion at Shyam's feet, she reached her husband's world (was redeemed).
Ajamila aru sadana kasainama pratapa parama gati pai
Meaning:Ajamila and Sadan the butcher attained the supreme state by the power of the Name.
Jake shyama nama adharasukha lahahi duhkha dura ho sara
Meaning:Whoever has the support of Shyam's name gains happiness, and all sorrow is removed.
Shyama sulochana hai ati sundaramora mukuta sira tana pitambara
Meaning:Shyam is beautiful-eyed and exceedingly handsome; a peacock crown upon his head, yellow silk upon his body.
Gala vaijayantimala suhaichhavi anupa bhaktana mana bhai
Meaning:A lovely Vaijayanti garland adorns his neck; his matchless beauty delights the devotees' hearts.
Shyama shyama sumirahu dinaratishama dupahari aru parabhati
Meaning:Remember 'Shyam, Shyam' day and night — at evening, at noon and at dawn.
Shyama sarathi jisake ratha keroda़e dura hoya usa patha ke
Meaning:He whose chariot Shyam drives as charioteer — the stones (obstacles) of that path are cleared away.
Shyama bhakta na kahim para harabhira pari taba shyama pukara
Meaning:A devotee of Shyam is never defeated anywhere; when trouble strikes, they call upon Shyam.
Rasana shyama nama rasa pi leji le shyama nama ke hale
Meaning:Let the tongue drink the nectar of Shyam's name; live by relishing the joy of Shyam's name.
Samsari sukha bhoga milegaanta shyama sukha yoga milega
Meaning:You will gain worldly enjoyment, and in the end the blissful union with Shyam.
Shyama prabhu haim tana ke kalemana ke gore bhole bhale
Meaning:Lord Shyam is dark of body, yet white (pure) of heart — innocent and guileless.
Shyama samta bhaktana hitakariroga dosha agha nashai bhari
Meaning:Shyam is the benefactor of saints and devotees; he destroys grievous disease, fault and sin.
Prema sahita je nama pukarabhakta lagata shyama ko pyara
Meaning:Whoever calls his name with love — that devotee becomes dear to Shyam.
Khatu mem hai mathura vasipara brahma purana avinasi
Meaning:He dwells at Khatu, the resident of Mathura; the Supreme Brahman, perfect and imperishable.
Sudha tana bhari murali bajaichahum dishi nana jahan suni pai
Meaning:He played the flute filled with nectarous melody, heard far and wide in every direction.
Vriddha bala jete nari naramugdha bhaye suni vamshi ke svara
Meaning:Old and young, all the women and men, were enchanted on hearing the notes of his flute.
Dauda़ dauda़ pahunche saba jaikhatu mem jahan shyama kanhai
Meaning:Running and running they all arrived where Shyam Kanhaiya is, at Khatu.
Jisane shyama svarupa niharabhava bhaya se paya chhutakara
Meaning:Whoever beheld the form of Shyam was freed from the fear of existence.
Shyama salone sanvare,barbarika tanu dhara Ichchha purna bhakta ki,karo na lao bara
Meaning:O lovely dark Shyam, bearing the body of Barbarika — fulfil your devotee's wish, and do not delay.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Khatu Shyam Chalisa
The Khatu Shyam Chalisa invokes Shyam Baba (Barbarika) — known as 'Haare ka Sahara', the support of the defeated and helpless.
Chanted for the fulfilment of wishes, removal of obstacles, courage in hardship and unwavering devotion.
Recalls Shyam's identity with Krishna and his many redemptive deeds, deepening faith.
Hugely beloved across Rajasthan and North India; central to the worship at Khatu Shyam Ji temple.
Said to remove disease, fault and sorrow, and to grant both worldly happiness and final union with Shyam.
Especially powerful on the eleventh lunar day (Ekadashi) and during the Phalguna Khatu Shyam fair.
How to Chant Khatu Shyam Chalisa
Sit before an image of Khatu Shyam Ji, offer a peacock feather, churma and a lamp, and recite the Chalisa with loving devotion. Many sing it with the popular cry 'Haare ka Sahara — Khatu Shyam Hamara'. Ekadashi is especially dear to Shyam Baba, as is a pilgrimage to Khatu.
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Read the full Khatu Shyam Chalisa with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts