Biography of Hanuman chalisa

 

Significance of Hanuman Chalisa

Hanuman Chalisa is a timeless ode to devotion Lord Hanuman is known for his devotion to Lord Ram and is considered to be the embodiment of faith, surrender, and devotion.  

The 'Hanuman Chalisa' is composed by Saint Goswami Tulsidas, the author of the Tulsi Ramayana (Ramacharitamanasa). It is believed that an ailing Tulsidas composed the Hanuman Chalisa. Composing and singing the praises of Lord Hanuman, helped Tulsidas regain his health.

Composed of 40 verses filled with praises for Lord Hanuman, the Hanuman Chalisa is composed in Avadhi. This dialect of Hindi was spoken in Ayodhya, Lord Rama’s birthplace. 

 

Join a Free workshop on Yoga, Meditation and Breath

Hanuman Chalisa

By Saint Tulsi das

Translated by P. R. Ramachander

Hanuman Chalisa, written by Tulsidas, finds a place in every home where it acts as a panacea for all problems, be they physical, mental or spiritual. It is a prayer addressed To Hanuman, possibly the greatest character Of Ramayana, next only to Rama and Sita.

Lord Hanuman was born to Anjana. He is an incarnation of Lord Shiva and the son of Lord Vayu. As a baby, when his mother advised to him to eat any fruit which is purple, he jumped towards the rising Sun God. Indra hit him with his Vajra to save the sun. Hanuman fell down in a coma. Vayu his father took his child away and hid in a cave. Because of this all beings on the earth, who were depending on Vayu to breath started dying. All the gods entreated Lord Vayu, not to be angry and gave Baby Hanuman, several boons.

Later in life Hanuman became a friend of Sugreeva, the younger brother of Vali. Vali started tormenting Sugreeva due to some misunderstanding. Because of this Sugreeva was forced to hide in Rishya mooka mountains. Sri Rama and Lakshmana reached this mountain in search of Sita who was stolen by Ravana. Hanuman met them and was instrumental in getting a treaty signed between Sri Rama and Sugreeva.

Sri Rama killed Vali and made Sugreeva the king of monkeys. Even at the first meeting Lord Hanuman became charmed by the personality of Sri Rama and became his devotee. As per the treaty, he went in search of Sita, to the south along with a big army of monkeys. He crossed the sea and brought back the news of Sita’s well being to Rama. Later before the war, he requested Rama to have a treaty with Vibheeshana the brother of Ravana.

During the war between Rama and Ravana he played a very major role. When Indrajit, the son of Ravana, killed Lakshmana, he brought the Sanjivini Mountain and saved Lakshmana.

He was considered as a brother by Lord Rama and son by Goddess Sita. It is believed that he is a Chiranjeevi, and is still alive. It is also believed that wherever, the story of Ramayana is told, he would be present in his invisible form to listen to the story.

Saint Thulasi Das who was a great admirer of Hanuman, also wrote these forty verses praising Hanuman and called it “Hanuman Chalisa”. This is possibly the most popular Hindu prayer written in Hindi. Its extreme simplicity makes it dear to every one’s heart.

Sri Guru charana saroja raj,

Nija mana mukura sudhar,

Varanau Raghuvara vimala yasa,

Jo dayaka phala char.

Having cleaned the mirror of my mind,

With the lotus like feet of my teacher,

I describe the unsullied fame of Lord Rama,

Which would give me the four fold wealth.

Budhi heena thanu jaani ke,

Sumeerou pavana kumar,

Bala budhi vidhya dehu moheem,

Harau klesa vikar.

Though I am one without any brain,

I place in my mind, the son of wind,

And pray to him earnestly to give me,

Wisdom, knowledge and strength,

And steal away from me all my miseries.

Jaya Hanuman gnan guna sagara,

Jaya kapeesa thihu loka ujagara., 1

Victory to Hanuman, the sea of wisdom and character,

Victory to the lord of Monkeys,

Whose fame echoes in all the three worlds.

Rama dhootha, athulitha bala dhama,

Anjani puthra pavana sutha nama., 2

You are the emissary of lord Rama,

You are the storehouse of incomparable strength,

You are the son of monkey called Anjani,

And you are also the son of God of wind.

Maha veera vikrama bhaja rangi,

Kumathi nivara sumathi ke sangi., 3

You are the a great valorous hero who worships Rama,

You cure bad characters and is the friend of those who do good,

Kaanchan varna viraja suvesha,

Kannan kundala kunchitha kesa., 4

You are the of golden colour and dress yourself well,

You wear golden ear rings and have curly hair.

Hatha bajra aur thwajaa virajai,

Kanthe munja janehu sajai., 5

You have a flag and thunderbolt in your hands,

You wear sacred thread made of Munja grass,

Shankara suvana,kesari nandana,

Theja prathapa maha jaga vandana., 6

You are the son of Lord Shiva as well as Kesari,

You with your glowing self are saluted by the entire world.

Vidhyavan, gunee athi chathura,

Ram kaaja karibe ko aathura., 7

You are the wise, good and very sharp witted,

You are the anxious to do the work of Rama.

Prabhu charitha sunibhe ko rasiya,

Rama Lakshmana Sita mana basiya., 8

You are ecstasic to hear the history of Rama,

In your mind resides Rama, Lakshmana and Sita.

Sookshma roopa dhari siya him dikhava,

Vikata roopa dhari Lanka jarava., 9

You took a micro form and saved Sita,

You took a fearful form and burnt Lanka.

Bheema roopa dhari asura samhare,

Ramachandra ke kaj sanvare., 10

You took a big macro form for killing asuras,

And completed the task of Ramachandra,

Laaya sanjeevan lashana jiyaye,

Sri Raghuveera harashi ura laye., 11

You saved Lakshmana’s life by Bringing Sanjeevini,

And brought happiness to the hero of Raghu clan,

Raghupathi keeni bahuth badayi,

Thum mama priya hee Bharatha sama bhayi., 12

You were greatly praised by Lord Rama,

And were told, “you too are my brother