The Shri Shiva Chalisa is a revered 40-verse hymn dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hinduism. As part of the divine trinity (Trimurti), Lord Shiva is known as the destroyer of evil and the transformer of the universe. This powerful prayer, composed by Ayodhyadas, is recited by millions of devotees to seek the grace of Mahadev, overcome fears, and attain spiritual peace and prosperity.
This guide provides the complete lyrics of the Shiva Chalisa in both Hindi (Devanagari) and English (IAST transliteration), followed by a detailed verse-by-verse meaning and commentary to illuminate the profound symbolism and glory of Lord Shiva.
Benefits of Chanting the Shiva Chalisa
Chanting the Shiva Chalisa with a pure heart and sincere devotion is believed to grant numerous blessings. The key benefits include:
- Removal of Obstacles and Suffering: Lord Shiva is the Sankat Nashan (destroyer of troubles) and Vighna Vinashan (remover of obstacles). Regular recitation helps clear the path of difficulties in life.
- Overcoming Fear of Death: As Mahakaleshwar (the Lord of Time and Death), Shiva grants freedom from the fear of mortality and helps the soul achieve a peaceful transition.
- Health and Well-being: The hymn is known to alleviate physical and mental afflictions. It is believed that its vibrations can help cure diseases and promote a long, healthy life.
- Spiritual Growth: Meditating on Lord Shiva through the Chalisa helps in controlling the mind, conquering negative qualities like anger and greed, and advancing on the path of yoga and self-realization.
- Fulfillment of Wishes: Lord Shiva is also known as Bholenath (the easily pleased lord) because he is easily pleased. Sincere prayer is said to result in the fulfillment of righteous desires and the attainment of wealth and prosperity.
Full Lyrics: Shri Shiva Chalisa
Here is the complete text of the hymn in Devanagari and English transliteration.
Doha (Introductory Couplet)
जय गणेश गिरिजा सुवन, मंगल मूल सुजान। कहत अयोध्यादास तुम, देहु अभय वरदान॥ Jaya Gaṇeśa Girijā suvana, maṅgala mūla sujāna. Kahata Ayodhyādāsa tuma, dehu abhaya varadāna.
Chaupai (40 Verses)
(Full text of all 40 Chaupais follows in the verse-by-verse section below)
Doha (Concluding Couplet)
नित्त नेम कर प्रातः ही, पाठ करौं चालीसा। तुम मेरी मनोकामना, पूर्ण करो जगदीश॥ Nitta nema kara prātaḥ hī, pāṭha karauṁ cālīsā.Tuma merī manokāmanā, pūrṇa karo jagadīśa.
मगसर छठि हेमन्त ॠतु, संवत चौसठ जान। अस्तुति चालीसा शिवहि, पूर्ण कीन कल्याण॥ Magasara chaṭhi hemanta ṛtu, sanvata causaṭha jāna. Astuti cālīsā śivahi, pūrṇa kīna kalyāṇa.
Verse-by-Verse Meaning and Commentary
Doha (Introductory Couplet)
जय गणेश गिरिजा सुवन, मंगल मूल सुजान। कहत अयोध्यादास तुम, देहु अभय वरदान॥
Jaya Gaṇeśa Girijā suvana, maṅgala mūla sujāna. Kahata Ayodhyādāsa tuma, dehu abhaya varadāna.
- Meaning: Victory to Lord Ganesha, son of Girija, who is the root of all that is auspicious and wise. The author, Ayodhyadas, says, “O Lord, please grant me the boon of fearlessness.”
- Commentary: The prayer traditionally begins by invoking Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles. The author then introduces himself and states the primary purpose of the prayer: to attain fearlessness through Lord Shiva’s grace.
Chaupai (Main Verses)
Verse 1:
जय गिरिजा पति दीन दयाला। सदा करत सन्तन प्रतिपाला॥ Jaya girijā pati dīna dayālā. Sadā karata santana pratipālā.
- Meaning: Victory to you, O husband of Girija, compassionate to the humble. You always protect the saints.
- Commentary: This establishes Shiva’s core attributes: his role as a consort to the divine mother (Parvati) and his compassionate nature as a protector of the righteous and the downtrodden.
Verse 2:
भाल चन्द्रमा सोहत नीके। कानन कुण्डल नागफनी के॥ Bhāla candramā sohata nīke. Kānana kuṇḍala nāgaphanī ke.
- Meaning: The crescent moon on your forehead is beautiful, and in your ears are earrings made of cobras.
- Commentary: This begins the description of Shiva’s iconic form. The crescent moon symbolizes control over time, while the serpents represent mastery over primal life energy and the ego.
Verse 3:
अंग गौर शिर गंग बहाये। मुण्डमाल तन क्षार लगाए॥ Aṅga gaura śira gaṅga bahāye. Muṇḍamāla tana kṣāra lagāe.
- Meaning: Your body is fair, the river Ganga flows from your matted locks, and you wear a garland of skulls, with sacred ash smeared on your body.
- Commentary: The Ganga represents purity, the skulls symbolize mastery over death and time, and the ash (vibhuti) signifies detachment from worldly illusions.
Verse 4:
वस्त्र खाल बाघम्बर सोहे। छवि को देखि नाग मन मोहे॥ Vastra khāla bāghambara sohai. Chavi ko dekhi nāga mana mohai.
- Meaning: You are adorned with the skin of a tiger, a sight that captivates even the serpents.
- Commentary: The tiger skin symbolizes victory over all forces of nature and desire. Shiva’s divine form is so enchanting that it mesmerizes all beings, even the serpents that adorn him.
Verse 5:
मैना मातु की हवे दुलारी। बाम अंग सोहत छवि न्यारी॥ Mainā mātu kī have dulārī. Bāma aṅga sohata chavi nyārī.
- Meaning: The beloved daughter of Queen Maina (Parvati) looks beautiful on your left side, creating a unique image.
- Commentary: This refers to the Ardhanarishvara form, where Shiva and Parvati are represented as a single entity, symbolizing the inseparable union of masculine (consciousness) and feminine (energy) cosmic forces.
Verse 6:
कर त्रिशूल सोहत छवि भारी। करत सदा शत्रुन क्षयकारी॥ Kara triśūla sohata chavi bhārī. Karata sadā śatruna kṣayakārī.
- Meaning: A trident in your hand looks magnificent, with which you always destroy enemies.
- Commentary: The Trishula (trident) represents Shiva’s power over the three fundamental qualities (gunas): sattva, rajas, and tamas, and his ability to destroy evil in the physical, subtle, and causal worlds.
Verse 7:
नन्दि गणेश सोहै तहँ कैसे। सागर मध्य कमल हैं जैसे॥ Nandi gaṇeśa sohai taham̐ kaise. Sāgara madhya kamala haiṁ jaise.
- Meaning: Nandi (the bull) and Ganesha look as beautiful beside you as lotuses in the middle of the ocean.
- Commentary: This beautiful simile describes the divine harmony of Shiva’s family, where his loyal mount and beloved son add to the serene and perfect cosmic picture.
Verse 8:
कार्तिक श्याम और गणराऊ। या छवि को कहि जात न काऊ॥ Kārtika śyāma aura gaṇarāū. Yā chavi ko kahi jāta na kāū.
- Meaning: Kartikeya, the dark-complexioned Ganas—this divine image is beyond description.
- Commentary: The poet admits that the full glory of Shiva surrounded by his divine attendants is ineffable and cannot be fully captured by words.
Verse 9:
देवन जबहीं जाय पुकारा। तब ही दुख प्रभु आप निवारा॥ Devana jabahīṁ jāya pukārā. Taba hī dukha prabhu āpa nivārā.
- Meaning: Whenever the gods came to you in distress, you, O Lord, immediately alleviated their suffering.
- Commentary: This introduces Shiva as the ultimate savior, the one whom even the celestial beings turn to in times of cosmic crisis.
Verse 10:
किया उपद्रव तारक भारी। देवन सब मिलि तुमहिं जुहारी॥ Kiyā upadrava tāraka bhārī. Devana saba mili tumahiṁ juhārī.
- Meaning: When the demon Tarakasura caused great havoc, all the gods came together to plead with you.
- Commentary: The story of Tarakasura, a demon who could only be killed by a son of Shiva, is a major Puranic event. The gods’ plea led to the circumstances of Kartikeya’s birth.
Verse 11:
तुरत षडानन आप पठायउ। लवनिमेष महँ मारि गिरायउ॥ Turata ṣaḍānana āpa paṭhāyau. Lavanimeṣa maham̐ māri girāyau.
- Meaning: You immediately sent your six-headed son (Kartikeya), who slew the demon in the blink of an eye.
- Commentary: This highlights Shiva’s power acting through his progeny. Shadanana (Kartikeya) was born specifically for this divine purpose, fulfilling the boon and restoring cosmic order.
Verse 12:
आप जलंधर असुर संहारा। सुयश तुम्हार विदित संसारा॥ Āpa jalandhara asura sanhārā. Suyaśa tumhāra vidita sansārā.
- Meaning: You yourself slayed the demon Jalandhara. Your glory is known throughout the universe.
- Commentary: This refers to another epic battle where Shiva defeated a powerful demon born from his own fiery third eye, reinforcing his role as the ultimate destroyer of evil.
Verse 13:
त्रिपुरासुर सन युद्ध मचाई। सबहिं कृपा कर लीन बचाई॥ Tripurāsura sana yud`dha macāī. Sabahiṁ kṛpā kara līna bacāī.
- Meaning: You fought and destroyed the demon Tripurasura, and by your grace, you saved everyone.
- Commentary: As Tripurantaka, the destroyer of the three demon cities of Tripura, Shiva annihilated a great evil that threatened the entire cosmos, saving all beings with a single arrow.
Verse 14:
किया तपहिं भागीरथ भारी। पुरब प्रतिज्ञा तासु पुरारी॥ Kiyā tapahiṁ bhāgīratha bhārī. Puraba pratijñā tāsu purārī.
- Meaning: King Bhagiratha performed severe penance, and you, O destroyer of cities, fulfilled his ancient vow.
- Commentary: This refers to the story of the descent of the Ganga. Shiva caught the torrential celestial river in his matted locks to prevent it from shattering the Earth, allowing it to flow gently and purify the ancestors of Bhagiratha.
Verse 15:
दानिन महँ तुम सम कोउ नाहीं। सेवक स्तुति करत सदाहीं॥ Dānina maham̐ tuma sama kou nāhīṁ. Sevaka stuti karata sadāhīṁ.
- Meaning: Among donors, there is none equal to you. Your devotees always sing your praises.
- Commentary: Shiva is known as “Bholenath,” the easily pleased lord who grants boons readily to his devotees, making him the greatest of all givers.
Verse 16:
वेद नाम महिमा तव गाई। अकथ अनादि भेद नहिं पाई॥ Veda nāma mahimā tava gāī. Akatha anādi bheda nahiṁ pāī.
- Meaning: The Vedas sing of your glory. Your nature is ineffable and eternal; your mystery cannot be fathomed.
- Commentary: The poet acknowledges that Shiva’s true nature is beyond human comprehension, a primordial, formless reality (Nirguna Brahman) that even the sacred Vedas can only hint at.
Verse 17:
प्रकटी उदधि मंथन में ज्वाला। जरत सुरासुर भए विहाला॥ Prakaṭī udadhi manthana meṁ jvālā. Jarata surāsura bhae vihālā.
- Meaning: During the churning of the ocean, a terrible poison (Halahala) emerged. The gods and demons were tormented by its flames.
- Commentary: This refers to the Samudra Manthan episode, where the deadly Halahala poison threatened to destroy all creation.
Verse 18:
कीन्ही दया तहं करी सहाई। नीलकण्ठ तब नाम कहाई॥ Kīnhī dayā tahaṁ karī sahāī. Nīlakaṇṭha taba nāma kahāī.
- Meaning: You showed compassion and helped them by drinking the poison, which is why you are called Neelkanth (The one with the blue throat).
- Commentary: In an ultimate act of self-sacrifice to save the world, Shiva consumed the poison, which Parvati stopped in his throat, turning it blue. This act demonstrates his supreme compassion.
Verse 19:
पूजन रामचन्द्र जब कीन्हा। जीत के लंक विभीषण दीन्हा॥ Pūjana rāmacandra jaba kīnhā. Jīta ke laṅka vibhīṣaṇa dīnhā.
- Meaning: When Lord Ramachandra worshipped you, he was able to conquer Lanka and give the kingdom to Vibhishana.
- Commentary: This connects the Shaivite and Vaishnavite traditions, showing that even Lord Vishnu’s avatar, Rama, worshipped Shiva to gain the power needed to defeat Ravana.
Verse 20:
सहस कमल में हो रहे धारी। कीन्ह परीक्षा तबहिं पुरारी॥ Sahasa kamala meṁ ho rahe dhārī. Kīnha parīkṣā tabahiṁ purārī.
- Meaning: He was offering a thousand lotuses, and to test him, you, the destroyer of cities, hid one.
- Commentary: This is a famous story of devotion. To test Rama, Shiva hid one of the 1000 lotus flowers Rama was offering.
Verse 21:
एक कमल प्रभु राखेउ जोई। कमल नयन पूजन चहं सोई॥ Eka kamala prabhu rākheu joī. Kamala nayana pūjana chahaṁ soī.
- Meaning: The one lotus that you hid, the lotus-eyed Lord (Rama) wished to replace with his own eye.
- Commentary: Finding himself one flower short, Rama, who is known as “Kamala Nayan” (lotus-eyed), prepared to offer one of his own eyes to complete the worship, demonstrating the highest level of devotion.
Verse 22:
कठिन भक्ति देखी प्रभु शंकर। भए प्रसन्न दिए इच्छित वर॥ Kaṭhina bhakti dekhī prabhu śaṅkara. Bhae prasanna die icchita vara.
- Meaning: Seeing such profound devotion, Lord Shankar, you were pleased and granted him his desired boon.
- Commentary: Pleased by this ultimate act of faith, Shiva appeared, restored the flower, and granted Rama the boon of victory over Ravana.
Verse 23:
जय जय जय अनन्त अविनाशी। करत कृपा सब के घटवासी॥ Jaya jaya jaya ananta avināśī. Karata kṛpā saba ke ghaṭavāsī.
- Meaning: Victory, victory, victory to you, O infinite and indestructible Lord! You reside in the hearts of all and bestow your grace upon them.
- Commentary: The hymn shifts from narrating Shiva’s deeds to direct praise, acknowledging him as the eternal, omnipresent consciousness that resides within every living being.
Verse 24:
दुष्ट सकल नित मोहि सतावै। भ्रमत रहौं मोहि चैन न आवै॥ Duṣṭa sakala nita mohi satāvai. Bhramata rahaum̐ mohi caina na āvai.
- Meaning: Evil tendencies constantly torment me; I keep wandering and find no peace.
- Commentary: The prayer now becomes personal, as the devotee brings their own internal struggles—the “evil tendencies” of lust, anger, greed—to the Lord.
Verse 25:
त्राहि त्राहि मैं नाथ पुकारो। येहि अवसर मोहि आन उबारो॥ Trāhi trāhi maiṁ nātha pukāro. Yehi avasara mohi āna ubāro.
- Meaning: I cry out, “Save me, save me, O Lord!” In this moment of crisis, please come and rescue me.
- Commentary: This is a desperate plea for divine intervention, a call for help when self-effort has failed.
Verse 26:
लै त्रिशूल शत्रुन को मारो। संकट से मोहि आन उबारो॥ Lai triśūla śatruna ko māro. Saṅkaṭa se mohi āna ubāro.
- Meaning: Take your trident and destroy my enemies and rescue me from this distress.
- Commentary: The devotee asks Shiva to destroy both internal enemies (negative thoughts) and external ones (life’s adversities).
Verse 27:
मात-पिता भ्राता सब होई। संकट में पूछत नहिं कोई॥ Māta-pitā bhrātā saba hoī. Saṅkaṭa meṁ pūchata nahiṁ koī.
- Meaning: Mother, father, brother—all are there, but in times of deep trouble, no one asks after me.
- Commentary: This expresses a feeling of ultimate loneliness in suffering, where worldly relationships fail to provide true solace, leading the devotee to their only true refuge.
Verse 28:
स्वामी एक है आस तुम्हारी। आय हरहु मम संकट भारी॥ Svāmī eka hai āsa tumhārī. Āya harahu mama saṅkaṭa bhārī.
- Meaning: O Lord, you are my only hope. Please come and remove my grave suffering.
- Commentary: Having recognized the limitations of worldly support, the devotee places all their hope and faith in the one true master, Lord Shiva.
Verse 29:
धन निर्धन को देत सदा हीं। जो कोई जांचे सो फल पाहीं॥ Dhana nirdhana ko deta sadā hīṁ. Jo koī jān̐ce so phala pāhīṁ.
- Meaning: You always give wealth to the poor. Whoever asks anything of you receives that fruit.
- Commentary: This reaffirms faith in Shiva’s generosity, believing that no sincere prayer goes unanswered.
Verse 30:
अस्तुति केहि विधि करैं तुम्हारी। क्षमहु नाथ अब चूक हमारी॥ Astuti kehi vidhi karaiṁ tumhārī. Kṣamahu nātha aba cūka hamārī.
- Meaning: In what way can I truly praise you? O Lord, please forgive my shortcomings.
- Commentary: The devotee acknowledges the inadequacy of their words to capture Shiva’s infinite glory and humbly asks for forgiveness for any errors in their worship.
Verse 31:
शंकर हो संकट के नाशन। मंगल कारण विघ्न विनाशन॥ Śaṅkara ho saṅkaṭa ke nāśana. Maṅgala kāraṇa vighna vināśana.
- Meaning: O Shankar, you are the destroyer of distress, the cause of all auspiciousness, and the remover of obstacles.
- Commentary: This verse is a powerful summary of Shiva’s benevolent functions: he removes problems, brings good fortune, and clears the path of obstacles.
Verse 32:
योगी यति मुनि ध्यान लगावैं। शारद नारद शीश नवावैं॥ Yogī yati muni dhyāna lagāvaiṁ. Śārada nārada śīśa navāvaiṁ.
- Meaning: Yogis, ascetics, and sages meditate on you. Saraswati and Narada bow their heads to you.
- Commentary: This illustrates Shiva’s supreme stature. He is the object of meditation for the greatest yogis and is revered by other major celestial beings.
Verse 33:
नमो नमो जय नमः शिवाय। सुर ब्रह्मादिक पार न पाय॥ Namo namo jaya namaḥ śivāya. Sura brahmādika pāra na pāya.
- Meaning: Salutations, victory, and salutations to you, Shiva. Even gods like Brahma cannot comprehend your full glory.
- Commentary: A final declaration of surrender and praise, reiterating that Shiva’s ultimate nature is beyond the comprehension of even the highest gods.
Verse 34:
जो यह पाठ करे मन लाई। ता पर होत है शम्भु सहाई॥ Jo yaha pāṭha kare mana lāī. Tā para hota hai śambhu sahāī.
- Meaning: Whoever recites this prayer with devotion, Lord Shambhu becomes their helper.
- Commentary: This and the following verses describe the benefits (Phalashruti) of reciting the Chalisa, promising divine assistance to the faithful.
Verse 35:
ॠनियां जो कोई हो अधिकारी। पाठ करे सो पावन हारी॥ Ṛniyāṁ jo koī ho adhikārī. Pāṭha kare so pāvana hārī.
- Meaning: Whoever is in debt and recites this prayer will be relieved of their burden.
- Commentary: The blessings are practical, extending to the relief of material and karmic debts.
Verse 36:
पुत्र हीन कर इच्छा जोई। निश्चय शिव प्रसाद तेहि होई॥ Putra hīna kara icchā joī. Niścaya śiva prasāda tehi hoī.
- Meaning: Whoever is childless and holds that desire will surely be blessed with a child by the grace of Shiva.
- Commentary: A specific promise is made to those desiring progeny, a common prayer in Hindu tradition.
Verse 37:
पण्डित त्रयोदशी को लावे। ध्यान पूर्वक होम करावे॥ Paṇḍita trayodaśī ko lāve. Dhyāna pūrvaka homa karāve.
- Meaning: On the Trayodashi (13th day of the lunar cycle), one should invite a pandit and devotedly perform a sacred fire ceremony (homa).
- Commentary: The text recommends specific rituals, like a homa on Trayodashi (a day sacred to Shiva), to enhance the prayer’s efficacy.
Verse 38:
त्रयोदशी व्रत करै हमेशा। ताके तन नहीं रहै कलेशा॥ Trayodaśī vrata karai hameśā. Tāke tana nahīṁ rahai kaleśā.
- Meaning: Whoever always observes the Trayodashi fast will be free from bodily afflictions.
- Commentary: Fasting on this sacred day is prescribed as a means to attain physical health and well-being.
Verse 39:
धूप दीप नैवेद्य चढ़ावे। शंकर सम्मुख पाठ सुनावे॥ Dhūpa dīpa naivedya caṛhāve. Śaṅkara sammukha pāṭha sunāve.
- Meaning: One who offers incense, a lamp, and food, and recites this prayer before Lord Shankar…
- Commentary: These lines describe the simple yet profound acts of devotional worship (puja) that should accompany the recitation.
Verse 40:
जन्म जन्म के पाप नसावे। अन्त धाम शिवपुर में पावे॥ Janma janma ke pāpa nasāve. Anta dhāma śivapura meṁ pāve.
- Meaning: …will have the sins of many lifetimes destroyed and, in the end, will attain Shivpur (the abode of Shiva).
- Commentary: The ultimate fruits of devotion are promised: the cleansing of past karmas and the attainment of liberation or union with the divine after life.
Doha (Concluding Couplet)
नित्त नेम कर प्रातः ही, पाठ करौं चालीसा। तुम मेरी मनोकामना, पूर्ण करो जगदीश॥ Nitta nema kara prātaḥ hī, pāṭha karauṁ cālīsā. Tuma merī manokāmanā, pūrṇa karo jagadīśa.
- Meaning: Making it a daily rule, I will recite this Chalisa in the morning. O Lord of the Universe, please fulfill my desires.
- Commentary: This is a vow of devotion from the devotee, promising regular recitation and asking for the fulfillment of their wishes.
मगसर छठि हेमन्त ॠतु, संवत चौसठ जान। अस्तुति चालीसा शिवहि, पूर्ण कीन कल्याण॥ Magasara chaṭhi hemanta ṛtu, sanvata causaṭha jāna. Astuti cālīsā śivahi, pūrṇa kīna kalyāṇa.
- Meaning: In the year sixty-four of the Samvat calendar, on the sixth day of the month of Magsar in the Hemant season, this Chalisa of praise to Shiva was completed for the welfare of all.
- Commentary: This is a colophon, a traditional note by the author stating when the work was completed and dedicating it to the benefit of all humanity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Who wrote the Shiva Chalisa? The Shri Shiva Chalisa was composed by Ayodhyadas, a devout follower of Lord Shiva. The final verse of the Chaupai and the first concluding Doha mention his name.
- What is the best day to recite the Shiva Chalisa? While it can be recited daily, Monday is considered the most auspicious day to worship Lord Shiva. Chanting the Chalisa on Mondays or during the holy month of Shravan is believed to be especially powerful.
- What is the meaning of “Neelkanth”? Neelkanth means “The one with the blue throat.” This name was given to Lord Shiva after he drank the Halahala poison that emerged during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) to save the world. The poison was so potent that it turned his throat blue.