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hanumanhanuman-chalisachaupaitulsidas

Jai Hanuman Gyan Gun Sagar, Jai Kapis Tihun Lok Ujagar

जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर, जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Tuesday and Saturday mornings, or at the beginning of any Hanuman prayer or the full Chalisa·📜 Hanuman Chalisa (opening chaupai, verse 1)

Also known as: jai kapis tihun lok ujagar · jai hanuman gyan gun sagar · jai hanuman gyan gun sagar jai kapis tihun lok ujagar · hanuman chalisa first chaupai · jai hanuman gnan gun sagar

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Meaning

This is the opening chaupai of the Hanuman Chalisa, the very first verse of praise after the two introductory dohas. It hails Hanuman as 'Gyan Gun Sagar' — the boundless ocean of wisdom and virtue — and as 'Kapis', the lord of the monkeys whose glory illumines all three worlds ('Tihun Lok Ujagar'). Chanted on its own as a victorious invocation, it sets the devotional tone for the entire Chalisa and is among the most recognised lines in all of Hindu prayer.

Origin & Story

Hanuman Chalisa (opening chaupai, verse 1) · Tulsidas · 16th century CE

Goswami Tulsidas, the great saint-poet who composed the Ramcharitmanas, wrote the Hanuman Chalisa in Awadhi as forty verses (chaupais) framed by introductory and closing dohas. After the two opening dohas in which he purifies his mind and prays for strength, wisdom and learning, he begins the hymn proper with this triumphant salutation, hailing Hanuman as the ocean of wisdom and the illuminator of the three worlds.

As told in scripture

Devotees hold that beginning the Chalisa with this jaikara to the 'ocean of wisdom' itself sharpens the intellect; many students and seekers recite this single line before study, trusting Hanuman, the gyan gun sagar, to grant clarity and remove confusion.

The Mantra

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जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर। जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर॥

Jai Hanuman Gyan Gun Sagar. Jai Kapis Tihun Lok Ujagar.

Meaning:Victory to you, O Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue! Victory to you, O Lord of the monkeys (Kapis), who illumines all the three worlds!

Word-by-Word Meaning

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जय🔊jaivictory, glory, hail
हनुमान🔊HanumanLord Hanuman, the son of the wind-god
ज्ञान🔊gyanknowledge, wisdom
गुन🔊gunvirtues, good qualities
सागर🔊sagarocean — i.e. an ocean of wisdom and virtues
जय🔊jaivictory, glory
कपीस🔊kapislord of the monkeys (kapi + isha)
तिहुँ🔊tihunof the three (worlds)
लोक🔊lokworlds, realms
उजागर🔊ujagarilluminator, the one who makes radiant / renowned

Benefits of Chanting Jai Hanuman Gyan Gun Sagar, Jai Kapis Tihun Lok Ujagar

Invokes Hanuman as the ocean of wisdom — chanted to seek clarity of intellect and knowledge

An auspicious victorious opening (mangalacharan) to begin any Hanuman worship

Fills the mind with devotion and confidence at the very start of recitation

Calling Hanuman 'Kapis' and 'Tihun Lok Ujagar' aligns the devotee with his all-pervading glory

Frequently chanted on its own as a jaikara (victory cry) at temples and processions

Removes dullness of mind and awakens enthusiasm for spiritual study

How to Chant Jai Hanuman Gyan Gun Sagar, Jai Kapis Tihun Lok Ujagar

Repetitions11times
Best TimeTuesday and Saturday mornings, or at the beginning of any Hanuman prayer or the full Chalisa

Chant this opening chaupai with a raised, joyful voice as a jaikara to Hanuman. It is ideal as the first line when you begin the complete Hanuman Chalisa, or it may be repeated 11 or 21 times on its own to invoke wisdom and an auspicious start to the day. Sit facing a Hanuman image or the rising sun, fold your hands at 'Jai Hanuman', and let the heart fill with the sense of his boundless wisdom (gyan gun sagar).

Frequently Asked Questions

It means 'Victory to Hanuman, the ocean of wisdom and virtue.' 'Gyan' is knowledge, 'Gun' is virtue, and 'Sagar' is an ocean — so Hanuman is praised as a limitless ocean of both wisdom and good qualities.
'Kapis' means the lord of the monkeys (Hanuman as chief of the Vanaras), and 'Tihun Lok Ujagar' means the one who illumines all three worlds — earth, heaven and the netherworld. Together it salutes Hanuman as a being whose glory shines through the whole universe.
It is the very first chaupai of the Hanuman Chalisa, sung immediately after the two opening dohas ('Shri Guru Charan Saroj Raj' and 'Buddhiheen Tanu Jaanike'). It begins the forty verses of praise.
Yes. Devotees often chant 'Jai Hanuman Gyan Gun Sagar, Jai Kapis Tihun Lok Ujagar' on its own as a victory cry (jaikara) or repeat it as a short invocation for wisdom and an auspicious beginning, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

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