शिव चालीसा
The Shiv Chalisa praises Lord Shiva in his many aspects — the ascetic, the compassionate, the destroyer of evil, the Lord of Mount Kailash, the husband of Parvati, and the father of Ganesha and Kartikeya. It is recited on Mondays, during the month of Shravan, and on Mahashivaratri.
जय गणेश गिरिजा सुवन, मंगल मूल सुजान ।
कहत अयोध्यादास तुम, देहु अभय वरदान ॥
Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan, Mangal Mool Sujaan,
Kahat Ayodhyaadas Tum, Dehu Abhay Varadaan.
Victory to Ganesha, the wise son of Girija (Parvati), the root of all auspiciousness! Ayodhyadas says: grant us the boon of fearlessness.
1.
जय गिरिजापति दीनदयाला ।
सदा करत सन्तन प्रतिपाला ॥
Jai Girijapati Deendayaala, Sada Karat Santan Pratipaala.
Victory to the lord of Girija (Parvati), the compassionate one to the meek, who always protects the saints.
2.
भाल चन्द्रमा सोहत नीके ।
कानन कुण्डल नागफनी के ॥
Bhaal Chandramaa Sohat Neeke, Kaanan Kundal Naagphani Ke.
The crescent moon adorns his forehead beautifully; his ear-rings are made of the hoods of cobras.
3.
अंग गौर शिर गंग बहाये ।
मुण्डमाल तन क्षार लगाये ॥
Ang Gaur Shir Gang Bahaaye, Mundmaal Tan Kshaar Lagaaye.
His body is fair-complexioned; the Ganga flows from his head; a garland of skulls adorns his neck; sacred ash covers his body.
4.
वस्त्र खाल बाघम्बर सोहे ।
छवि को देख नाग मन मोहे ॥
Vastr Khaal Baaghambar Sohe, Chhavi Ko Dekh Naag Man Mohe.
He is beautifully clothed in a tiger skin; even the serpents are enchanted seeing his form.
5.
पैन्ह नाग छवि सुन्दर लागे ।
सकल देव दानव मन पागे ॥
Painh Naag Chhavi Sundar Laage, Sakal Dev Daanav Man Paage.
Wearing the serpent, he appears beautiful; the minds of all gods and demons are attracted to him.
6.
दाहिने हाथ डमरू धारी ।
वाम हस्त में त्रिशूल कट बड़ारी ॥
Daahine Haath Damaru Dhaari, Vaam Hast Mein Trishool Kat Badaari.
In his right hand he holds the damaru drum; in his left hand a great trident.
7.
यक्ष अप्सरा करत निहारी ।
जय जय जय त्रिपुरारी ॥
Yaksh Apsaraa Karat Nihaari, Jai Jai Jai Tripuraari.
Yakshas and apsaras behold him in reverence; victory, victory, victory to Tripurari (destroyer of three demon cities)!
8.
हनुमान शिव-शंकर-भजन ।
सोहे निकट हैं शिव के सेवन ॥
Hanumaan Shiv-Shankar-Bhajan, Sohe Nikat Hain Shiv Ke Sevan.
Hanuman, who sings the praises of Shiv-Shankar, is near and serves Shiva beautifully.
9.
कर धमरु आरोही कीला ।
कैलास शिखर पर देत झीला ॥
Kar Dhamru Aarohi Keela, Kailaas Shikhar Par Det Jheela.
Playing the damaru, he is enthroned on the peak of Kailash.
10.
सभी देव मुनि और दिग्पाला ।
करत हैं अभिषेक विशाला ॥
Sabhi Dev Muni Aur Digpaala, Karat Hain Abhishek Vishaala.
All gods, sages, and guardians of directions perform his great abhishek (ritual bathing with sacred substances).
11.
नंदी भृंगी रहत हैं द्वारे ।
गण सब मिलकर जय जय भारे ॥
Nandi Bhringi Rahat Hain Dwaare, Gan Sab Milkar Jai Jai Bhaare.
Nandi and Bhringi remain at his door; all the ganas (attendants) together shout victory!
12.
पूजत हैं सनकादिक विष्णु ।
निगम विरंचि महेश जगत जानो ॥
Poojet Hain Sanakaadik Vishnu, Nigam Viranchi Mahesh Jagat Jaano.
Sanaka and Vishnu worship him; know that the Vedas, Brahma, and Mahesh (Shiva) are known throughout the world.
13.
काशी में विराजे विश्वनाथ ।
पार्वती के शिर धरे हाथ ॥
Kaashi Mein Viraaje Vishwanaath, Paaarvati Ke Shir Dhare Haath.
As Vishwanath, he is enthroned in Kashi (Varanasi); he places his hand upon Parvati's head in blessing.
14.
अगम निगम दोनों बखान ।
गावत हैं जग के गुनगान ॥
Agam Nigam Donon Bakhaan, Gaavat Hain Jag Ke Gungaan.
Both the Agamas and Nigamas (scriptural traditions) praise him; the whole world sings his glories.
15.
सत चित आनन्द तुम स्वामी ।
तीनों मिलकर हैं अन्तर्यामी ॥
Sat Chit Aanand Tum Swami, Teenon Milkar Hain Antaryaami.
You are Sat (existence), Chit (consciousness), and Ananda (bliss), O Master; together they make you the inner witness of all.
16.
करत हैं पूजन संत अराधन ।
भव सागर से तारत साधन ॥
Karat Hain Poojan Sant Araaadhan, Bhav Saagar Se Taarat Saadhan.
Saints perform your worship and adoration; you are the means of crossing the ocean of worldly existence.
17.
रावण भी शिव का परम पुजारी ।
भस्म रमाये मस्तक धारी ॥
Raavan Bhi Shiv Ka Param Pujaari, Bhasma Ramaaye Mastak Dhaari.
Even Ravana was a supreme devotee of Shiva, smearing sacred ash and bearing it on his forehead.
18.
रावण ने शिव को प्रसन्न किया ।
कई बार मस्तक को भेंट दिया ॥
Raavan Ne Shiv Ko Prasann Kiyaa, Kai Baar Mastak Ko Bhent Diyaa.
Ravana pleased Shiva and many times offered his own heads as a gift.
19.
शिव को जब रावण ने मनाया ।
अमोघ शक्ति तब उसने पाया ॥
Shiv Ko Jab Raavan Ne Manaayaa, Amogh Shakti Tab Usne Paayaa.
When Ravana propitiated Shiva, he received irresistible powers.
20.
देव-असुर मिलकर युद्ध किया ।
श्रृंग पर शिव ने वास लिया ॥
Dev-Asur Milkar Yuddh Kiyaa, Shring Par Shiv Ne Vaas Liyaa.
Gods and demons together fought; Shiva resided atop the mountain peak.
21.
मोक्ष की कामना जो भी करे ।
शिव की शरण में वह आ जा रे ॥
Moksh Ki Kaamna Jo Bhi Kare, Shiv Ki Sharan Mein Vah Aa Ja Re.
Whoever desires liberation — come take shelter at Shiva's feet.
22.
सेवत शिव को निरंतर जोई ।
ताके मन में भय न होई ॥
Sevat Shiv Ko Nirantar Joee, Taake Man Mein Bhay Na Hoee.
Whoever serves Shiva continuously — fear does not arise in that person's mind.
23.
बिल्वपत्र शिव पर चढ़ावे ।
सुख संपदा नित वह पावे ॥
Bilvapatr Shiv Par Chadhaave, Sukh Sampadaa Nit Vah Paave.
Whoever offers bilva (bel) leaves to Shiva daily attains happiness and prosperity.
24.
शिव शंकर जो नाम जपे सोई ।
जनम-जनम का बंधन खोई ॥
Shiv Shankar Jo Naam Jape Soee, Janam-Janam Ka Bandhan Khoee.
Whoever recites the name of Shiva Shankar — the bondage of birth after birth is broken.
25.
आशुतोष आशु होय प्रसन्ना ।
तोड़त हैं भव जग के बंधना ॥
Aashutosh Aashu Hoy Prasanna, Todat Hain Bhav Jag Ke Bandhana.
Ashutosh (Shiva — one who is easily pleased) is quickly propitiated; he breaks the bonds of worldly existence.
26.
त्र्यम्बक सतत तर्पण लेते ।
भस्म भोग अर्पण शिव देते ॥
Tryambak Satat Tarpan Lete, Bhasma Bhog Arpan Shiv Dete.
The three-eyed one (Tryambaka) receives continuous libations; offerings of sacred ash please Shiva.
27.
नीलकंठ को दूध चढ़ावे ।
हर हर महादेव गुण गावे ॥
Neelkanth Ko Doodh Chadhaave, Har Har Mahadev Gun Gaave.
Offering milk to the blue-throated one (Neelkanth), sing the virtues of Har Har Mahadev!
28.
उमापति के उर में भक्ति ।
जन्म-जन्म मिले मुक्ति शक्ति ॥
Umaapati Ke Ur Mein Bhakti, Janm-Janm Mile Mukti Shakti.
Devotion in the heart of the Lord of Uma (Parvati) — through birth after birth comes the power of liberation.
29.
दाता दीनबंधु दयाशील ।
सुख दुख सम हैं भोले शील ॥
Daata Deenbandhu Dayaasheel, Sukh Dukh Sam Hain Bhole Sheel.
The giver, friend of the poor, compassionate by nature — Bholenath (the innocent one) is equal in happiness and sorrow.
30.
भूत प्रेत कछु करे न बाधा ।
जो नित जपे महादेव की साधा ॥
Bhoot Pret Kachhu Kare Na Baadhaa, Jo Nit Jape Mahaadev Ki Saadha.
No ghost or spirit can cause harm to one who daily practices the worship of Mahadev.
31.
गौरी पुत्र गणनायक तुम ।
गणपति विघ्न हर्ता हम ॥
Gauri Putr Ganaanaayak Tum, Ganapati Vighna Hartaa Ham.
You are the father of Gauri's son, Ganesha — the lord of all groups, the remover of obstacles.
32.
श्रावण में शिव पूजन करिये ।
लाखों दोष जन्म के हरिये ॥
Shraavan Mein Shiv Poojan Kariye, Laakhon Dosh Janm Ke Hariye.
Perform Shiva puja during the month of Shravan and millions of birth-sins are erased.
33.
काशी में शिव अंतकाल मिलें ।
तारत तरण मंत्र कान दें ॥
Kaashi Mein Shiv Antakaal Milen, Taarat Taran Mantr Kaan Den.
In Kashi (Varanasi), Shiva meets the dying and whispers the Taraka mantra (liberating mantra) in their ears.
34.
पशुपतिनाथ कृपा करो अब ।
हर संकट हर लो प्रभु जब ॥
Pashupatinaath Kripaa Karo Ab, Har Sankat Har Lo Prabhu Jab.
O Pashupati (lord of all creatures), show your grace now; O Lord, remove all troubles.
35.
बारह ज्योतिर्लिंग जग जानें ।
भोलेनाथ को हम पहचानें ॥
Baarah Jyotirlinga Jag Jaanen, Bholenaat Ko Ham Pahachaanen.
The world knows the twelve Jyotirlingas; through them we recognize Bholenath.
36.
सोमनाथ मल्लिकार्जुन भारी ।
महाकाल उज्जैन बिहारी ॥
Somnaath Mallikarjun Bhaari, Mahakaal Ujjain Bihaari.
Somnath, Mallikarjuna — the great Mahakal who sports in Ujjain.
37.
केदारनाथ विश्वनाथ भोले ।
त्र्यम्बकेश्वर वैद्यनाथ डोले ॥
Kedaarnaath Vishwanaath Bhole, Tryambakeshwar Vaidyanaath Dole.
Kedarnath, Vishwanath the innocent one, Tryambakeshwar, Vaidyanath — all his divine forms.
38.
रामेश्वर घृष्णेश्वर स्वामी ।
नागेश्वर अमरेश्वर नामी ॥
Raameshwar Ghrishneshwar Swami, Naageshwar Amareshwar Naami.
Rameshwar, Ghrishneshwar, the renowned Nageshwar and Amareshwar.
39.
इन सब में शिव शंकर बसते ।
भक्तों के मन की बाधा हरते ॥
In Sab Mein Shiv Shankar Baste, Bhakton Ke Man Ki Baadhaa Harte.
Shiva Shankar dwells in all of these; he removes all troubles from the minds of devotees.
40.
जो नर शिव चालीसा गावे ।
वह परम पद निश्चय पावे ॥
Jo Nar Shiv Chaalisaa Gaave, Vah Param Pad Nishchay Paave.
Whoever sings this Shiv Chalisa shall certainly attain the supreme state.
शिव चालीसा पाठ कर, करे शिव जप नित्य ।
त्रिविध ताप निवारहि, होय मुक्ति का सत्य ॥
Shiv Chaalisaa Paath Kar, Kare Shiv Jap Nitya,
Trividh Taap Nivaarhie, Hoy Mukti Ka Satya.
Reciting the Shiv Chalisa and performing daily japa (repetition) of Shiva's name removes the three types of sorrow (adhibhautika, adhidaivika, adhyatmika — physical, divine, and spiritual) and liberation truly comes.
Shiva's twelve self-manifested light-lingas (Jyotirlingas):