Hanuman Chalisa (English Version)
A poetic English companion to the Hanuman Chalisa, set against symphonic rock to make its meaning accessible while keeping prema-bhakti at the center.
Story Behind Hanuman Chalisa (English Version)
“Hanuman Chalisa (English Version)” came from a very personal question: how do we help a generation that thinks, studies and communicates largely in English connect more deeply with verses many of us have known since childhood?
I grew up with the Hanuman Chalisa, memorised and understood from an early age. But over time, I felt there was a gap. The original Awadhi poetry of Goswami Tulsidas Ji is timeless and can never be replaced, yet many younger listeners may recite it without fully experiencing the meaning of each verse.
So I began translating the Chalisa into poetic English, not as a substitute, but as a companion to the original, something that could help listeners understand what they are chanting while preserving its devotional spirit.
The project took shape slowly over many months, beginning around Hanuman Jayanti. Each verse was researched carefully and adapted into a poetic flow that could sit naturally beside the original.
Musically, I wanted to bring that timeless devotion into a modern cinematic space, so the English translation was set against symphonic rock: powerful, dramatic and contemporary, while keeping prema-bhakti at the center.
The larger aspiration was simple: to help carry a piece of our Vedic heritage to a wider global audience without diluting what makes it sacred.
This version is not meant to “modernise” the Hanuman Chalisa itself.
It is meant to help more people understand it, feel it, and perhaps fall in love with it more deeply.
Lyrics
Traditional source text: Goswami Tulsidas Ji. English translation/adaptation: Keviv Ardnahc.
With dust of Guru’s lotus feet, I cleanse my heart and soul, To sing the praise of The Raghubar, whose glories make me whole. Jay Hanuman, of wisdom deep, a sea of strength and grace, O lord of monkeys, whose name resounds through time and space. Messenger of Ram, unmatched in your might, Son of Anjani, named wind-born so right. Mighty hero, strong as thunder you stand, You drive out darkness with wisdom in hand. Golden in hue, in splendid attire, With earrings that shine and hair curled with fire. In your hand like a thunderbolt, Ayodhya’s flag you hold, Sacred thread across your shoulders, decors you many fold. Shiva’s spark, Kesari’s pride, Your radiant glory is worshipped far and wide. Wise and virtuous, clever and keen, Eager to serve Lord Ram, your King supreme. You love to hear of Ram’s glorious story, In your heart dwell Sita, Ram, and Lakshman in glory. In subtle form, you showed Ma Sita your face, In fierce form, you burned down Lanka’s base. In monstrous form, you crushed demon foes, And cleared the path where Lord Ram goes. You brought the life herb to save Lakshman’s breath, Ram embraced you with joy, for defying death. Lord Ram praised you with words so sweet, “Dear as my brother Bharat,” he did repeat. “A thousand mouths would sing your name!” Thus spoke Ram, and held you in fame. Sanak, Brahmaa, the sages high, Sing your praise, as does Naarad in sky; Yama, Kubera, and guardians of space, Wisest of poets can’t speak of, all your grace. To Sugreeva, you gave your aid divine, And brought him to Shri Ram — thus he rose to shine. Your mantra Vibhishan took to heart, And ruled o’er Lanka, a king set apart. The sun, a thousand yojanas away, You leapt and thought it a sweet fruit to take away. With Raam’s ring held in your mouth so tight, You crossed the ocean in a single flight. Hardest tasks of the world, so vast, You make them easy and swiftly passed. You guard Lord Raam’s celestial gate, None can enter without your okay or faith. All find bliss who seek your grace, With you as guard, there’s no dark place. You hold your Aura in calm control, Yet shake the worlds with thunder’s roll. No ghost or demon dares come near, When Mahaveer’s bold name they hear. You cure all ills and soothe all pain, When chanted with love, your holy name. You free the soul from sorrow’s chain, Who thinks of you in heart and brain. Lord Ram, the sage-king, reigns all above, You serve His cause with steadfast love. Whosoever brings their heart’s desire, You bless with fruits that never tire. Your glory shines through every age, Across the world, on every page. You guard the saints, make demons fall, Beloved of Ram, you serve His call. You grant the boons both great and grand, A gift from Ma Sita’s loving hand. The nectar of Ram’s name you keep, Forever His servant, loyal and deep. Through singing your praise, one reaches Ram, And all lives deepest sorrows, turn to calm. At death’s last breath, your grace shall bring The soul to Ram’s own dwelling wing. Let others seek the gods they may— To serve Hanuman is bliss each day. You end all trials, remove all pain, When called upon with love — not vain. All glory to you, Hanuman, divine! Please bless us like teacher mine. जय जय जय हनुमान गोसाईं । कृपा करहु गुरु देव की नाईं ॥ Who chants this Chalisa hundredfold, Finds freedom’s joy, both brave and bold. जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई । छूटहि बंदि महासुख होई ॥ Whoever reads this sacred song, Becomes perfect finding your blessings strong. जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा । होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा ॥ Tulsidaas, ever Ram’s true servant, Begs you, O Lord, reside in my heart permanent. तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा। कीजै नाथ हृदय मंह डेरा॥ O Wind-God’s son, destroyer of fear, all auspicious is here, Dwell in my heart, with Ram, Sita and brother Lakhman dear. पवनतनय संकट हरन, मंगल मूरति रूप । राम लखन सीता सहित, ह्रदय बसहु सुर भूप ॥ All glory to Shri Ram, Sita’s beloved divine, Whose grace and love forever shine. || सियावर रामचन्द्र की जय || Hail Hanuman, the Wind-God’s might, A hero blazing with sacred light! || पवनसुत हनुमान की जय || All victory to Shiva, Uma’s Lord, The cosmic dance, the timeless sword! || उमापति महादेव की जय || Praise to Tulsidas, saint so wise, Who sang Lord Ram with tear-filled eyes. || सभा पति तुलसीदास की जय || Glory to Vrindavan Bihari’s joy, Beloved Shri Krishna, the cowherd boy! || वृंदावन विहारी लाल की जय || Praise to Tulsidas, saint so wise, Who sang Lord Ram with tear-filled eyes. || सभा पति तुलसीदास की जय || ।। बोलो भई सब सन्तन की जय ।।