Shiv Chalisa
शिव चालीसा
Origin & Story
Hindu devotional tradition · Unknown (attributed to devotional folk tradition) · Medieval period
The Shiv Chalisa follows the Chalisa tradition popularized by Tulsidas, but its specific authorship is debated. It describes Lord Shiva in his complete form — the ascetic who is also the householder, the destroyer who is also the creator, the fierce one who is also compassionate. The narrative draws from the Shiva Purana, referencing his destruction of Tripurasur, his role in the Samudra Manthan (ocean churning), and his eternal dance of creation and dissolution.
✦ As told in scripture
The Shiva Purana narrates that when the poison Halahala emerged during the churning of the cosmic ocean, threatening to destroy all creation, neither gods nor demons could contain it. Lord Shiva drank the entire poison to save the universe. Goddess Parvati pressed his throat to prevent it from entering his body, turning his throat blue — hence his name Neelkanth (Blue-Throated One). This act of self-sacrifice for all of creation is the ultimate demonstration of Shiva's compassion.
Complete Text with Meaning
॥ दोहा ॥ जय गणेश गिरिजा सुवन, मंगल मूल सुजान। कहत अयोध्यादास तुम, देहु अभय वरदान॥
|| Doha || Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan, Mangal Mool Sujaan Kahat Ayodhyadas Tum, Dehu Abhay Vardaan
Meaning:Opening Doha: Victory to Ganesh, son of Girija (Parvati), the wise root of all auspiciousness. Ayodhyadas says — grant us the boon of fearlessness.
॥ चौपाई ॥ जय गिरिजा पति दीनदयाला। सदा करत सन्तन प्रतिपाला॥
|| Chaupai || Jai Girijapati Deendayala Sada Karat Santan Pratipala
Meaning:Victory to the Lord of Parvati, compassionate to the humble. You always protect the saints.
भाल चन्द्रमा सोहत नीके। कानन कुण्डल नागफनी के॥
Bhal Chandrama Sohat Neeke Kanan Kundal Nagphani Ke
Meaning:The crescent moon adorns your forehead beautifully. Your earrings are serpent hoods.
अंग गौर शिर गंग बहाये। मुण्डमाल तन छार लगाये॥
Ang Gaur Shir Gang Bahaye Mundmal Tan Chhar Lagaye
Meaning:Your body is fair, the Ganga flows from your head. You wear a garland of skulls and smear ash on your body.
वस्त्र खाल बाघम्बर सोहे। छवि को देख नाग मुनि मोहे॥
Vastra Khal Baghambr Sohe Chhavi Ko Dekh Naag Muni Mohe
Meaning:You are adorned in tiger skin. Seeing your beauty, even serpents and sages are enchanted.
मैना मातु की हवै दुलारी। वाम अंग सोहत छवि न्यारी॥
Maina Matu Ki Havai Dulari Vam Ang Sohat Chhavi Nyari
Meaning:Parvati, the beloved daughter of Maina, sits at your left side in unique splendor.
कर त्रिशूल सोहत छवि भारी। करत सदा शत्रुन क्षयकारी॥
Kar Trishul Sohat Chhavi Bhari Karat Sada Shatrun Kshayakari
Meaning:The trident in your hand looks magnificent. You constantly destroy all enemies.
नन्दि गणेश सोहत तहँ कैसे। सागर मध्य कमल हैं जैसे॥
Nandi Ganesh Sohat Tahan Kaise Sagar Madhya Kamal Hain Jaise
Meaning:Nandi and Ganesh sit beside you, like lotuses in the middle of an ocean.
कार्तिक श्याम और गणराऊ। या छवि को कहि जात न काऊ॥
Kartik Shyam Aur Ganrau Ya Chhavi Ko Kahi Jaat Na Kau
Meaning:Kartikeya, the dark one, and lord Ganesha — no one can describe this divine vision.
देवन जबहीं जाय पुकारा। तबहीं दुख प्रभु आप निवारा॥
Devan Jabahi Jaay Pukara Tabahi Dukh Prabhu Aap Nivara
Meaning:Whenever the gods come crying to you, you immediately remove their sorrows.
किया उपद्रव तारक भारी। देवन सब मिलि तुमहिं जुहारी॥
Kiya Upadrav Tarak Bhari Devan Sab Mili Tumhi Juhari
Meaning:When the demon Tarak caused great havoc, all the gods together came to pray to you.
तुरत षडानन आप पठायऊ। लवनिमेष महँ मारि गिरायऊ॥
Turat Shadanan Aap Pathayau Lav Nimesh Mahan Maari Girayau
Meaning:You immediately sent your six-faced son (Kartikeya). In the blink of an eye, he slew and felled the demon.
आप जलन्धर असुर संहारा। सुयश तुम्हार विदित संसारा॥
Aap Jalandhar Asur Samhara Suyash Tumhar Vidit Sansara
Meaning:You yourself destroyed the demon Jalandhar. Your glory is known throughout the world.
त्रिपुरासुर सन युद्ध मचाई। सबहिं कृपा करि लीन बचाई॥
Tripurasur San Yuddh Machai Sabhi Kripa Kari Leen Bachai
Meaning:You waged war against the demon Tripurasur. With your grace, you saved everyone.
किया तपहिं भागीरथ भारी। पुरब प्रतिज्ञा तासु पुरारी॥
Kiya Tapahi Bhagirath Bhari Purab Pratigya Tasu Purari
Meaning:Bhagirath performed great penance. You fulfilled his ancient vow, O Lord.
दानिन महँ तुम सम कोउ नाहीं। सेवक स्तुति करत सदाहीं॥
Danin Mahan Tum Sam Kou Nahin Sevak Stuti Karat Sadahin
Meaning:Among the generous, none equals you. Your devotees always sing your praises.
वेद नाम महिमा तव गाईं। अकथ अनादि भेद नहिं पाईं॥
Ved Naam Mahima Tav Gayin Akath Anadi Bhed Nahin Payin
Meaning:The Vedas sing the glory of your name. Indescribable, beginningless — they cannot fathom your mystery.
प्रगट उदधि मंथन में ज्वाला। जरत सुरासुर भए बिहाला॥
Pragat Udadhi Manthan Mein Jwala Jarat Surasur Bhaye Bihala
Meaning:During the churning of the ocean, terrible poison emerged. Both gods and demons were distraught as it burned.
कीन्ह दया तहँ करी सहाई। नीलकंठ तब नाम कहाई॥
Keenh Daya Tahan Kari Sahai Neelkanth Tab Naam Kahai
Meaning:You showed mercy and came to their aid. Then you were called Neelkanth (the blue-throated one).
पूजन रामचन्द्र जब कीन्हा। जीत के लंक विभीषण दीन्हा॥
Poojan Ramchandra Jab Keenha Jeet Ke Lanka Vibheeshan Deenha
Meaning:When Lord Ramchandra performed your worship, he conquered Lanka and gave it to Vibhishana.
सहस कमल में हो रहे धारी। कीन्ह परीक्षा तबहिं पुरारी॥
Sahas Kamal Mein Ho Rahe Dhari Keenh Pariksha Tabahi Purari
Meaning:Ram was offering a thousand lotuses to you. Then you, O Lord, tested his devotion.
एक कमल प्रभु राखेउ जोई। कमल नयन पूजन चहँ सोई॥
Ek Kamal Prabhu Rakheu Joi Kamal Nayan Poojan Chaha Soi
Meaning:You hid one lotus. Ram offered his own lotus-like eye in its place.
कठिन भक्ति देखी प्रभु शंकर। भए प्रसन्न दिए इच्छित वर॥
Kathin Bhakti Dekhi Prabhu Shankar Bhaye Prasanna Diye Ichchhit Var
Meaning:Seeing such intense devotion, Lord Shankar was pleased and granted him the desired boon.
जय जय जय अनन्त अविनाशी। करत कृपा सबके घटवासी॥
Jai Jai Jai Anant Avinashi Karat Kripa Sabke Ghatvasi
Meaning:Victory, victory, victory to the infinite and imperishable! You dwell in all hearts and shower grace upon everyone.
दुष्ट सकल मोहिं नित सतावैं। भ्रमत रहउँ मोहिं चैन न आवै॥
Dusht Sakal Mohi Nit Satavain Bhramat Rahau Mohi Chain Na Aavai
Meaning:Wicked people torment me constantly. I wander restlessly with no peace.
त्राहि त्राहि मैं नाथ पुकारो। यहि अवसर मोहिं आन उबारो॥
Trahi Trahi Main Naath Pukaro Yahi Avasar Mohi Aan Ubaro
Meaning:I cry out — save me, save me, O Lord! At this moment, come and rescue me.
लै त्रिशूल शत्रुन को मारो। संकट से मोहिं आन उबारो॥
Lai Trishul Shatrun Ko Maro Sankat Se Mohi Aan Ubaro
Meaning:Take up your trident and destroy my enemies. Rescue me from this crisis.
मात पिता भ्राता सब कोई। संकट में पूछत नहिं कोई॥
Maat Pita Bhrata Sab Koi Sankat Mein Poochhat Nahin Koi
Meaning:Mother, father, brothers — everyone — in times of trouble, no one asks about me.
स्वामी एक है आस तुम्हारी। आय हरहु अब संकट भारी॥
Swami Ek Hai Aas Tumhari Aay Harahu Ab Sankat Bhari
Meaning:O Lord, my only hope is in you. Come now and remove this great difficulty.
धाम तुम्हारो कैलाश है भारी। सब जग जानत सुन्दर न्यारी॥
Dham Tumharo Kailash Hai Bhari Sab Jag Janat Sundar Nyari
Meaning:Your abode is the mighty Kailash. The whole world knows its incomparable beauty.
नन्दी भृंगी सदा सोहारी। करत भजन ब्रह्म सुकुमारी॥
Nandi Bhringi Sada Sohari Karat Bhajan Brahm Sukumari
Meaning:Nandi and Bhringi are always delighted there. Brahma and other gods perform worship.
कंचन कुण्डल कर्णन शोभे। देवता दर्शन को अति लोभे॥
Kanchan Kundal Karnan Shobhe Devta Darshan Ko Ati Lobhe
Meaning:Golden earrings adorn your ears beautifully. The gods are eager to behold you.
प्रसन्न चित होइ शम्भु शूला। बाँट दे सबको अमर फला॥
Prasanna Chit Hoi Shambhu Shoola Bant De Sabko Amar Phala
Meaning:When Lord Shambhu is pleased in his heart, he distributes the immortal fruit to all.
नागपाश लपेट शरीरा। ऐसे शोभित त्रिपुरारी वीरा॥
Nagpash Lapet Sharira Aise Shobhit Tripurari Veera
Meaning:Serpents are wrapped around your body. Thus adorned, O brave Tripurari, you shine.
करत सदा शत्रुन क्षयकारी। देवताओं के सदा सुखकारी॥
Karat Sada Shatrun Kshayakari Devtaon Ke Sada Sukhkari
Meaning:You always destroy enemies. You always bring happiness to the gods.
शिव चालीसा जो कोई गावे। सब सुख सम्पत्ति घर आवे॥
Shiv Chalisa Jo Koi Gaave Sab Sukh Sampatti Ghar Aave
Meaning:Whoever sings this Shiv Chalisa, all happiness and prosperity comes to their home.
काशी में विराजत शम्भु शंकर। आरती होत सदा जय कर॥
Kashi Mein Virajat Shambhu Shankar Aarti Hot Sada Jai Kar
Meaning:In Kashi, Lord Shambhu Shankar resides. His aarti is performed with triumphant celebration always.
विश्वनाथ दरबार है भारी। जहाँ बसत तीनों त्रिपुरारी॥
Vishwanath Darbar Hai Bhari Jahan Basat Teeno Tripurari
Meaning:The court of Vishwanath is magnificent. There the Lord of the three worlds dwells.
दशरथ एक अचम्भो देखा। शम्भु विवाह मनोहर पेखा॥
Dashrath Ek Achambho Dekha Shambhu Vivah Manohar Pekha
Meaning:Dashrath witnessed a wondrous sight — the beautiful and enchanting wedding of Lord Shambhu.
सुन्दरदास ज्ञान नहिं पायो। शिव चालीसा अल्प बनायो॥
Sundardas Gyan Nahin Payo Shiv Chalisa Alp Banayo
Meaning:Sundardas says he has not attained full knowledge, and has composed this humble Shiv Chalisa.
जो यह पढ़े महेश्वर पूजा। उसकी कठिन कभी नहिं दूजा॥
Jo Yah Padhe Maheshwar Pooja Uski Kathin Kabhi Nahin Dooja
Meaning:Whoever reads this worship of Maheshwar, no difficulty can ever touch them.
॥ दोहा ॥ मंत्र तंत्र विज्ञान के जो कुछ होवे सार। शिव शिव शिव सत्य है शिव का नाम अपार॥
|| Doha || Mantra Tantra Vigyan Ke Jo Kuchh Hove Saar Shiv Shiv Shiv Satya Hai Shiv Ka Naam Apaar
Meaning:Closing Doha: Of all mantras, tantras and sciences — whatever essence exists — Shiva, Shiva, Shiva is the truth. The name of Shiva is infinite.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Shiv Chalisa
Invokes Lord Shiva's complete grace and protection
Especially powerful on Mondays, Maha Shivaratri and Shravan month
Grants peace of mind, removes anger and negative emotions
Destroys enemies and obstacles as described in the verses
Brings harmony in marriage (Shiva-Parvati being the ideal couple)
Regular Monday recitation transforms one's spiritual life
How to Chant Shiv Chalisa
Sit before a Shiva Lingam or image. Light a diya with ghee. Offer bilva leaves and water. Chant 11 times on Mondays for regular practice. During Shravan month (July-August), daily recitation is especially powerful. The Shiv Chalisa can be followed by chanting 'Om Namah Shivaya' 108 times for deeper devotion.