Bhakti is not destructible
Ilya Zhuravlev
Hanuman-chalisa is known by heart by many ordinary Indians, it was performed by various Indian singers, such as the recently deceased ‘classical voice of Indian radio’ Hari Om Sharan, Anup Jalota, Tamil singer Subbulakshmi and others. The West came to know it through such legends of American kirtan as Krishna Das and Jai Uttal.
However, the song filled with the spirit of bhakti, love of the Deity and the divine, doesn`t focus on professionalism, but on emotions. Bhakti moves from heart to heart, and if you feel like singing along, if your ‘soul sings ‘, then the bhajan singer knows one`s stuff.
Italian singer Mukandi Lal Provvedi, a follower of a Shaivite teacher Haydakhandi Babaji (the poem mentions that Shiva himself incarnated in the form of Hanuman and thus its repetition is pleasant to Shiva and Parvati) certainly knows his stuff!
Hanuman Сhalisa (Hindi: हनुमान चालीसा ‘Forty poems on Hanuman’) is a devotional song, praising Hanuman, a deity in a shape of a monkey, a companion, assistant and devotee of Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, is written in Awadhi (16th century Hindi) by an Indian poet and philosopher Tulsidas (1532-1624), the author of the poem ‘Ramacharitamanasa’ (‘Lake of the deeds of Rama’). It is very popular among both, the representatives of Vaishnava school -Ramaists, and among Indians in general - many read it as a daily prayer several times a day. It is also often read as an analogue of Puranic and Tantric Kavach - protective hymns. Hanuman Chalisa is the first literary work written in ‘chalisa’ style (chalisa means 40), as it consists of 40 verses, later this technique was used by various authors to compose hymns to other gods: Shiva (Siva-chalisa), Durga (Durga chalisa), Krishna (Krishna- chalisa) and many others - their total number is unknown; authorship of some of these hymns is also attributed to Tulsidas.
Shri Hanuman Chalisa
Shri Guru Charan Saroj Raj
Nij mane mukure sudhar
Varnao Raghuvar Vimal Jasu
Jo dayaku phal char
After cleansing the mirror of my mind with the pollen
dust of holy Guru's Lotus feet. I Profess the pure,
untainted glory of Shri Raghuvar which bestows the four-
fold fruits of life.(Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha).
Budhi Hin Tanu Janike
Sumirau Pavan Kumar
Bal budhi Vidya dehu mohe
Harahu Kalesa Vikar
Fully aware of the deficiency of my intelligence, I
concentrate my attention on Pavan Kumar and humbly
ask for strength, intelligence and true knowledge to
relieve me of all blemishes, causing pain.
Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar
Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar
Victory to thee, O'Hanuman! Ocean of Wisdom-All
hail to you O'Kapisa! (fountain-head of power,wisdom and Shiva-Shakti)
You illuminate all the three worlds (Entire cosmos) with your glory.
Ram doot atulit bal dhama
Anjani-putra Pavan sut nama
You are the divine messenger of Shri Ram. The
repository of immeasurable strength, though known only as Son of Pavan (Wind), born of Anjani.
Mahavir Vikram Bajrangi
Kumati nivar sumati Ke sangi
With Limbs as sturdy as Vajra (The mace of God Indra)
you are valiant and brave. On you attends good Sense and Wisdom.
You dispel the darkness of evil thoughts.
Kanchan varan viraj subesa
Kanan Kundal Kunchit Kesa
Your physique is beautiful golden coloured and your dress
is pretty. You wear ear rings and have long curly hair.
Hath Vajra Aur Dhuvaje Viraje
Kandhe moonj janehu sajai
You carry in your hand a lightening bolt along with a victory
(kesari) flag and wear the sacred thread on your shoulder.
Sankar suvan kesri Nandan
Tej pratap maha jag vandan
As a descendant of Lord Sankar, you are a comfort and pride
of Shri Kesari. With the lustre of your Vast Sway, you are propitiated all over the universe.
Vidyavan guni ati chatur
Ram kaj karibe ko aatur
You are the repository of learning, virtuous and fully accomplished,
always keen to carry out the behest's of Shri Ram.
Prabu charitra sunibe ko rasiya
Ram Lakhan Sita man Basiya
You are an ardent listener, always so keen to listen to the
narration of Shri Ram's Life Stories.
Your heart is filled with what Shri Ram stood for.
You therefore always dwell in the hearts of Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita.
Sukshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhava
Vikat roop dhari lanka jarava
You appeared before Sita in a Diminutive form and spoke to
her in humility. You assumed an awesome form and struck terror by setting Lanka on fire.
Bhima roop dhari asur sanghare
Ramachandra ke kaj sanvare
With over-whelming might you destroyed the Asuras
(demons) and performed all tasks assigned to you by Shri Ram with great skill.
Laye Sanjivan Lakhan Jiyaye
Shri Raghuvir Harashi ur laye
You brought Sanjivan (A herb that revives life) and restored
Lakshman back to life, Shri Raghuvir (Shri Ram)
cheerfully embraced you with his heart full of joy.
Raghupati Kinhi bahut badai
Tum mam priye Bharat-hi sam bhai
Shri Raghupati (Shri Ram) lustily extolled your excellence and
said: "You are as dear to me as my own brother Bharat."
Sahas badan tumharo yash gaave
Us kahi Shripati kanth lagaave
Thousands of living beings are chanting hymns of your glories;
saying thus, Shri Ram warmly hugged him (Shri Hanuman).
Sankadik Brahmadi Muneesa
Narad Sarad sahit Aheesa
When prophets like Sanka, even the Sage like Lord Brahma,
the great hermit Narad himself, Goddess Saraswati and Ahisha
(one of immeasurable dimensions).
Yam Kuber Digpal Jahan te
Kavi kovid kahi sake kahan te
Even Yamraj (God of Death) Kuber (God of Wealth) and the
Digpals (deputies guarding the four corners of the Universe)
have been vying with one another in offering homage to your glories.
How then, can a mere poet give adequate expression of your super excellence.
Tum upkar Sugreevahin keenha
Ram milaye rajpad deenha
Tumharo mantra Vibheeshan mana
Lankeshwar Bhaye Sub jag jana
You rendered a great service to Sugriv. You united him with
Shri Ram and he installed him on the Royal Throne. By heeding
your advice, Vibhishan became Lord of Lanka. This is known
all over the Universe.
Yug sahastra jojan par Bhanu
Leelyo tahi madhur phal janu
On your own you dashed upon the Sun, which is at a fabulous
distance of thousands of miles, thinking it to be a sweet luscious fruit.
Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahee
Jaladhi langhi gaye achraj nahee
Carrying the Lord's Signet Ring in your mouth, there is
hardly any wonder that you easily leapt across the ocean.
Durgaam kaj jagat ke jete
Sugam anugraha tumhre tete
The burden of all difficult tasks of the world become light
with your kind grace.
Ram dware tum rakhvare,
Hoat na agya binu paisare
You are the sentry at the door of Shri Ram's Divine Abode.
No one can enter it without your permission,
Sub sukh lahai tumhari sarna
Tum rakshak kahu ko dar na
All comforts of the world lie at your feet. The devotees enjoy all
divine pleasures and feel fearless under your benign Protection.
Aapan tej samharo aapai
Teenhon lok hank te kanpai
You alone are befitted to carry your own splendid valour. All the
three worlds (entire universe) tremor at your thunderous call.<
Bhoot pisach Nikat nahin aavai
Mahavir jab naam sunavai
All the ghosts, demons and evil forces keep away, with the
sheer mention of your great name, O'Mahaveer!!
Nase rog harai sab peera
Japat nirantar Hanumant beera
All diseases, pain and suffering disappear on reciting regularly
Shri Hanuman's holy name.
Sankat se Hanuman chudavai
Man Karam Vachan dyan jo lavai
Those who remember Shri Hanuman in thought, words and deeds
with Sincerity and Faith, are rescued from all crises in life.
Sub par Ram tapasvee raja
Tin ke kaj sakal Tum saja
All who hail, worship and have faith in Shri Ram as the Supreme
Lord and the king of penance. You make all their difficult tasks very easy.
Aur manorath jo koi lavai
Sohi amit jeevan phal pavai
Whosoever comes to you for fulfillment of any desire with faith
and sincerity, Will he alone secure the imperishable fruit of human life.
Charon Yug partap tumhara
Hai persidh jagat ujiyara
All through the four ages your magnificent glory is acclaimed far
and wide. Your fame is Radiantly acclaimed all over the Cosmos.
Sadhu Sant ke tum Rakhware
Asur nikandan Ram dulhare
You are Saviour and the guardian angel of Saints and Sages and
destroy all Demons. You are the angelic darling of Shri Ram.
Ashta sidhi nav nidhi ke dhata
Us var deen Janki mata
You can grant to any one, any yogic power of Eight Siddhis
(power to become light and heavy at will) and Nine Nidhis
(Riches,comfort,power,prestige,fame,sweet relationship etc.)
This boon has been conferred upon you by Mother Janki.
Ram rasayan tumhare pasa
Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa
You possess the power of devotion to Shri Ram. In all rebirths
you will always remain Shri Raghupati's most dedicated disciple.
Tumhare bhajan Ram ko pavai
Janam janam ke dukh bisravai
Through hymns sung in devotion to you, one can find Shri Ram
and become free from sufferings of several births.
Anth kaal Raghuvir pur jayee
Jahan janam Hari-Bakht Kahayee
If at the time of death one enters the Divine Abode of Shri Ram,
thereafter in all future births he is born as the Lord's devotee.
Aur Devta Chit na dharehi
Hanumanth se hi sarve sukh karehi
One need not entertain any other deity for Propitiation, as
devotion of Shri Hanuman alone can give all happiness.
Sankat kate mite sab peera
Jo sumirai Hanumat Balbeera
One is freed from all the sufferings and ill fated contingencies of
rebirths in the world. One who adores and remembers Shri Hanuman.
Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosahin
Kripa Karahu Gurudev ki nyahin
Hail, Hail, Hail, Shri Hanuman, Lord of senses. Let your victory
over the evil be firm and final. Bless me in the capacity as my supreme guru (teacher).
Jo sat bar path kare kohi
Chutehi bandhi maha sukh hohi
One who recites Chalisa one hundred times, becomes free from the
bondage of life and death and enjoys the highest bliss at last.
Jo yah padhe Hanuman Chalisa
Hoye siddhi sakhi Gaureesa
All those who recite Hanuman Chalisa (The forty Chaupais)
regularly are sure to be benedicted.
Such is the evidence of no less a witness as Bhagwan Sankar.
Tulsidas sada hari chera
Keejai Das Hrdaye mein dera
Tulsidas as a bonded slave of the Divine Master, stays perpetually at
his feet, he prays "Oh Lord! You enshrine within my heart & soul."
Pavantnai sankar haran,
Mangal murti roop.
Ram Lakhan Sita sahit,
Hrdaye basahu sur bhoop.
Oh! conqueror of the Wind, Destroyer of all miseries, you are a
symbol of Auspiciousness.
Along with Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita, reside in my heart.
Oh! King of Gods.
English translation of Hanuman Chalisa from website Shiv Shakti Mandir (Mauritius)
mahadev108