Krishna Chalisa Meaning — Line by Line
कृष्ण चालीसा
Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi
Meaning — Line by Line
Every verse of Krishna Chalisa with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.
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- Doha 1. Bamshi shobhita kara madhura, nila jalada tana shyama
- Doha 2. Jaya manamohana madana chhavi, krishnachandra maharaja
- Chaupai 1. Jaya yadunandana jaya jagavandana
- Chaupai 2. Jaya yashuda suta nanda dulare
- Chaupai 3. Jaya nata-nagara naga nathaiya
- Chaupai 4. Puni nakha para prabhu girivara dharo
- Chaupai 5. Vamshi madhura adhara dhari teri
- Chaupai 6. Ao hari puni makhana chakho
- Chaupai 7. Gola kapola, chibuka arunare
- Chaupai 8. Ramjita rajiva nayana vishala
- Chaupai 9. Kundala shravana pitapata achhe
- Chaupai 10. Nila jalaja sundara tanu sohe
- Chaupai 11. Mastaka tilaka, alaka ghumgharale
- Chaupai 12. Kari paya pana, putanahi tarayo
- Chaupai 13. Madhuvana jalata agni jaba jvala
- Chaupai 14. Surapati jaba braja chadha़yo risai
- Chaupai 15. Lagata-lagata braja chahana bahayo
- Chaupai 16. Lakhi yasuda mana bhrama adhikai
- Chaupai 17. Dushta kamsa ati udhama machayo
- Chaupai 18. Nathi kaliyahim taba tuma linhem
- Chaupai 19. Kari gopina samga rasa vilasa
- Chaupai 20. Ketika maha asura samharayo
- Chaupai 21. Mata-pita ki bandi chhuड़ai
- Chaupai 22. Mahi se mritaka chhahom suta layo
- Chaupai 23. Bhaumasura mura daitya samhari
- Chaupai 24. Dai bhinhim trina chira sahara
- Chaupai 25. Asura bakasura adika marayo
- Chaupai 26. Dina sudama ke duhkha tarayo
- Chaupai 27. Prema ke saga vidura ghara mamge
- Chaupai 28. Lakhi prema ki mahima bhari
- Chaupai 29. Bharata ke paratha ratha hamke
- Chaupai 30. Nija gita ke jnana sunaye
- Chaupai 31. Mira thi aisi matavali
- Chaupai 32. Rana bheja sampa pitari
- Chaupai 33. Nija maya tuma vidhihim dikhayo
- Chaupai 34. Taba shata ninda kari tatkala
- Chaupai 35. Jabahim draupadi tera lagai
- Chaupai 36. Turatahim vasana bane nanandalala
- Chaupai 37. Asa natha ke natha kanhaiya
- Chaupai 38. Sundaradasa asa ura dhari
- Chaupai 39. Natha sakala mama kumati nivaro
- Chaupai 40. Kholo pata aba darshana dijai
- Closing Doha. Ashta siddhi navanidhi phala, lahai padaratha chari
Bamshi shobhita kara madhura, nila jalada tana shyama
बंशी शोभित कर मधुर, नील जलद तन श्याम। अरुण अधर जनु बिम्बा फल, पिताम्बर शुभ साज॥
Bamshi shobhita kara madhura, nila jalada tana shyama Aruna adhara janu bimba phala, pitambara shubha saja
MeaningThe flute graces his sweet hands; his body is dark as a blue rain-cloud; his red lips are like the bimba fruit, and the yellow silk adorns him beautifully.
Jaya manamohana madana chhavi, krishnachandra maharaja
जय मनमोहन मदन छवि, कृष्णचन्द्र महाराज। करहु कृपा हे रवि तनय, राखहु जन की लाज॥
Jaya manamohana madana chhavi, krishnachandra maharaja Karahu kripa he ravi tanaya, rakhahu jana ki laja
MeaningVictory to the mind-enchanting one, lovely as Kamadeva, Krishnachandra the great king! Show your grace, O son of the Sun's realm, and protect the honour of your devotees.
Jaya yadunandana jaya jagavandana
जय यदुनन्दन जय जगवन्दन। जय वसुदेव देवकी नन्दन॥
Jaya yadunandana jaya jagavandana Jaya vasudeva devaki nandana
MeaningVictory, O delight of the Yadus, adored by the world; victory, O son of Vasudeva and Devaki!
Jaya yashuda suta nanda dulare
जय यशुदा सुत नन्द दुलारे। जय प्रभु भक्तन के दृग तारे॥
Jaya yashuda suta nanda dulare Jaya prabhu bhaktana ke driga tare
MeaningVictory, O cherished son of Yashoda and Nanda; victory, O Lord, the very pupils of your devotees' eyes!
Jaya nata-nagara naga nathaiya
जय नट-नागर नाग नथैया। कृष्ण कन्हैया धेनु चरैया॥
Jaya nata-nagara naga nathaiya Krishna kanhaiya dhenu charaiya
MeaningVictory, O graceful actor who subdued the serpent (Kaliya); Krishna Kanhaiya, the cowherd who tends the cattle!
Puni nakha para prabhu girivara dharo
पुनि नख पर प्रभु गिरिवर धारो। आओ दीनन कष्ट निवारो॥
Puni nakha para prabhu girivara dharo Ao dinana kashta nivaro
MeaningAgain, O Lord, you bore the great mountain on your fingernail; come and remove the suffering of the lowly.
Vamshi madhura adhara dhari teri
वंशी मधुर अधर धरी तेरी। होवे पूर्ण मनोरथ मेरो॥
Vamshi madhura adhara dhari teri Hove purna manoratha mero
MeaningYour sweet flute rests upon your lips; let my heart's desire be fulfilled.
Ao hari puni makhana chakho
आओ हरि पुनि माखन चाखो। आज लाज भारत की राखो॥
Ao hari puni makhana chakho Aja laja bharata ki rakho
MeaningCome, O Hari, and once more taste the butter; today preserve the honour of Bharata.
Gola kapola, chibuka arunare
गोल कपोल, चिबुक अरुणारे। मृदु मुस्कान मोहिनी डारे॥
Gola kapola, chibuka arunare Mridu muskana mohini dare
MeaningRound cheeks, a reddish chin, and a tender, enchanting smile;
Ramjita rajiva nayana vishala
रंजित राजिव नयन विशाला। मोर मुकुट वैजयंती माला॥
Ramjita rajiva nayana vishala Mora mukuta vaijayamti mala
Meaning— wide, lovely lotus-like eyes, a peacock-feather crown and the Vaijayanti garland.
Kundala shravana pitapata achhe
कुण्डल श्रवण पीतपट आछे। कटि किंकणी काछन काछे॥
Kundala shravana pitapata achhe Kati kimkani kachhana kachhe
MeaningEarrings at your ears, fine yellow silk, a girdle of tiny bells at your waist;
Nila jalaja sundara tanu sohe
नील जलज सुन्दर तनु सोहे। छवि लखि, सुर नर मुनिमन मोहे॥
Nila jalaja sundara tanu sohe Chhavi lakhi, sura nara munimana mohe
Meaning— your beautiful dark-blue body shines so that gods, men and sages are all enchanted at the sight.
Mastaka tilaka, alaka ghumgharale
मस्तक तिलक, अलक घुंघराले। आओ कृष्ण बांसुरी वाले॥
Mastaka tilaka, alaka ghumgharale Ao krishna bamsuri vale
MeaningA tilak on your brow and curling locks — come, O flute-bearing Krishna!
Kari paya pana, putanahi tarayo
करि पय पान, पुतनहि तारयो। अका बका कागासुर मारयो॥
Kari paya pana, putanahi tarayo Aka baka kagasura marayo
MeaningDrinking her poisoned milk, you delivered Putana; you slew Aghasura, Bakasura and Kakasura.
Madhuvana jalata agni jaba jvala
मधुवन जलत अग्नि जब ज्वाला। भै शीतल, लखितहिं नन्दलाला॥
Madhuvana jalata agni jaba jvala Bhai shitala, lakhitahim nandalala
MeaningWhen the forest of Madhuvan blazed with fire, it grew cool the moment Nandalala looked upon it.
Surapati jaba braja chadha़yo risai
सुरपति जब ब्रज चढ़यो रिसाई। मसूर धार वारि वर्षाई॥
Surapati jaba braja chadha़yo risai Masura dhara vari varshai
MeaningWhen Indra, lord of the gods, rose in anger over Braj and poured down torrents of rain,
Lagata-lagata braja chahana bahayo
लगत-लगत ब्रज चहन बहायो। गोवर्धन नखधारि बचायो॥
Lagata-lagata braja chahana bahayo Govardhana nakhadhari bachayo
Meaning— as Braj was about to be washed away, you saved it by holding up Govardhan on your fingertip.
Lakhi yasuda mana bhrama adhikai
लखि यसुदा मन भ्रम अधिकाई। मुख महं चौदह भुवन दिखाई॥
Lakhi yasuda mana bhrama adhikai Mukha maham chaudaha bhuvana dikhai
MeaningSeeing this, Yashoda's mind filled with wonder — and you showed the fourteen worlds within your mouth.
Dushta kamsa ati udhama machayo
दुष्ट कंस अति उधम मचायो। कोटि कमल जब फूल मंगायो॥
Dushta kamsa ati udhama machayo Koti kamala jaba phula mamgayo
MeaningWhen the wicked Kamsa raised great turmoil and demanded a crore of lotus blooms,
Nathi kaliyahim taba tuma linhem
नाथि कालियहिं तब तुम लीन्हें। चरणचिन्ह दै निर्भय किन्हें॥
Nathi kaliyahim taba tuma linhem Charanachinha dai nirbhaya kinhem
Meaning— you then subdued the serpent Kaliya, and set your footprints upon him, making all fearless.
Kari gopina samga rasa vilasa
करि गोपिन संग रास विलासा। सबकी पूरण करी अभिलाषा॥
Kari gopina samga rasa vilasa Sabaki purana kari abhilasha
MeaningSporting the Rasa dance with the gopis, you fulfilled the longing of every one of them.
Ketika maha asura samharayo
केतिक महा असुर संहारयो। कंसहि केस पकड़ि दै मारयो॥
Ketika maha asura samharayo Kamsahi kesa pakaड़i dai marayo
MeaningYou destroyed so many great demons, and seizing Kamsa by the hair, struck him dead.
Mata-pita ki bandi chhuड़ai
मात-पिता की बन्दि छुड़ाई। उग्रसेन कहं राज दिलाई॥
Mata-pita ki bandi chhuड़ai Ugrasena kaham raja dilai
MeaningYou freed your mother and father from prison and bestowed the kingdom upon Ugrasena.
Mahi se mritaka chhahom suta layo
महि से मृतक छहों सुत लायो। मातु देवकी शोक मिटायो॥
Mahi se mritaka chhahom suta layo Matu devaki shoka mitayo
MeaningYou brought back the six dead sons from the realm of death and ended mother Devaki's grief.
Bhaumasura mura daitya samhari
भौमासुर मुर दैत्य संहारी। लाये षट दश सहसकुमारी॥
Bhaumasura mura daitya samhari Laye shata dasha sahasakumari
MeaningSlaying the demons Bhaumasura and Mura, you brought back the sixteen thousand maidens.
Dai bhinhim trina chira sahara
दै भिन्हीं तृण चीर सहारा। जरासिंधु राक्षस कहं मारा॥
Dai bhinhim trina chira sahara Jarasimdhu rakshasa kaham mara
MeaningGiving even a blade of grass and a piece of cloth as refuge, you slew the demon-king Jarasandha.
Asura bakasura adika marayo
असुर बकासुर आदिक मारयो। भक्तन के तब कष्ट निवारियो॥
Asura bakasura adika marayo Bhaktana ke taba kashta nivariyo
MeaningYou slew Bakasura and other demons, and so removed the sufferings of your devotees.
Dina sudama ke duhkha tarayo
दीन सुदामा के दुःख टारयो। तंदुल तीन मूंठ मुख डारयो॥
Dina sudama ke duhkha tarayo Tamdula tina mumtha mukha darayo
MeaningYou dispelled the sorrow of the poor Sudama, accepting three handfuls of his humble beaten rice.
Prema ke saga vidura ghara mamge
प्रेम के साग विदुर घर मांगे। दुर्योधन के मेवा त्यागे॥
Prema ke saga vidura ghara mamge Duryodhana ke meva tyage
MeaningYou begged for simple greens at Vidura's home and refused Duryodhana's rich delicacies;
Lakhi prema ki mahima bhari
लखि प्रेम की महिमा भारी। ऐसे श्याम दीन हितकारी॥
Lakhi prema ki mahima bhari Aise shyama dina hitakari
Meaning— seeing the greatness of love, such is Shyama, the benefactor of the lowly.
Bharata ke paratha ratha hamke
भारत के पारथ रथ हांके। लिए चक्र कर नहिं बल ताके॥
Bharata ke paratha ratha hamke Lie chakra kara nahim bala take
MeaningIn the war of the Bharatas you drove Partha's (Arjuna's) chariot, taking up the discus though needing no strength.
Nija gita ke jnana sunaye
निज गीता के ज्ञान सुनाये। भक्तन हृदय सुधा वर्षाये॥
Nija gita ke jnana sunaye Bhaktana hridaya sudha varshaye
MeaningYou expounded the wisdom of your Gita, raining nectar upon the hearts of devotees.
Mira thi aisi matavali
मीरा थी ऐसी मतवाली। विष पी गई बजाकर ताली॥
Mira thi aisi matavali Visha pi gai bajakara tali
MeaningMira was so intoxicated with your love that she drank poison clapping in joy;
Rana bheja sampa pitari
राना भेजा सांप पिटारी। शालिग्राम बने बनवारी॥
Rana bheja sampa pitari Shaligrama bane banavari
Meaning— the Rana sent a snake in a basket, but it became, by your grace, a Shaligrama stone.
Nija maya tuma vidhihim dikhayo
निज माया तुम विधिहिं दिखायो। उर ते संशय सकल मिटायो॥
Nija maya tuma vidhihim dikhayo Ura te samshaya sakala mitayo
MeaningYou showed your divine power (Maya) to all, and wiped away every doubt from the heart.
Taba shata ninda kari tatkala
तब शत निन्दा करी तत्काला। जीवन मुक्त भयो शिशुपाला॥
Taba shata ninda kari tatkala Jivana mukta bhayo shishupala
MeaningWhen Shishupala had hurled a hundred insults, he was at once liberated and freed in life.
Jabahim draupadi tera lagai
जबहिं द्रौपदी टेर लगाई। दीनानाथ लाज अब जाई॥
Jabahim draupadi tera lagai Dinanatha laja aba jai
MeaningThe moment Draupadi cried out, 'O Lord of the helpless, now my honour goes!' —
Turatahim vasana bane nanandalala
तुरतहिं वसन बने ननन्दलाला। बढ़े चीर भै अरि मुँह काला॥
Turatahim vasana bane nanandalala Baढ़e chira bhai ari munha kala
Meaning— at once you, Nandalala, became her endless cloth; the garment grew and grew, blackening the faces of her enemies.
Asa natha ke natha kanhaiya
अस नाथ के नाथ कन्हैया। डूबत भंवर बचावत नैया॥
Asa natha ke natha kanhaiya Dubata bhamvara bachavata naiya
MeaningSuch is Kanhaiya, the Lord of lords, who steers the sinking boat through the whirlpool.
Sundaradasa asa ura dhari
सुन्दरदास आस उर धारी। दयादृष्टि कीजै बनवारी॥
Sundaradasa asa ura dhari Dayadrishti kijai banavari
MeaningSundardas, holding hope in his heart, prays: cast your merciful glance, O Banwari.
Natha sakala mama kumati nivaro
नाथ सकल मम कुमति निवारो। क्षमहु बेगि अपराध हमारो॥
Natha sakala mama kumati nivaro Kshamahu begi aparadha hamaro
MeaningO Lord, dispel all my dull-witted ways and quickly forgive my offences.
Kholo pata aba darshana dijai
खोलो पट अब दर्शन दीजै। बोलो कृष्ण कन्हैया की जै॥
Kholo pata aba darshana dijai Bolo krishna kanhaiya ki jai
MeaningOpen the doors and grant me your darshan now; proclaim the victory of Krishna Kanhaiya!
Ashta siddhi navanidhi phala, lahai padaratha chari
अष्ट सिद्धि नवनिधि फल, लहै पदारथ चारि॥
Ashta siddhi navanidhi phala, lahai padaratha chari
MeaningWhoever recites this attains the eight siddhis, the nine treasures (navanidhi) and the four aims of human life.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
Origin & History
Source: Traditional Hindi devotional hymn
Author: Traditional (signed 'Sundardas')
Period: Devotional era
The Krishna Chalisa is a forty-verse Hindi hymn in the popular chalisa tradition. It garlands the dark, flute-playing Lord of Vrindavan, recalling pastime after pastime — lifting Govardhan on a fingertip, dancing upon the serpent Kaliya, multiplying Draupadi's sari, and accepting Sudama's humble handful of rice — as proof that Krishna is ever the friend and saviour of the lowly.
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