शिव चालीसा
Shiv Chalisa
Composed by Traditional · All Chalisas
The Shiv Chalisa is a forty-verse devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Shiva — Mahadeva, the auspicious one, destroyer of ignorance, beloved of Parvati, source of yoga itself. It is recited on Mondays (Somvar), during the holy month of Shravan, and on Maha Shivratri.
Among the Hindu trimurti, Shiva is the principle of dissolution — but also of transformation. Devotees recite the Shiv Chalisa not just for worldly relief, but to dissolve the inner blocks that keep the seeker stuck: ahankāra (ego), moha (delusion), and the unconscious patterns inherited from past karmas.
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Opening Doha
Doha 1
जय गणेश गिरिजा सुवन, मंगल मूल सुजान।
कहत अयोध्यादास तुम, देहु अभय वरदान॥
Jai Ganesh Girija suvan, mangal mool sujan.
Kahat Ayodhyadas tum, dehu abhaya vardaan.
Victory to Ganesha, son of Girija and source of auspicious wisdom. Ayodhyadas prays: grant me the boon of fearlessness.
Chaupais (40)
Chaupai 1
जय गिरिजापति दीनदयाला।
सदा करत सन्तन प्रतिपाला॥
Jai Girijapati deen-dayala.
Sada karat santan pratipala.
Victory to the compassionate Lord of Girija, who always protects saints and devotees.
Chaupai 2
भाल चन्द्रमा सोहत नीके।
कानन कुण्डल नागफनी के॥
Bhal chandrama sohat neeke.
Kanan kundal nagphani ke.
The moon shines beautifully on your forehead, with serpent-like earrings adorning your ears.
Chaupai 3
अंग गौर शिर गंग बहाये।
मुण्डमाल तन क्षार लगाए॥
Ang gaur shir Gang bahaye.
Mundamal tan kshar lagaye.
Your fair body bears the Ganga on your head; a garland of skulls and sacred ash adorn you.
Chaupai 4
वस्त्र खाल बाघम्बर सोहे।
छवि को देखि नाग मन मोहे॥
Vastra khal baghambar sohe.
Chhavi ko dekhi nag man mohe.
Tiger skin forms your garment, and even serpents are enchanted by your form.
Chaupai 5
मैना मातु की हवे दुलारी।
बाम अंग सोहत छवि न्यारी॥
Maina matu ki have dulari.
Baam ang sohat chhavi nyari.
Parvati, beloved daughter of Maina, shines at your left side in wondrous beauty.
Chaupai 6
कर त्रिशूल सोहत छवि भारी।
करत सदा शत्रुन क्षयकारी॥
Kar trishool sohat chhavi bhari.
Karat sada shatrun kshaykari.
The trident in your hand shines with power and always destroys hostile forces.
Chaupai 7
नन्दि गणेश सोहैं तहँ कैसे।
सागर मध्य कमल हैं जैसे॥
Nandi Ganesh sohain tahan kaise.
Sagar madhya kamal hain jaise.
Nandi and Ganesha shine near you like lotuses blooming in the middle of an ocean.
Chaupai 8
कार्तिक श्याम और गणराऊ।
या छवि को कहि जात न काऊ॥
Kartik Shyam aur ganarau.
Ya chhavi ko kahi jat na kau.
Kartikeya and the hosts attend you; this divine sight cannot be adequately described.
Chaupai 9
देवन जबहीं जाय पुकारा।
तबही दुख प्रभु आप निवारा॥
Devan jabahin jay pukara.
Tabahi dukh Prabhu aap nivara.
Whenever the gods cried out to you, Lord, you immediately removed their distress.
Chaupai 10
किया उपद्रव तारक भारी।
देवन सब मिलि तुम्हिं जुहारी॥
Kiya upadrav Tarak bhari.
Devan sab mili tumhin juhari.
When Tarakasura caused great havoc, all the gods joined together and appealed to you.
Chaupai 11
तुरत षडानन आप पठायउ।
लवनिमेष महँ मारि गिरायउ॥
Turat Shadanana aap pathayau.
Lava-nimesh mahan mari girayau.
You quickly sent six-faced Kartikeya, who struck him down in a moment.
Chaupai 12
आप जलंधर असुर संहारा।
सुयश तुम्हार विदित संसारा॥
Aap Jalandhar asur sanhara.
Suyash tumhar vidit sansara.
You yourself destroyed the demon Jalandhara; your noble fame is known throughout the world.
Chaupai 13
त्रिपुरासुर सन युद्ध मचाई।
सबहिं कृपा कर लीन बचाई॥
Tripurasur san yuddh machai.
Sabahin kripa kar leen bachai.
You waged battle against Tripurasura and, through grace, saved everyone.
Chaupai 14
किया तपहिं भागीरथ भारी।
पुरब प्रतिज्ञा तासु पुरारी॥
Kiya tapahin Bhagirath bhari.
Purab pratigya tasu Purari.
When Bhagiratha performed great austerity, O Purari, you fulfilled the ancient vow.
Chaupai 15
दानिन महँ तुम सम कोउ नाहीं।
सेवक स्तुति करत सदाहीं॥
Danin mahan tum sam kou nahin.
Sevak stuti karat sadahin.
Among givers none equals you; your servants therefore praise you constantly.
Chaupai 16
वेद माहि महिमा तुम गाई।
अकथ अनादि भेद नहिं पाई॥
Ved mahi mahima tum gai.
Akath anadi bhed nahin pai.
The Vedas sing your glory, yet your beginningless mystery remains beyond speech.
Chaupai 17
प्रकटी उदधि मंथन में ज्वाला।
जरत सुरासुर भए विहाला॥
Prakati udadhi manthan men jwala.
Jarat surasur bhaye vihala.
When the ocean churning produced the blazing poison, gods and demons were overwhelmed.
Chaupai 18
कीन्ही दया तहं करी सहाई।
नीलकण्ठ तब नाम कहाई॥
Kinhi daya tahan kari sahai.
Neelkanth tab naam kahai.
You showed compassion and helped them; from then you were called Neelkanth.
Chaupai 19
पूजन रामचन्द्र जब कीन्हा।
जीत के लंक विभीषण दीन्हा॥
Poojan Ramchandra jab kinha.
Jeet ke Lank Vibhishan dinha.
When Rama worshipped you, he won Lanka and gave its kingdom to Vibhishana.
Chaupai 20
सहस कमल में हो रहे धारी।
कीन्ह परीक्षा तबहिं पुरारी॥
Sahas kamal men ho rahe dhari.
Kinh pariksha tabahin Purari.
When a thousand lotuses were offered, O Purari, you tested the devotion behind them.
Chaupai 21
एक कमल प्रभु राखेउ जोई।
कमलनयन पूजन चहं सोई॥
Ek kamal Prabhu rakheu joi.
Kamalanayan poojan chahan soi.
You hid one lotus, and lotus-eyed Rama resolved to offer his own eye in worship.
Chaupai 22
कठिन भक्ति देखी प्रभु शंकर।
भए प्रसन्न दिए इच्छित वर॥
Kathin bhakti dekhi Prabhu Shankar.
Bhaye prasanna diye ichchhit var.
Seeing such intense devotion, Lord Shankar was pleased and granted the desired boon.
Chaupai 23
जय जय जय अनन्त अविनाशी।
करत कृपा सबके घटवासी॥
Jai jai jai anant avinashi.
Karat kripa sabke ghatvasi.
Victory to the endless, deathless Lord, indwelling all hearts and showering grace.
Chaupai 24
दुष्ट सकल नित मोहि सतावै।
भ्रमत रहौं मोहि चैन न आवै॥
Dusht sakal nit mohi satavai.
Bhramat rahon mohi chain na avai.
The wicked trouble me constantly; I wander without peace or rest.
Chaupai 25
त्राहि त्राहि मैं नाथ पुकारो।
येहि अवसर मोहि आन उबारो॥
Trahi trahi main Nath pukaro.
Yehi avasar mohi aan ubaro.
I cry out, save me, O Lord; come now and rescue me in this moment.
Chaupai 26
लै त्रिशूल शत्रुन को मारो।
संकट ते मोहि आन उबारो॥
Lai trishool shatrun ko maro.
Sankat te mohi aan ubaro.
Take up your trident and destroy my enemies; lift me out of danger.
Chaupai 27
मात-पिता भ्राता सब होई।
संकट में पूछत नहिं कोई॥
Mat-pita bhrata sab hoi.
Sankat men poochhat nahin koi.
Mother, father, and brother may be present, yet in crisis no one truly asks after me.
Chaupai 28
स्वामी एक है आस तुम्हारी।
आय हरहु मम संकट भारी॥
Swami ek hai aas tumhari.
Aay harahu mam sankat bhari.
O Lord, my only hope is you. Come and remove this heavy trouble.
Chaupai 29
धन निर्धन को देत सदाहीं।
जो कोई जांचे सो फल पाहीं॥
Dhan nirdhan ko det sadahin.
Jo koi janche so phal pahin.
You give wealth even to the poor; whoever asks sincerely receives the fruit.
Chaupai 30
अस्तुति केहि विधि करैं तुम्हारी।
क्षमहु नाथ अब चूक हमारी॥
Astuti kehi vidhi karain tumhari.
Kshamahu Nath ab chook hamari.
How can I properly praise you? Forgive my mistakes, O Lord.
Chaupai 31
शंकर हो संकट के नाशन।
मंगल कारण विघ्न विनाशन॥
Shankar ho sankat ke nashan.
Mangal karan vighn vinashan.
Shankar destroys distress, causes auspiciousness, and removes obstacles.
Chaupai 32
योगी यति मुनि ध्यान लगावैं।
शारद नारद शीश नवावैं॥
Yogi yati muni dhyan lagavain.
Sharad Narad sheesh navavain.
Yogis, ascetics, and sages meditate on you; Saraswati and Narada bow their heads.
Chaupai 33
नमो नमो जय नमः शिवाय।
सुर ब्रह्मादिक पार न पाय॥
Namo namo jai namah Shivaya.
Sur Brahmadik paar na pay.
Salutations, victory, namah Shivaya; even Brahma and the gods cannot reach your limit.
Chaupai 34
जो यह पाठ करे मन लाई।
तापर होत है शम्भु सहाई॥
Jo yah paath kare man lai.
Ta par hot hai Shambhu sahai.
Whoever recites this with full attention receives Shambhu's help.
Chaupai 35
ॠनियां जो कोई हो अधिकारी।
पाठ करे सो पावन हारी॥
Riniyan jo koi ho adhikari.
Paath kare so pavan hari.
Anyone burdened by debts or obligations who recites this becomes purified and relieved.
Chaupai 36
पुत्र होन कर इच्छा जोई।
निश्चय शिव प्रसाद तेहि होई॥
Putra hon kar ichchha joi.
Nishchay Shiv prasad tehi hoi.
Whoever desires a child receives that blessing through Shiva's grace.
Chaupai 37
पण्डित त्रयोदशी को लावे।
ध्यानपूर्वक होम करावे॥
Pandit Trayodashi ko lave.
Dhyan-purvak hom karave.
On Trayodashi, bring a priest and perform the sacred fire offering with attention.
Chaupai 38
त्रयोदशी व्रत करै हमेशा।
ताके तन नहीं रहै कलेशा॥
Trayodashi vrat karai hamesha.
Take tan nahin rahai kalesha.
One who observes the Trayodashi vow regularly is freed from bodily suffering.
Chaupai 39
धूप दीप नैवेद्य चढ़ावे।
शंकर सम्मुख पाठ सुनावे॥
Dhoop deep naivedya chadhave.
Shankar sammukh paath sunave.
Offer incense, lamp, and food, and recite the hymn before Shankar.
Chaupai 40
जन्म जन्म के पाप नसावे।
अन्त धाम शिवपुर में पावे॥
Janam janam ke paap nasave.
Ant dham Shivpur men pave.
Sins from many births are destroyed, and at the end one reaches Shiva's abode.
Chaupai 41
कहैं अयोध्यादास आस तुम्हारी।
जानि सकल दुःख हरहु हमारी॥
Kahain Ayodhyadas aas tumhari.
Jani sakal dukh harahu hamari.
Ayodhyadas says: my hope is in you; knowing this, remove all my sorrow.
Closing Doha
Closing
नित्त नेम उठि प्रातः ही, पाठ करो चालीसा।
तुम मेरी मनोकामना, पूर्ण करो जगदीश॥
मगसिर छठि हेमन्त ऋतु, संवत चौसठ जान।
स्तुति चालीसा शिवहि, पूर्ण कीन कल्याण॥
Nitt nem uthi pratah hi, paath karo Chalisa.
Tum meri manokamana, poorn karo Jagdish.
Magsir chhathi hemant ritu, samvat chausath jaan.
Stuti Chalisa Shivahi, poorn keen kalyan.
Rise each morning with discipline and recite this Chalisa; O Lord of the world, fulfill my righteous wish. This praise of Shiva was completed for auspicious welfare.
🪔 May this recitation bring peace and protection.
Conclude with a moment of silence. Distribute prasad if you have prepared it.
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Benefits of recitation
- •Recited for relief from prolonged illness and chronic difficulties.
- •Believed to ease the effects of Shani sade-sati and kaal sarp dosha.
- •Central to Maha Shivratri observance.
- •Cultivates vairagya (dispassion) and steadiness in meditation.
- •Traditionally chanted with abhishek of the Shiva lingam (water, milk, bilva leaves).
How to recite — traditional guidance
Best day
Monday (Somvar), every day of Shravan month, Maha Shivratri
Best time
Pradosh kaal (just after sunset) or pre-dawn
How many paaths
1, 5, or 11 paaths — Shravan Mondays warrant 11
- ·Offer bilva (bel) leaves, white flowers, and water (or milk) on the lingam.
- ·Wear white or rudraksha if you have one.
- ·Sit facing north or east.
- ·Begin with 'Om Namah Shivaya' three times.
- ·Avoid non-vegetarian food, onion, garlic, and intoxicants on recitation days.
- ·Conclude with aarti and a moment of silent meditation.
Common questions
When should the Shiv Chalisa be recited?
Mondays are most auspicious, and every Monday of the Hindu month of Shravan (July–August) is especially powerful. Maha Shivratri — usually in February or March — is the single most important night for Shiva sadhana.
Is the Shiv Chalisa the same as the Rudrashtakam?
No. The Rudrashtakam is a Sanskrit hymn of eight verses by Tulsidas (from the Ramcharitmanas). The Shiv Chalisa is a separate 40-verse devotional poem in Hindi/Awadhi. Many devotees recite both.
Can the Shiv Chalisa help with Shani sade-sati?
Traditional belief is that Lord Shiva is the only deity who pacifies the rigour of Shani. Recitation of the Shiv Chalisa during sade-sati is one of the most common remedies suggested by Vedic astrologers.
Continue your practice
Verse text and verse order cross-checked against the Drik Panchang Shiva Chalisa; transliteration and English meanings prepared by Daanyam.