I was inspired to write my experience and understanding of the Hanuman Chalisa after listening to the discourse on Hanuman Chalisa by Swami Swaroopanandaji.

Swamiji’s discourse was in Sydney from Friday June 19 to Thursday June 25, 2009.

Shree Guru Charan Saroj Raj, Nij M! an Mukar Sudhari,
Barnau Raghuvar Bimal Jasu, Jo dayaku Phal Chari

I prostrate at my Guru’s feet to serenity find
As His dust cleanses the mirror of my deluded mind
That His glorious reflections I can now behold
Singing the Raghu scion’s praise that His powers unfold

Budhi heen Tanu Janike, Sumirow, Pavan Kumar,
Bal Buddhi Vidya Dehu Mohi, Harahu Kalesh Bikaar

Bless me with strength and knowledge that my desires forego
Arm me with wisdom and dispel my ignorance born of blind ego
That I may serve selflessly with unerring and untiring humility
Just as the God of Wind that sustains our life in tranquility

Jai Hanuman Gyan Guna Sagar
Jai Kipis Tihun Lok Ujgaar (1)

Oh Hanumanji, you are an ocean of knowledge and virtue
Lord of the monkeys known to the three worlds and true (1)

Ramdoot Atulit Bal Dhamaa,
Anjani Putra Pavansut naamaa (2)

Messenger of Lord Rama and the one born to Anjani
Your strength brings fame as the Wind Lord’s progeny (2)

Mahebeer Bikram Bajrangi,
Kumati Nivaar Sumati Ke Sangi (3)

Of unfettered heroism and incomparable physical power
You dispel evil thoughts and bestow good sense forever (3)

Kanchan Baran Biraaj Subesaa,
Kanan kundal kunchit kesa (4)

A complexion that is golden yellow matched your robes
A curly mane and glittering earrings adorn your lobes (4)

Hath Bajra Aur Dhvaja Birjai
Kandhe Moonj Janeu Saage (5)

The mace that destroys foes external is in your hands
Across your shoulder, a focal knot from nature’s three strands (5)

Shankar Suvna Kesari Nandan,
Tej Pratap Maha Jag Vandan (6)

Oh Son of Siva and Kesari who strolls with pride
Your fame glows across this universe with every stride (6)

Vidyavaan Guni Ati Chatur,
Ram Kaj Karibe Ko Atur (7)

The embodiment of supreme knowledge that you are
Ever at the ready to serve Lord Rama near or far (7)

Prabhu Charittra Sunibe Ko Rasiya,
Ram Lakhan Sita man basyia (8)

With your head and heart, you listen so well
That Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita within you verily dwell (8)

Sukshma roop Dhari Siyahi Dikhwana,
Bikat roop Dhari Lank Jarawa (9)

With humility, before Sita Ji you bow to retire
And with awesome power you set Lanka on fire (9)

Bhim roop Dhari Asur Sanhare,
Ramchandra Ke kaaj Savare (10)

With overwhelming might you destroyed those demons
With dexterity and skill you delivered on Sri Ram’s sermons (10)

Laye Sajivan Lakhan Jiyaye,
Shri Raghubir harashi ur laye (11)

Laksman Ji’s life with herbs you restored
That unconditional love Shri Ramji on you bestowed (11)

Raghupati Kinhi Bahut Badaai,
Tum Mama Priya Bharat Sam Bahi (12)

For verily Shri Ram your virtuesextolled
‘You are as dear as brother Bharat’ he soon echoed (12)

Sahastra Badan Tumharo Jas Gaave,
Asa kahi Shripati Kanth Laagave (13)

Insufficient are a thousand mouths your glories to sing
Your dedication and love of Shri Ram bring (13)

Sankadik Brahmadi Muneesa,
Narad Sarad Sahit Aheesa (14)

Great sages of yore from hermit to hill
Your love of Lord Ram their memories fill (14)

Jam Kuber Digpal Jahan Te,
Kabi Kabid Kahin Sake Kahan Te (15)

Neither the taker or banker, guardians or sages
Find words adequate to fill their glorious pages (15)

Tum Upkar Sugrivahi Keenha
Ram Milaya Rajpad Deenha (16)

A yeoman service you offered Sugriv
Through Lord Ram his throne he could now retrieve (16)

Tumharo Mantro Bibhishan Maana,
Lankeshwar Bhaye Sab Jag Jaana (17)

That Vibhishana heeded your advice is known
For that’s what gave him the Lankan crown (17)

Juug Sahastra Jojan Par Bhaanu,
Leelyo Taahi Madhur Phal Jaanu (18)

Across the world to the sun you leapt
As if to grab a luscious fruit in jest!! (18)

Prabhu Mudrika Meli Mukha Maaheen,
Jaladhi Langhi Gaye Acharaj Naheen (19)

Little wonder that with Shri Ram’s ring in your mouth
You made a great leap across the ocean south (19)

Durgam Kaaj Jagat Ke Jeete,
Sugam Anugrah Tumhre Te Te (20)

With your grace, tasks all we can now accomplish
Confident of your guidance from start to finish (20)

Ram Duware Tum Rakhavare,
Hot Na Aagya Bin Paisare (21)

At Shri Ram’s abode you stand as sentry
To both guard and guide our blissful entry (21)

Sab Sukh Lahen Tumhari Sarna,
Tum Rakshak Kaahu Ko Darnaa (22)

It is through you we seek happiness divine
Assured in refuge of your protection benign (22)

Aapan Tej Samharo Aapei,
Tanau Lok Hank Te Kanpei (23)

Thunderous power within your store
The three worlds tremble should you roar (23)

Bhoot Pisaach Nikat Nahi Avei,
Mahabir Jab Naam Sunavei (24)

Neither ghost nor demon dare rear its head
Sheer mention of your name they all dread (24)

Nasei Rog Hare Sab Peera,
Japat Niranter Hanumant Beera (25)

Diseases all, pain and sufferings vanish
That regular utterance of Shri Hanuman’s name banish (25)

Sankat Te Hanuman Chhudavei,
Man Kram Bachan Dhyan Jo Lavei (26)

All who remember him in thought, word and deed
With sincerity and faith are in life crises freed (26)

Sub Par Ram Tapasvee Raaja,
T! inke Kaaj Sakal Tum Saaja (27)

And all who Lord Ram worship and hail
You make their tasks easy in their daily trail (27)

Aur Manorath Jo Koi Lave,
Soi Amit Jivan Phal Pave (28)

You bless everyone who seeks your grace
A fruitful long life of happiness to trace (28)

Charo Juung Partap Tumhara,
Hai Parsiddha Jagat Ujiyara (29)

Your glory through the four ages permeates
While your fame in this universe radiates (29)

Sadho Sant Ke Tum Rakhvare,
Asur Nikandan Ram Dulare (30)

As destroyer of demons and protector of saints and sages
You are Shri Ram’s darling through all these ages (30)

Ashta Siddhi Nau Nidhi Ke Data,
Asa Bar Din Janki Mata (31)

Bestowed by Sita Ji with eight yogic powers of stealth
And boons supreme of nine forms of wealth (31)

Ram Rasayan Tumhare Pasa,
Sadaa Raho Raghupati Ke Dasa (32)

The elixir of devotion to Shri Ram within you is for all to see
For blessed are those who thereby become rebirths free (32)

Tumhare Bhajan Ramko Pavei.
Janam Janam Ke Dukh Bisravei (33)

In singing your praise we now Shri Ram find
Who washes away our ignorance that sufferings bind (33)

Anta Kaal Raghuba! r Pur Jai,
Jahan Janma Hari Bhakta Kahai (34)

And even if only at the time of the leveler’s call
To His abode he welcomes before you fall (34)

Aur Devata Chitt Na Dharai,
Hanumant Sei Sarva Sukh Karai (35)

Gods many one need not for security and happiness pray
When in Hanuman Ji’s presence you are rooted firm and stay (35)

Sankat Kate Mitey Sab Peera,
Jo Sumirei Hanumant Balbeera (36)

One is by now freed of all sufferings and pain
When on Shri Hanuman your intellect and mind train (36)

Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai
Kripa Karahu Gurudev Ki Naiee (37)

Hail, hail, hail to Shri Hanuman with all your senses
For He alone you have in all your defences (37)

Jo Sat Baar Paath Kar Koi,
Chhutahi Bandi Maha Sukh Hoi (38)

And so sing the Hanuman Chalisa a hundred times
That you be freed and stay blissful with these chimes (38)

Jo Yah Padhe Hanuman Chalisa,
Hoy Siddhi Sakhi Gaurisa (39)

And those who sing these lines as their daily fare
Come into the embrace of Lord Siva’s care (39)

Tulsidas Sada Hari Chera,
Keeje Nath Hriday Mah Dera (40)

Your humble Tulsidas sincerely prays
That dear Lord Ram in my very heart for eternity stays (40)

Pavan Tanay Sankat Haran , Mangal Murti Roop.
Ram Lakhan Sita Sahit, Hriday Basahu Sur Bhoop.

Oh! Conquerer of the Wind, Destroyer of distress
Thou art a symbol of all things auspicious
With Shri Ram, Lakshman Ji and Sita Ji beside
King of the Gods, forever in my heart reside

Any errors in the translation are entirely mine.