राम चालीसा
Origin & Story
Traditional Hindi devotional hymn · Traditional (signed 'Haridas') · Devotional era
The Ram Chalisa is a forty-verse Hindi hymn in the beloved chalisa tradition, praising Rama as Maryada Purushottam — the perfect embodiment of dharma. It dwells above all on the boundless power of Rama's name, which the Vedas proclaim, which Shiva eternally repeats, and which carries the devotee across every difficulty to the abode of Vaikuntha.
✦ As told in scripture
The Chalisa celebrates the supreme power of the Ram-naam: Shiva ever repeats it, the serpent Shesha bears the earth as lightly as a flower while chanting it, and even Ganesha was made first-worshipped by Rama's grace. Its closing promise is direct — recite it with the mind fixed on Rama's feet, and every sincere wish is fulfilled.
Complete Text with Meaning
श्री रघुबीर भक्त हितकारी। सुनि लीजै प्रभु अरज हमारी॥
Shri raghubira bhakta hitakari Suni lijai prabhu araja hamari
Meaning:O Sri Raghuvira (Rama), benefactor of your devotees, hear, O Lord, this humble plea of ours.
निशि दिन ध्यान धरै जो कोई। ता सम भक्त और नहीं होई॥
Nishi dina dhyana dharai jo koi Ta sama bhakta aura nahim hoi
Meaning:Whoever meditates upon you night and day — there is no devotee equal to them.
ध्यान धरें शिवजी मन मांही। ब्रह्मा, इन्द्र पार नहीं पाहीं॥
Dhyana dharem shivaji mana mamhi Brahma, indra para nahim pahim
Meaning:Shiva himself holds your meditation in his heart; even Brahma and Indra cannot reach your limit.
दूत तुम्हार वीर हनुमाना। जासु प्रभाव तिहुं पुर जाना॥
Duta tumhara vira hanumana Jasu prabhava tihum pura jana
Meaning:Your messenger is the hero Hanuman, whose might is known throughout the three worlds.
जय, जय, जय रघुनाथ कृपाला। सदा करो संतन प्रतिपाला॥
Jaya, jaya, jaya raghunatha kripala Sada karo samtana pratipala
Meaning:Victory, victory, victory, O compassionate Raghunatha; ever protect the saints.
तुव भुजदण्ड प्रचण्ड कृपाला। रावण मारि सुरन प्रतिपाला॥
Tuva bhujadanda prachanda kripala Ravana mari surana pratipala
Meaning:Your mighty arms are fierce, O merciful one; slaying Ravana, you protected the gods.
तुम अनाथ के नाथ गोसाईं। दीनन के हो सदा सहाई॥
Tuma anatha ke natha gosaim Dinana ke ho sada sahai
Meaning:You are the Lord of the orphaned, O Master; ever the helper of the lowly.
ब्रह्मादिक तव पार न पावैं। सदा ईश तुम्हरो यश गावैं॥
Brahmadika tava para na pavaim Sada isha tumharo yasha gavaim
Meaning:Brahma and the gods cannot find your limit; ever, O Lord, they sing your glory.
चारिउ भेद भरत हैं साखी। तुम भक्तन की लज्जा राखी॥
Chariu bheda bharata haim sakhi Tuma bhaktana ki lajja rakhi
Meaning:The four Vedas bear witness; you preserve the honour of your devotees.
गुण गावत शारद मन माहीं। सुरपति ताको पार न पाहिं॥
Guna gavata sharada mana mahim Surapati tako para na pahim
Meaning:Sharada (Saraswati) sings your virtues in her heart, yet even Indra cannot reach your end.
नाम तुम्हार लेत जो कोई। ता सम धन्य और नहीं होई॥
Nama tumhara leta jo koi Ta sama dhanya aura nahim hoi
Meaning:Whoever takes your name — none is more blessed than they.
राम नाम है अपरम्पारा। चारिहु वेदन जाहि पुकारा॥
Rama nama hai aparampara Charihu vedana jahi pukara
Meaning:The name of Rama is boundless; all four Vedas proclaim it.
गणपति नाम तुम्हारो लीन्हो। तिनको प्रथम पूज्य तुम कीन्हो॥
Ganapati nama tumharo linho Tinako prathama pujya tuma kinho
Meaning:You took on the name of Ganapati (Ganesha) and made him the first to be worshipped.
शेष रटत नित नाम तुम्हारा। महि को भार शीश पर धारा॥
Shesha ratata nita nama tumhara Mahi ko bhara shisha para dhara
Meaning:Shesha (the serpent) ever repeats your name, bearing the burden of the earth upon his head.
फूल समान रहत सो भारा। पावत कोऊ न तुम्हरो पारा॥
Phula samana rahata so bhara Pavata kou na tumharo para
Meaning:That burden rests as light as a flower for him; yet no one finds your limit.
भरत नाम तुम्हरो उर धारो। तासों कबहूं न रण में हारो॥
Bharata nama tumharo ura dharo Tasom kabahum na rana mem haro
Meaning:Hold the name of Bharata in your heart, and you will never be defeated in battle.
नाम शत्रुहन हृदय प्रकाशा। सुमिरत होत शत्रु कर नाशा॥
Nama shatruhana hridaya prakasha Sumirata hota shatru kara nasha
Meaning:The name of Shatrughna shines in the heart; remembering it, the enemy is destroyed.
लखन तुम्हारे आज्ञाकारी। सदा करत सन्तन रखवारी॥
Lakhana tumhare ajnakari Sada karata santana rakhavari
Meaning:Lakshmana is obedient to you, ever guarding the saints.
ताते रण जीते नहिं कोई। युद्ध जुरे यमहूं किन होई॥
Tate rana jite nahim koi Yuddha jure yamahum kina hoi
Meaning:Therefore none can win against them in battle, even were Yama himself to join the fight.
महालक्ष्मी धर अवतारा। सब विधि करत पाप को छारा॥
Mahalakshmi dhara avatara Saba vidhi karata papa ko chhara
Meaning:Mahalakshmi took incarnation (as Sita) and in every way reduced sin to ashes.
सीता राम पुनीता गायो। भुवनेश्वरी प्रभाव दिखायो॥
Sita rama punita gayo Bhuvaneshvari prabhava dikhayo
Meaning:Sita and Rama were sung as purifiers; she showed the power of Bhuvaneshwari.
घट सों प्रकट भई सो आई। जाको देखत चन्द्र लजाई॥
Ghata som prakata bhai so ai Jako dekhata chandra lajai
Meaning:She appeared from the earth (a pot), at whose sight even the moon felt shy.
जो तुम्हरे नित पांव पलोटत। नवो निद्धि चरणन में लोटत॥
Jo tumhare nita pamva palotata Navo niddhi charanana mem lotata
Meaning:Those who ever press your feet — the nine treasures roll at their feet.
सिद्धि अठारह मंगलकारी। सो तुम पर जावै बलिहारी॥
Siddhi atharaha mamgalakari So tuma para javai balihari
Meaning:The eighteen auspicious siddhis are ever sacrificed in devotion to you.
औरहु जो अनेक प्रभुताई। सो सीतापति तुमहिं बनाई॥
Aurahu jo aneka prabhutai So sitapati tumahim banai
Meaning:And whatever other glories exist, O Lord of Sita, you have created them all.
इच्छा ते कोटिन संसारा। रचत न लागत पल की बारा॥
Ichchha te kotina samsara Rachata na lagata pala ki bara
Meaning:By your mere wish, millions of universes are made in less than a moment.
जो तुम्हरे चरणन चित लावै। ताकी मुक्ति अवसि हो जावै॥
Jo tumhare charanana chita lavai Taki mukti avasi ho javai
Meaning:Whoever fixes the mind upon your feet surely attains liberation.
सुनहु राम तुम तात हमारे। तुमहिं भरत कुल पूज्य प्रचारे॥
Sunahu rama tuma tata hamare Tumahim bharata kula pujya prachare
Meaning:Hear me, O Rama, you are our father; you are proclaimed worthy of worship in Bharata's line.
तुमहिं देव कुल देव हमारे। तुम गुरु देव प्राण के प्यारे॥
Tumahim deva kula deva hamare Tuma guru deva prana ke pyare
Meaning:You are the deity of our family of gods; you are our Guru, beloved as our very life.
जो कुछ हो सो तुमहिं राजा। जय जय जय प्रभु राखो लाजा॥
Jo kuchha ho so tumahim raja Jaya jaya jaya prabhu rakho laja
Meaning:Whatever there is, all is yours, O King; victory, victory, victory, O Lord — preserve our honour.
राम आत्मा पोषण हारे। जय जय जय दशरथ के प्यारे॥
Rama atma poshana hare Jaya jaya jaya dasharatha ke pyare
Meaning:O Rama, nourisher of the soul; victory, victory, victory, O beloved of Dasharatha.
जय जय जय प्रभु ज्योति स्वरुपा। नर्गुण ब्रहृ अखण्ड अनूपा॥
Jaya jaya jaya prabhu jyoti svarupa Narguna brahri akhanda anupa
Meaning:Victory, victory, O Lord of the form of pure light; the attributeless Brahman, unbroken and matchless.
सत्य सत्य जय सत्यव्रत स्वामी। सत्य सनातन अन्तर्यामी॥
Satya satya jaya satyavrata svami Satya sanatana antaryami
Meaning:Truly, truly, victory, O Lord true to your vow; the eternal Truth, the inner controller of all.
सत्य भजन तुम्हरो जो गावै। सो निश्चय चारों फल पावै॥
Satya bhajana tumharo jo gavai So nishchaya charom phala pavai
Meaning:Whoever sings your true praise surely obtains all four fruits of life.
सत्य शपथ गौरीपति कीन्हीं। तुमने भक्तिहिं सब सिधि दीन्हीं॥
Satya shapatha gauripati kinhim Tumane bhaktihim saba sidhi dinhim
Meaning:Gauri's Lord (Shiva) took a true oath: you bestow every perfection through devotion.
ज्ञान हृदय दो ज्ञान स्वरुपा। नमो नमो जय जगपति भूपा॥
Jnana hridaya do jnana svarupa Namo namo jaya jagapati bhupa
Meaning:Grant knowledge to my heart, O embodiment of knowledge; salutations, salutations, victory, O Lord of the world.
धन्य धन्य तुम धन्य प्रतापा। नाम तुम्हार हरत संतापा॥
Dhanya dhanya tuma dhanya pratapa Nama tumhara harata samtapa
Meaning:Blessed, blessed, blessed is your majesty; your name removes all affliction.
सत्य शुद्ध देवन मुख गाया। बजी दुन्दुभी शंख बजाया॥
Satya shuddha devana mukha gaya Baji dundubhi shamkha bajaya
Meaning:The true, pure praise was sung from the mouths of the gods; kettledrums sounded and conches were blown.
सत्य सत्य तुम सत्य सनातन। तुम ही हो हमरे तन-मन धन॥
Satya satya tuma satya sanatana Tuma hi ho hamare tana-mana dhana
Meaning:Truly, truly you are the eternal Truth; you alone are our body, mind and wealth.
याको पाठ करे जो कोई। ज्ञान प्रकट ताके उर होई॥
Yako patha kare jo koi Jnana prakata take ura hoi
Meaning:Whoever recites this — knowledge arises clearly in their heart.
आवागमन मिटै तिहि केरा। सत्य वचन माने शिव मेरा॥
Avagamana mitai tihi kera Satya vachana mane shiva mera
Meaning:Their cycle of birth and death is ended — Shiva himself accepts this as true.
और आस मन में जो होई। मनवांछित फल पावे सोई॥
Aura asa mana mem jo hoi Manavamchhita phala pave soi
Meaning:And whatever other hope is in the mind, that very wish is fulfilled.
तीनहुं काल ध्यान जो ल्यावै। तुलसी दल अरु फूल चढ़ावै॥
Tinahum kala dhyana jo lyavai Tulasi dala aru phula chadha़avai
Meaning:Whoever brings your meditation at all three times of day, and offers tulsi leaves and flowers —
साग पत्र सो भोग लगावै। सो नर सकल सिद्धता पावै॥
Saga patra so bhoga lagavai So nara sakala siddhata pavai
Meaning:— and offers a simple food of greens — that person attains complete perfection.
अन्त समय रघुबर पुर जाई। जहां जन्म हरि भक्त कहाई॥
Anta samaya raghubara pura jai Jaham janma hari bhakta kahai
Meaning:At the final hour they go to Rama's abode, where they are born as a devotee of Hari.
श्री हरिदास कहै अरु गावै। सो बैकुण्ठ धाम को पावै॥
Shri haridasa kahai aru gavai So baikuntha dhama ko pavai
Meaning:So says and sings Sri Haridas; that one attains the abode of Vaikuntha.
सात दिवस जो नेम कर,पाठ करे चित लाय। हरिदास हरि कृपा से,अवसि भक्ति को पाय॥
Sata divasa jo nema kara,patha kare chita laya Haridasa hari kripa se,avasi bhakti ko paya
Meaning:Whoever, with a focused mind, keeps the discipline for seven days and recites it — by Hari's grace Haridas (the devotee) surely attains devotion.
राम चालीसा जो पढ़े,राम चरण चित लाय। जो इच्छा मन में करै,सकल सिद्ध हो जाय॥
Rama chalisa jo padha़e,rama charana chita laya Jo ichchha mana mem karai,sakala siddha ho jaya
Meaning:Whoever reads the Ram Chalisa, fixing the mind on Rama's feet — whatever wish is in the mind, all is fulfilled.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting राम चालीसा
Daily recitation of the Ram Chalisa invokes the grace of Lord Rama (Maryada Purushottam) for protection, victory and righteousness.
Said to remove fear, enemies and obstacles, and to grant peace, prosperity and devotion.
The Chalisa promises that whoever recites it with the mind fixed on Rama's feet has every sincere wish fulfilled.
Recalls the glory of Rama's name — which even the Vedas proclaim and Shiva eternally repeats.
Especially powerful on Ram Navami, Tuesdays, and during Ramayana / Sundarkand recitation.
Keeping the seven-day discipline of recitation is said to surely bestow devotion by Hari's grace.
How to Chant राम चालीसा
After bathing, sit before an image of Sri Rama (with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman). Light a lamp, offer tulsi leaves and flowers, and recite the Chalisa with the mind fixed on Rama's lotus feet. The text recommends a focused seven-day observance for devotion. Conclude with 'Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram' and aarti.