The Hanuman Chalisa is a blissful ode, which is devoted to Lord Hanuman, by the famous yogi Sri Goswami Tulsidas in the 16th century. According to legend, when Tulsidas was sick, he wrote the Hanuman Chalisa. Composing and singing hymns to Lord Hanuman helped Tulsidas recover and regain his health.

The word ‘Chalis’ in Hindi means forty, which refers to the forty verses of praise for Lord Hanuman. It is composed in Avadhi, a dialect of Hindi spoken in Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama.

This eternal verses are oblation to Lord Hanuman and his faith, unflinching in the servitude of Lord Ram. Inherently known for a monkey structure, Lord Hanuman was considered the epitome of faith, surrender, and devotion. The Hanuman Chalisa is considered a place of blissful experience where the breath meets the heart.

When negativity surrounds, and the mind and soul are adrift, ignorant, one can find refuge in their breath. The breath, of its own accord, acts upwards and downwards, jumping incessantly, like a restless monkey.

In this analogy, the breath is represented by Hanuman, who carries the weight of Rama and Laxmana—the soul and awareness—on his shoulders. Together they overcome the embodiment of negativity, Ravana, to accomplish the reunion of Rama and Sita. This reflects the importance of using the breath as a tool toward transcendence over negativity and unifying the aspects of mind and soul into harmonious unity.

The Meaning of the Hanuman Chalisa

Now, let’s see the meaning of this mantra: By meditating on it and gradually imbibing every word in the chant, practitioners grasp the deeper meaning of it.

The Hanuman Chalisa is a sacred hymn composed by Tulsidas, in honor of Lord Hanuman, who was a great Hindu deity known for his unceasing devotion to Lord Rama. The chalisa sings the praises of the virtues and deeds of Hanuman. They narrate the strength, wisdom, and divine qualities of Hanuman. They describe his role in the Ramayana, emphasizing his selfless service and steadfast loyalty towards Lord Rama. This mantra mentions different forms taken by Hanuman: a strong warrior, a very devoted messenger, and a very humble servant. It shows his extraordinary feats, which include the burning of Lanka and retrieving the Sanjivani herb to revive Laxman. These verses are associated with the acts of bravery of Hanuman, who played a crucial role in the Ramayana when Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, was to be rescued from the demon king Ravana.

Devotees chant the Hanuman Chalisa for protection, strength, and blessings from Lord Hanuman. It also underlines the strength in the name of Hanuman and how that could bring a transformation in the life of an individual, to be relieved from all troubles and liberated from worldly sorrows. In essence, Hanuman Chalisa acts as an encouraging force, devotion, and spiritual attachment for millions of the faithful by personifying all the divine attributes of Hanuman and his role in the epic tale of Lord Rama.

How does one chant the Hanuman Chalisa?

It is best to meditate upon the Hanuman Chalisa. Sit as you would for meditation—in a meditative posture, eyes closed, body relaxed, keeping your back straight, center yourself by bringing your breath to a rhythmic flow. Play a recording of the Hanuman Chalisa or if you are attending a live class, then your teacher will play a recording for you. Just close your eyes, listen to the chants, and try to absorb each word as you focus on your breath. Of course, at first, you may find your mind straying or your not being able to siphon the words. But just keep sitting and rhythmically breathing through it all. Gradually, with practice, you will find it easier to meditate upon the Hanuman Chalisa.

You can also read the Hanuman Chalisa verse by verse to understand and be fully involved in its meaning.

Why is it good to chant the Hanuman Chalisa?

It stirs the heart, kindles the flames of devotion, and evokes profound feelings of reverence when one chants the Hanuman Chalisa. Even a simple reading of the Hanuman Chalisa evokes feelings of devotion. With each unfolding verse, the Hanuman Chalisa alludes eloquently to the myriad qualities of Lord Hanuman. Devotees sing and recite this hymn with the belief that the blessings of Hanuman confer immense merit and boundless grace.
It is believed that continuous reciting of the Hanuman Chalisa keeps one away from illness, evil forces, and negative situations. The worship of Lord Hanuman is said to be of the “god of life”; hence, worship of this god is believed to strengthen this life force within ourselves. A strengthened life force will give the courage required for overcoming fear, mistrust, and doubt while undertaking any challenge.

Each stanza of the Hanuman Chalisa describes different aspects of Lord Hanuman’s attributes; and due to these, his believers find tremendous confidence and belief in the thought that he will shower the greatest of Ram Bhaktas’ blessings upon them and safeguard them from every problem they will face in life.

Conclusion

The meaning and depth of Hanuman Chalisa touch the very roots, hence evoking emotions of profound devotion and changing oneself. In the beginning, the intricacy and complexity can be overwhelming; however, try to be patient so that you understand the meaning of how it will have its impact. The best idea is to join live mantra or meditation classes where, under experienced tutors, learning to practice comes easily.