Shiv Chalisa is a 40-verse hymn to Lord Shiva that begins “Jai Girija Pati Deen Dayala, Sada Karat Santan Pratipala”. It is recited in homes on Mondays, through Sawan, on Mahashivratri and on Pradosh. It describes Shiva’s form and his leelas — becoming Neelkanth and destroying Tripurasur and Jalandhar. Below are the full lyrics in English and Hindi, a simple meaning, the method of recitation and its benefits.
Shiv Chalisa lyrics in English
Doha
Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan, Mangal Mool Sujan.
Kahat Ayodhyadas Tum, Dehu Abhay Vardan.
Chaupai
Jai Girija Pati Deen Dayala,
Sada Karat Santan Pratipala.
Bhaal Chandrama Sohat Neeke,
Kanan Kundal Nagphani Ke.
Ang Gaur Shir Gang Bahaye,
Mundmaal Tan Kshar Lagaye.
Vastra Khaal Baghambar Sohe,
Chhavi Ko Dekhi Naag Man Mohe.
Maina Matu Ki Have Dulari,
Baam Ang Sohat Chhavi Nyari.
Kar Trishul Sohat Chhavi Bhari,
Karat Sada Shatrun Kshayakari.
Nandi Ganesh Sohai Tahan Kaise,
Sagar Madhya Kamal Hain Jaise.
Kartik Shyam Aur Ganrau,
Ya Chhavi Ko Kahi Jaat Na Kau.
Devan Jabahin Jaay Pukara,
Tab Hi Dukh Prabhu Aap Nivara.
Kiya Upadrav Tarak Bhari,
Devan Sab Mili Tumahin Juhari.
Turat Shadanan Aap Pathayau,
Lavnimesh Mahan Maari Girayau.
Aap Jalandhar Asur Sanhara,
Suyash Tumhar Vidit Sansara.
Tripurasur San Yuddh Machai,
Sabahin Kripa Kar Leen Bachai.
Kiya Tapahin Bhagirath Bhari,
Purab Pratigya Taasu Purari.
Danin Mahan Tum Sam Kou Nahin,
Sevak Stuti Karat Sadahin.
Ved Naam Mahima Tav Gai,
Akath Anadi Bhed Nahin Pai.
Prakati Udadhi Manthan Mein Jwala,
Jarat Surasur Bhaye Vihala.
Keenhi Daya Tahan Kari Sahai,
Neelkanth Tab Naam Kahai.
Poojan Ramchandra Jab Keenha,
Jeet Ke Lank Vibhishan Deenha.
Sahas Kamal Mein Ho Rahe Dhari,
Keenh Pariksha Tabahin Purari.
Ek Kamal Prabhu Rakheu Joi,
Kamal Nayan Poojan Chahan Soi.
Kathin Bhakti Dekhi Prabhu Shankar,
Bhaye Prasann Diye Ichchhit Var.
Jai Jai Jai Anant Avinashi,
Karat Kripa Sab Ke Ghatvasi.
Dusht Sakal Nit Mohi Satavai,
Bhramat Rahaun Mohi Chain Na Aavai.
Trahi Trahi Main Naath Pukaro,
Yehi Avsar Mohi Aan Ubaro.
Lai Trishul Shatrun Ko Maro,
Sankat Se Mohi Aan Ubaro.
Maat-Pita Bhrata Sab Hoi,
Sankat Mein Poochhat Nahin Koi.
Swami Ek Hai Aas Tumhari,
Aay Harahu Mam Sankat Bhari.
Dhan Nirdhan Ko Det Sada Hin,
Jo Koi Jaanche So Phal Pahin.
Astuti Kehi Vidhi Karain Tumhari,
Kshamahu Naath Ab Chook Hamari.
Shankar Ho Sankat Ke Nashan,
Mangal Karan Vighna Vinashan.
Yogi Yati Muni Dhyan Lagavain,
Sharad Narad Sheesh Navavain.
Namo Namo Jai Namah Shivay,
Sur Brahmadik Paar Na Paay.
Jo Yah Paath Kare Man Lai,
Ta Par Hot Hai Shambhu Sahai.
Riniyan Jo Koi Ho Adhikari,
Paath Kare So Pavan Hari.
Putra Heen Kar Ichchha Joi,
Nishchay Shiv Prasad Tehi Hoi.
Pandit Trayodashi Ko Lave,
Dhyan Poorvak Hom Karave.
Trayodashi Vrat Karai Hamesha,
Take Tan Nahin Rahai Kalesha.
Dhoop Deep Naivedya Chadhave,
Shankar Sammukh Paath Sunave.
Janm Janm Ke Paap Nasave,
Ant Dhaam Shivpur Mein Pave.
Kahain Ayodhyadas Aas Tumhari,
Jaani Sakal Dukh Harahu Hamari.
Doha
Nitt Nem Kar Pratah Hi, Paath Karaun Chalisa.
Tum Meri Manokamna, Poorn Karo Jagdish.
Magsar Chhathi Hemant Ritu, Samvat Chausath Jaan.
Astuti Chalisa Shivahi, Poorn Keen Kalyan.
Shiv Chalisa in Hindi
॥ दोहा ॥
जय गणेश गिरिजा सुवन, मंगल मूल सुजान।
कहत अयोध्यादास तुम, देहु अभय वरदान॥
॥ चौपाई ॥
जय गिरिजा पति दीन दयाला।
सदा करत सन्तन प्रतिपाला॥
भाल चन्द्रमा सोहत नीके।
कानन कुण्डल नागफनी के॥
अंग गौर शिर गंग बहाये।
मुण्डमाल तन क्षार लगाए॥
वस्त्र खाल बाघम्बर सोहे।
छवि को देखि नाग मन मोहे॥
मैना मातु की हवे दुलारी।
बाम अंग सोहत छवि न्यारी॥
कर त्रिशूल सोहत छवि भारी।
करत सदा शत्रुन क्षयकारी॥
नन्दि गणेश सोहै तहँ कैसे।
सागर मध्य कमल हैं जैसे॥
कार्तिक श्याम और गणराऊ।
या छवि को कहि जात न काऊ॥
देवन जबहीं जाय पुकारा।
तब ही दुख प्रभु आप निवारा॥
किया उपद्रव तारक भारी।
देवन सब मिलि तुमहिं जुहारी॥
तुरत षडानन आप पठायउ।
लवनिमेष महँ मारि गिरायउ॥
आप जलंधर असुर संहारा।
सुयश तुम्हार विदित संसारा॥
त्रिपुरासुर सन युद्ध मचाई।
सबहिं कृपा कर लीन बचाई॥
किया तपहिं भागीरथ भारी।
पुरब प्रतिज्ञा तासु पुरारी॥
दानिन महँ तुम सम कोउ नाहीं।
सेवक स्तुति करत सदाहीं॥
वेद नाम महिमा तव गाई।
अकथ अनादि भेद नहिं पाई॥
प्रकटी उदधि मंथन में ज्वाला।
जरत सुरासुर भए विहाला॥
कीन्ही दया तहं करी सहाई।
नीलकण्ठ तब नाम कहाई॥
पूजन रामचन्द्र जब कीन्हा।
जीत के लंक विभीषण दीन्हा॥
सहस कमल में हो रहे धारी।
कीन्ह परीक्षा तबहिं पुरारी॥
एक कमल प्रभु राखेउ जोई।
कमल नयन पूजन चहं सोई॥
कठिन भक्ति देखी प्रभु शंकर।
भए प्रसन्न दिए इच्छित वर॥
जय जय जय अनन्त अविनाशी।
करत कृपा सब के घटवासी॥
दुष्ट सकल नित मोहि सतावै।
भ्रमत रहौं मोहि चैन न आवै॥
त्राहि त्राहि मैं नाथ पुकारो।
येहि अवसर मोहि आन उबारो॥
लै त्रिशूल शत्रुन को मारो।
संकट से मोहि आन उबारो॥
मात-पिता भ्राता सब होई।
संकट में पूछत नहिं कोई॥
स्वामी एक है आस तुम्हारी।
आय हरहु मम संकट भारी॥
धन निर्धन को देत सदा हीं।
जो कोई जांचे सो फल पाहीं॥
अस्तुति केहि विधि करैं तुम्हारी।
क्षमहु नाथ अब चूक हमारी॥
शंकर हो संकट के नाशन।
मंगल कारण विघ्न विनाशन॥
योगी यति मुनि ध्यान लगावैं।
शारद नारद शीश नवावैं॥
नमो नमो जय नमः शिवाय।
सुर ब्रह्मादिक पार न पाय॥
जो यह पाठ करे मन लाई।
ता पर होत है शम्भु सहाई॥
ॠनियां जो कोई हो अधिकारी।
पाठ करे सो पावन हारी॥
पुत्र हीन कर इच्छा जोई।
निश्चय शिव प्रसाद तेहि होई॥
पण्डित त्रयोदशी को लावे।
ध्यान पूर्वक होम करावे॥
त्रयोदशी व्रत करै हमेशा।
ताके तन नहीं रहै कलेशा॥
धूप दीप नैवेद्य चढ़ावे।
शंकर सम्मुख पाठ सुनावे॥
जन्म जन्म के पाप नसावे।
अन्त धाम शिवपुर में पावे॥
कहैं अयोध्यादास आस तुम्हारी।
जानि सकल दुःख हरहु हमारी॥
॥ दोहा ॥
नित्त नेम कर प्रातः ही, पाठ करौं चालीसा।
तुम मेरी मनोकामना, पूर्ण करो जगदीश॥
मगसर छठि हेमन्त ॠतु, संवत चौसठ जान।
अस्तुति चालीसा शिवहि, पूर्ण कीन कल्याण॥
Meaning of Shiv Chalisa
Shiva’s form: O lord of Parvati, kind to the humble, you always protect the saints. The moon adorns your forehead, serpent earrings your ears, the Ganga your matted hair; you wear a garland of skulls and ash on your body. You wear a tiger skin, Parvati sits at your left, the trident is in your hand, and Nandi, Ganesha and Kartikeya beside you shine like lotuses in the ocean.
Shiva’s leelas: When Tarakasur caused havoc, you sent Shadanan (Kartikeya) to slay him. You destroyed Jalandhar and Tripurasur and held the Ganga at Bhagiratha’s penance. Drinking the poison from the churning of the ocean, you became Neelkanth. Shri Ram worshipped you before conquering Lanka; when you hid one lotus to test him, he offered his own lotus eye, and you blessed him.
The devotee’s plea and the fruit: the devotee says the wicked torment him and even family does not help in trouble — you are his only hope; take up your trident and rescue him. Whoever recites this with devotion is helped by Shambhu — freed of debt, blessed with children, and in the end reaches Shiva’s abode. The Trayodashi (Pradosh) fast brings special merit.
How to recite Shiv Chalisa
- Bathe in the morning, wear clean or white clothes and sit facing east or north.
- Offer water, raw milk, bel leaves, dhatura, aak flowers and sandalwood to the Shivling or Shiva’s picture.
- Light a ghee lamp and incense, chant “Om Namah Shivaya” 11 times and take the sankalp.
- Recite the Shiv Chalisa with focus and clear pronunciation.
- Afterwards sing Om Jai Shiv Omkara and offer fruit or mishri.
When to read Shiv Chalisa
- Mondays — Lord Shiva’s day.
- The whole month of Sawan and Sawan Mondays.
- Mahashivratri and every monthly Shivratri.
- Pradosh (Trayodashi) — the chalisa itself names the fruit of the Trayodashi fast.
- In times of trouble, fear or illness.
7 rules for reading Shiv Chalisa
- Read with a pure mind in a clean place.
- Do not offer tulsi or ketaki flowers to the Shivling.
- Do not get up or talk in the middle.
- Eat sattvic food on Mondays and vow days.
- Do not walk a full circle around the Shivling — go half way without crossing the water outlet.
- Always do the aarti afterwards.
- Never recite it to harm anyone.
Benefits of Shiv Chalisa
- Calms restlessness, fear and anxiety.
- Believed to remove illness, debt and enemies by Shiva’s grace.
- Brings peace and positivity to the home.
- According to the chalisa, those wishing for children receive Shiva’s blessing.
Also read the Shiv Tandav Stotram and Om Jai Shiv Omkara. Read more on Wikipedia.
Frequently asked questions
When should Shiv Chalisa be recited?
Mondays, the whole month of Sawan, Mahashivratri and Pradosh (Trayodashi) are the most auspicious. It can also be recited every morning after bathing.
Who wrote the Shiv Chalisa?
The name “Ayodhyadas” appears in its opening and closing lines, so by tradition it is attributed to Ayodhyadas.
What is the first line of Shiv Chalisa?
After the doha, the first chaupai is “Jai Girija Pati Deen Dayala, Sada Karat Santan Pratipala” — glory to Parvati’s lord, kind to the humble, who always protects the saints.
How many times should Shiv Chalisa be read?
Once with devotion is enough. For a special wish, devotees take a vow of 11 or 40 days, or 11 recitations in one day.
