विष्णु चालीसा
Origin & Story
Hindu devotional tradition · Unknown (folk tradition) · Medieval period
The Vishnu Chalisa captures the complete theology of Vaishnavism — Vishnu as the cosmic preserver who incarnates whenever dharma declines. It systematically covers all ten avatars, from the primordial Matsya (fish that saved the Vedas from the cosmic flood) to the future Kalki (who will end the Kali Yuga). The chalisa draws from the Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana, and the great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
✦ As told in scripture
The Bhagavata Purana narrates that when the demon Hiranyakashipu was tormenting his own son Prahlada for worshipping Vishnu, he challenged: 'Is your Vishnu in this pillar?' Prahlada answered yes. Hiranyakashipu struck the pillar, and Lord Vishnu burst forth as Narasimha (half-man, half-lion) — neither fully human nor animal, at twilight (neither day nor night), on the threshold (neither inside nor outside) — circumventing every condition of the demon's boon of invincibility. This demonstrates that Vishnu is truly omnipresent, as the Vishnu Chalisa declares.
Complete Text with Meaning
ॐ जय जगदीश हरे विष्णु जय जगदीश हरे। भक्त जनों के संकट दूर करो जगदीश हरे॥
Om Jai Jagdish Hare Vishnu Jai Jagdish Hare Bhakt Janon Ke Sankat Door Karo Jagdish Hare
Meaning:Om victory to Lord Jagdish Hari Vishnu! Remove the troubles of your devotees, O Lord of the universe.
नीलाम्बर पीताम्बर विष्णु धन्य धन्य। चतुर्भुज चक्रधारी कमल नयन अनन्य॥
Neelaambar Peetaambar Vishnu Dhanya Dhanya Chaturbhuj Chakradhari Kamal Nayan Ananya
Meaning:Blessed, blessed is Vishnu wearing blue and yellow garments. Four-armed, holding the discus, with lotus eyes, the incomparable one.
शेषशायी शंखधारी चक्रधारी विभु। गदापद्मधारी हरि सर्वव्यापक प्रभु॥
Sheshshayi Shankhdhari Chakradhari Vibhu Gadapadmadhari Hari Sarvavyapak Prabhu
Meaning:Reclining on Shesha, holding conch and discus, all-pervading. Holding mace and lotus, Hari is the all-encompassing Lord.
मत्स्य कूर्म वराह नृसिंह वामन परशुराम। राम कृष्ण बुद्ध कल्कि दश अवतार नाम॥
Matsya Kurma Varaha Nrisimha Vaman Parshuram Ram Krishna Buddha Kalki Dash Avatar Naam
Meaning:Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama — Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Kalki — these are the ten avatar names.
क्षीरसागर में निवासी शेष शय्या शोभित। लक्ष्मी पद सेवा करें नारद मुनि मोहित॥
Ksheersagar Mein Nivasi Shesh Shayya Shobhit Lakshmi Pad Seva Karein Narad Muni Mohit
Meaning:Dwelling in the ocean of milk, reclining beautifully on Shesha. Lakshmi serves at his feet, Sage Narada is enchanted.
गरुड़ वाहन विष्णु भगवान सबके पालनहार। सृष्टि रचना ब्रह्मा करें विष्णु करें प्रतिपालन॥
Garud Vahan Vishnu Bhagwan Sabke Palanhaar Srishti Rachna Brahma Karein Vishnu Karein Pratipalan
Meaning:Garuda is your vehicle, O Lord Vishnu, sustainer of all. Brahma creates the universe, Vishnu preserves it.
भक्त प्रह्लाद को बचाया नृसिंह अवतार लिया। हिरण्यकश्यप का वध किया जग को सुख दिया॥
Bhakt Prahlad Ko Bachaya Nrisimha Avatar Liya Hiranyakashipu Ka Vadh Kiya Jag Ko Sukh Diya
Meaning:You saved devotee Prahlada by taking the Narasimha avatar. You slew Hiranyakashipu and gave happiness to the world.
राम अवतार में रावण मारा लंका जलाई। सीता माता को छुड़ाया धर्म की जय पाई॥
Ram Avatar Mein Ravan Mara Lanka Jalayi Sita Mata Ko Chhudaya Dharm Ki Jai Payi
Meaning:As Rama you slew Ravana and burned Lanka. You rescued Mother Sita and established the victory of dharma.
कृष्ण बनके महाभारत में गीता ज्ञान सुनाया। अर्जुन को कर्म का पाठ विश्वरूप दिखाया॥
Krishna Banke Mahabharat Mein Geeta Gyan Sunaya Arjun Ko Karm Ka Paath Vishwaroop Dikhaya
Meaning:As Krishna in the Mahabharata you taught the Gita's wisdom. You taught Arjuna the path of karma and showed the universal cosmic form.
दोहा: विष्णु विष्णु विष्णु हरि विष्णु विष्णु भगवान। जो जन ध्यावे विष्णु को सो पावे कल्याण॥
Doha: Vishnu Vishnu Vishnu Hari Vishnu Vishnu Bhagwan Jo Jan Dhyave Vishnu Ko So Pave Kalyan
Meaning:Closing: Vishnu, Vishnu, Vishnu, Hari, Vishnu, Vishnu, God — whoever meditates on Vishnu attains auspiciousness.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting विष्णु चालीसा
Invokes the complete grace of Lord Vishnu — the preserver of the universe
Describes all 10 avatars — each avatar's power is invoked
Thursday recitation is especially powerful for Vishnu worship
Grants protection, preservation and divine sustenance
Connects devotee to the Bhagavad Gita wisdom through Krishna avatar
Removes all obstacles and grants ultimate welfare (kalyan)
How to Chant विष्णु चालीसा
Sit before Vishnu or Krishna image. Offer tulsi leaves and yellow flowers. Light a ghee diya. Chant 11 times on Thursdays. During Ekadashi fasting, chanting this chalisa adds special merit. The chalisa covers all 10 avatars — feel each avatar's unique divine quality as you chant.