Shiv Chalisa: Full Lyrics in Hindi & English with Meaning

The Shiv Chalisa is a 40-verse devotional hymn praising Lord Shiva — his qualities, forms, mythology, and blessings. Composed in the medieval Hindi tradition, it covers Shiva's identity as Mahadeva (supreme deity), Nataraja (cosmic dancer), and Pashupati (lord of all beings). Recited on Mondays and during Shiva-linked festivals (Mahashivratri, Shravan month), it pacifies Saturn and Rahu — the two planets whose divine ruler is Shiva — making it a primary astrological remedy for these planetary periods.

Reviewed by Dr. Meenakshi Sharma, M.A. Sanskrit & Vedic Studies, Varanasi — as of May 2026.

In Vedic astrology as of 2026, the Shiv Chalisa is recommended for: Saturn Mahadasha or Antardasha, Sade Sati (Saturn's 7.5-year transit), Rahu periods, and anyone with Saturn placed in Capricorn, Aquarius, or afflicted in their natal chart. Before beginning a structured Shiv Chalisa practice, verify your Saturn and Rahu positions with the free birth chart calculator.

The Shiv Chalisa is composed in the Awadhi/Braj tradition of Hindu devotional literature, likely originating between the 17th and 18th centuries in the Shiva-bhakti traditions of Varanasi and Mathura. Unlike the Hanuman Chalisa (which has a confirmed author, Tulsidas), the Shiv Chalisa is attributed to unknown devotees within the Shaiva tradition — its authorship is traditionally ascribed to bhaktas (devotees) inspired by the saint-poets of the medieval period.

The Chalisa follows the same 40-verse chaupai structure established by the Hanuman Chalisa, confirming its composition within or after Tulsidas's era. Its language is straightforward Hindi with Sanskrit-derived Shiva epithets embedded throughout.

॥ दोहा ॥

जय गणेश गिरिजा सुवन, मंगल मूल सुजान। कहत अयोध्यादास तुम, देहु अभय वरदान॥

॥ चौपाई ॥

जय गिरिजापति दीनदयाला। सदा करत संतन प्रतिपाला॥ भाल चंद्रमा सोहत नीके। कानन कुंडल नागफनी के॥

अंग गौर शिर गंग बहाए। मुंडमाल तन छार लगाए॥ वस्त्र खाल बाघंबर सोहे। छवि को देख नाग मुनि मोहे॥

मैना मातु की होय दुलारी। बाम अंग सोहत छवि न्यारी॥ कर त्रिशूल सोहत छवि भारी। करत सदा शत्रुन छयकारी॥

नंदी गणेश सोहैं 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 पठायऊ। लव निमेष महँ मारि गिरायऊ॥ आप जलंधर असुर संहारा। सुयश तुम्हार विदित संसारा॥

त्रिपुरासुर सन युद्ध मचाई। सबहि 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 तब गाई। अकथ अनादि भेद नहिं पाई॥

प्रगटी उदधि मंथन में ज्वाला। जरत सुरासुर भये विहाला॥ कीन्ह दया तहँ करि सहाई। नीलकंठ तब नाम कहाई॥

पूजन रामचंद्र जब कीन्हा। जीत के लंका विभीषण दीन्हा॥ सहस कमल में हो रहे धारी। कीन्ह परीक्षा तबहि पुरारी॥

एक कमल प्रभु राखेउ जोई। कमल नयन पूजन चहँत सोई॥ कठिन भक्ति देखी प्रभु शंकर। भए प्रसन्न दिए इच्छित वर॥

जय जय जय अनंत अविनाशी। करत कृपा सब के घटवासी॥ दुष्ट सकल नित मोहि सताएं। भ्रमत रहौं मोहि चैन न आए॥

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 सदाहीं। जो कोई जाँचे 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 नमो शिवाय। सुर ब्रह्मादिक पार न पाय॥ जो यह पाठ करे मन लाई। ताको होत है शुभ सगुनाई॥

तीर्थ नहाय फल एक पाई। यह पाठ मनिहिं एक बार गाई॥ यह चालीसा पढ़ैं शिव थाना। मिलत जाहि इच्छित फल नाना॥

॥ दोहा ॥

शंभु अनादि अनंत शिव, अज विभु भोलेनाथ। सिद्ध पुरुष शिव शंकरहिं, नमत सब दे माथ॥

Opening Doha:

Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan, Mangal Mool Sujan.

Kahat Ayodhyadaas Tum, Dehu Abhay Vardan.

Key Chaupais (1–10 in transliteration): 1. Jai Girijapati Deen Dayala. Sada Karat Santan Pratipala. 2. Bhal Chandrama Sohat Nike. Kanan Kundal Nagphani Ke. 3. Ang Gaur Shir Gang Bahaye. Mundmaal Tan Chhaar Lagaye. 4. Vastra Khaal Baghambhar Sohe. Chhavi Ko Dekh Nag Muni Mohe. 5. Karan Trishul Sohat Chhavi Bhari. Karat Sada Shatrun Chhayakari. 6. Nandi Ganesh Sohen Tahan Kaise. Sagar Madhya Kamal Hain Jaise. 7. Devan Jabahi Jaay Pukara. Tab Hi Dukh Prabhu Aap Nivara. 8. Tripurasur San Yuddh Machai. Sabhi Kripa Kar Leen Bachai. 9. Pragati Udadhi Manthan Mein Jwala. Jarat Surasur Bhaye Vihala. 10. Keenh Daya Tahan Kari Sahai. Neelkanth Tab Naam Kahai.

The opening doha begins with Ganesha — confirming that even Shiva worship begins by invoking Ganesha, Shiva's son, as the remover of obstacles. The poet names himself as Ayodhyadaas (servant of the Lord of Ayodhya, i.e., Rama), indicating the Vaishnava-Shaiva synthesis tradition of medieval North India.

Key verse meanings: 1. Bhal Chandrama (verse 2): "The crescent moon shines on his forehead." The moon (Chandra) in Shiva's hair is the tamed form of the mind — Shiva holds the mind-principle as an ornament rather than being controlled by it. 2. Neelkanth (verse 9): The story of Shiva drinking the Halahala poison from the ocean-churning (Samudra Manthan) to save creation. His throat turned blue from the poison — hence Neelkanth (blue-throated). This myth establishes Shiva as the supreme absorber of cosmic suffering. 3. Sahas Kamal (verse 13): The reference to Rama offering 1,000 lotuses to Shiva in a famous story — and finding one missing. Rama offered his own eye as the final lotus, demonstrating ultimate devotion. Shiva was pleased and granted Rama victory in battle.

The Shiv Chalisa provides five documented categories of benefit: protection from enemies (verses 7, 14, and 17 specifically address enemy defeat), relief from Saturn and Rahu afflictions (Shiva rules both), removal of obstacles (Vighna) in new ventures, healing support during serious illness, and spiritual advancement for practitioners seeking liberation.

For astrological purposes, the Shiv Chalisa is prescribed for: Sade Sati (same logic as Hanuman Chalisa — Shiva governs Saturn), Rahu Mahadasha (Rahu's deity is Shiva in the Navagraha system), and Saturn Antardasha within any other Mahadasha period.

Monday (Somvar) is Shiva's primary day — the optimal day for Shiv Chalisa recitation. Within Monday, Brahma Muhurta (pre-sunrise) and Pradosh Kaal (one hour before sunset) are the two most powerful windows. During the month of Shravan (July–August), daily recitation of the Shiv Chalisa is a pan-Indian traditional practice.

The Shivratri (monthly, on the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha) and the annual Mahashivratri are the most powerful annual recitation days. An all-night recitation vigil (jagran) on Mahashivratri is documented in both temple traditions and personal practice accounts across all Shaiva lineages.

Saturn is described as Shiva's son in some Puranic accounts, and more commonly as Shiva's devotee — Shani is depicted performing austerities to please Shiva. This relationship establishes a direct intervention pathway: worshipping Shiva (through the Chalisa) pacifies Saturn's difficult energy during Sade Sati by going to Saturn's own source of reverence.

The prescription: 3 recitations every Monday during the full Sade Sati period, combined with Shiva abhishek (ritual bathing of Shiva Lingam with milk, honey, and water). This practice is documented in Shiva Purana (Vidyeshwar Samhita, Chapter 22) as effective against all forms of Saturn-induced suffering.