Shri Ram Chalisa: A Devotional Hymn to Lord Rama’s Virtues

Shri Ram Chalisa is a revered devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and a central figure in the Ramayana. This Chalisa glorifies the divine attributes, heroic deeds, and benevolence of Shri Ram. It is recited with great devotion by devotees seeking guidance, protection, and blessings. Shri Ram, hailed as “Maryada Purushottam” (the ideal man), embodies virtues such as truth, humility, and righteousness.

The Ram Chalisa, composed in a poetic format, is easy to chant and reflects the essence of Lord Ram’s life and teachings. It holds significant importance during religious observances like Ram Navami and other auspicious occasions, connecting devotees with the divine through its melodious verses.

Ram Chalisa Lyrics

Doha
Aadau Ram Tapo Vanadi Gamanam Hatvaah Mriga Kaanchanam
Vaidehi Haranam Jatayu Maranam Sugreeva Sambhashanam
Baali Nirdalam Samudra Taranam Lankaapuri Daahanam
Pashchaadravanam Kumbhakarnam Hananam Etaddhi Ramayanam

Chaupai
Shri Raghubeer Bhakt Hitkaari।
Suni Leejai Prabhu Araj Hamaari।।

Nishi Din Dhyan Dharai Jo Koi।
Ta Sam Bhakt Aur Nahin Hoi।।

Dhyan Dhare Shivji Man Maahin।
Brahma Indra Paar Nahin Paahin।।

Jai Jai Jai Raghunath Kripala।
Sada Karo Santan Pratipala।।

Doot Tumhaar Veer Hanumana।
Jaasu Prabhaav Tihun Pur Jaana।।

Tuv Bhujdand Prachand Kripala।
Raavan Maari Suran Pratipala।।

Tum Anaath Ke Naath Gosain।
Deenan Ke Ho Sada Sahaai।।

Brahmadik Tav Paar Na Paavai।
Sada Eesh Tumharo Yash Gaavai।।

Chariyu Ved Bharat Hain Saakhi।
Tum Bhaktan Ki Lajja Raakhi।।

Gun Gaavat Sharad Man Maahin।
Surpati Taako Paar Na Paahin।।

Naam Tumhaar Let Jo Koi।
Ta Sam Dhanya Aur Nahin Hoi।।

Ram Naam Hai Aparampaara।
Charihu Vedan Jaahi Pukaara।।

Ganpati Naam Tumharo Leenhon।
Tinko Pratham Pujya Tum Keenhon।।

Shesh Ratat Nit Naam Tumhaara।
Mahi Ko Bhar Sheesh Par Dhaara।।

Phool Samaan Rahat So Bhaara।
Paavat Kou Na Tumharo Paara।।

Bharat Naam Tumharo Ur Dhaaro।
Taaso Kabahun Na Ran Mein Haaro।।

Naam Shatrughan Hriday Prakaasha।
Sumirat Hot Shatru Kar Naasha।।

Lashan Tumhare Aagyaakaari।
Sada Karat Santan Rakhvaari।।

Taate Ran Jeete Nahin Koi।
Yuddh Jure Yamahoon Kin Hoi।।

Maha Lakshmi Dhar Avataara।
Sab Vidhi Karat Paap Ko Chaara।।

Sita Ram Puneeta Gaayo।
Bhuvaneshwari Prabhaav Dikhayo।।

Ghat Son Prakat Bhai So Aai।
Jako Dekhat Chandra Lajai।।

So Tumhare Nit Paanv Palotat।
Navo Niddhi Charanan Mein Lotat।।

Siddhi Athaarah Mangal Kaari।
So Tum Par Jaavai Balihaari।।

Aurahu Jo Anek Prabhutai।
So Sitapati Tumhin Banaai।।

Iccha Te Kotin Sansaara।
Rachat Na Lagat Pal Ki Baara।।

Jo Tumhare Charanan Chit Laavai।
Taako Mukti Avasi Ho Jaavai।।

Sunahu Ram Tum Taat Hamaare।
Tumhin Bharat Kul-Pujya Prachaare।।

Tumhin Dev Kul Dev Hamaare।
Tum Guru Dev Praan Ke Pyaare।।

Jo Kuchh Ho So Tumhin Raja।
Jai Jai Jai Prabhu Rakho Laja।।

Rama Aatma Poshan Haare।
Jai Jai Jai Dasharath Ke Pyaare।।

Jai Jai Jai Prabhu Jyoti Swaroopa।
Nigun Brahm Akhand Anoopa।।

Satya Satya Jai Satya-Vrat Swami।
Satya Sanaatan Antaryaami।।

Satya Bhajan Tumharo Jo Gaavai।
So Nishchay Charon Phal Paavai।।

Satya Shapath Gauripati Keenhi।
Tumne Bhakthih Sab Siddhi Deenhi।।

Gyaan Hriday Do Gyaan Swaroopa।
Namo Namo Jai Jaapati Bhoopa।।

Dhanya Dhanya Tum Dhanya Prataapa।
Naam Tumhaar Harat Santapa।।

Satya Shuddh Devan Mukh Gaaya।
Baji Dundubhi Shankh Bajaaya।।

Satya Satya Tum Satya Sanaatan।
Tumhin Ho Hamare Tan Man Dhan।।

Yaako Paath Kare Jo Koi।
Gyaan Prakat Taake Ur Hoi।।

Aavaagaman Mitai Tihi Kera।
Satya Vachan Maane Shiv Mera।।

Aur Aas Man Mein Jo Lyaavai।
Tulsi Dal Aru Phool Chadhaavai।।

Saag Patra So Bhog Lagaavai।
So Nar Sakal Siddhata Paavai।।

Ant Samay Raghubar Pur Jaai।
Jahan Janm Hari Bhakt Kahaai।।

Shri Hari Daas Kahai Aru Gaavai।
So Vaikunth Dhaam Ko Paavai।।

Doha
Saat Divas Jo Nem Kar Paath Kare Chit Laai।
Haridas Harikripa Se Avasi Bhakti Ko Paai।।

Ram Chalisa Jo Padhe Ramcharan Chit Laai।
Jo Ichcha Man Mein Karai Sakal Siddh Ho Jaai।।

Religious Significance

Shri Ram Chalisa holds immense spiritual significance for devotees of Lord Rama. It is believed to provide solace, strength, and liberation from worldly troubles. Chanting the Chalisa with devotion can lead to the fulfillment of wishes, mental peace, and spiritual awakening.

The Chalisa emphasizes the power of Ram Naam (the name of Lord Ram), which is described as eternal, infinite, and capable of granting all forms of prosperity and salvation. It is particularly recited during auspicious occasions such as Ram Navami, Diwali, or during personal prayer sessions to invoke the divine presence of Lord Ram.

Historical and Cultural Context

The origins of Shri Ram Chalisa are rooted in the deep cultural and religious devotion to Lord Ram. This Chalisa reflects the teachings and virtues of Ram as described in the Ramayana, one of the most revered Hindu scriptures.

Over centuries, the Chalisa has been a part of traditional bhajan sessions, devotional gatherings, and temple recitations. Its simple yet profound language makes it accessible to devotees of all ages.

Themes and Teachings

Core Themes

1. Devotion and Surrender: Shri Ram Chalisa teaches the importance of complete faith and surrender to Lord Ram.
2. Righteousness and Compassion: The Chalisa glorifies Lord Ram as an embodiment of dharma (righteousness) and mercy.
3. Unity in Bhakti: It unites devotees across cultures and languages through its universal message of love and devotion.

Symbolism

• Ram Naam: The name of Lord Ram is depicted as a mantra with immense spiritual power.
• Bow and Arrow: Symbolizes Lord Ram’s strength and his role as a protector of dharma.
• Sita and Ram: Represent the ideal relationship and divine virtues of purity and devotion.

Recitation Guidelines

Preparation

• Light a diya, offer flowers, and sit in a clean, quiet place before starting the recitation.
• Maintain a peaceful and focused mind.

Frequency

• Reciting the Chalisa every morning or evening brings immense spiritual benefits.
• Chanting during special occasions like Ram Navami is highly auspicious.

Intention

• Set a pure intention before beginning the recitation, such as seeking blessings or inner peace.

Conclusion

Shri Ram Chalisa serves as a spiritual guide for devotees, offering a path to divine blessings and ultimate liberation. Its verses resonate with love, devotion, and the promise of divine protection. By reciting this Chalisa, devotees can align their lives with the ideals of Lord Ram and experience spiritual fulfillment.

“Jai Shri Ram!”