Vishnu Chalisa Meaning — Line by Line
विष्णु चालीसा
Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi
Meaning — Line by Line
Every verse of Vishnu Chalisa with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.
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- Doha 1. Vishnu sunie vinaya, sevaka ki chitalaya
- Doha 2. Namo vishnu bhagavana kharari
- Chaupai 1. Prabala jagata mem shakti tumhari
- Chaupai 2. Sundara rupa manohara surata
- Chaupai 3. Tana para pitambara ati sohata
- Chaupai 4. Shamkha chakra kara gada biraje
- Chaupai 5. Satya dharma mada lobha na gaje
- Chaupai 6. Santabhakta sajjana manaramjana
- Chaupai 7. Sukha upajaya kashta saba bhamjana
- Chaupai 8. Papa kata bhava sindhu utarana
- Chaupai 9. Karata aneka rupa prabhu dharana
- Chaupai 10. Dharani dhenu bana tumahim pukara
- Chaupai 11. Bhara utara asura dala mara
- Chaupai 12. Apa varaha rupa banaya
- Chaupai 13. Dhara matsya tana sindhu banaya
- Chaupai 14. Amilakha asurana dvanda machaya
- Chaupai 15. Devana ko amrita pana karaya
- Chaupai 16. Kurma rupa dhara sindhu majhaya
- Chaupai 17. Shamkara ka tuma phanda chhuda़aya
- Chaupai 18. Vedana ko jaba asura dubaya
- Chaupai 19. Mohita banakara khalahi nachaya
- Chaupai 20. Asura jalamdhara ati baladai
- Chaupai 21. Hara para shiva sakala banai
- Chaupai 22. Sumirana kina tumhem shivarani
- Chaupai 23. Taba tuma bane munishvara jnani
- Chaupai 24. Dekhata tina danuja shaitani
- Chaupai 25. Ho sparsha dharma kshati mani
- Chaupai 26. Tumane dhuru prahalada ubare
- Chaupai 27. Ganika aura ajamila tare
- Chaupai 28. Harahu sakala samtapa hamare
- Chaupai 29. Dekhahun maim nija darasha tumhare
- Chaupai 30. Chahata apaka sevaka darshana
- Chaupai 31. Janum nahim yogya japa pujana
- Chaupai 32. Shiladaya santosha sulakshana
- Chaupai 33. Karahun apaka kisa vidhi pujana
- Chaupai 34. Karahun pranama kauna vidhisumirana
- Chaupai 35. Sura muni karata sada sivakai
- Chaupai 36. Dina dukhina para sada sahai
- Chaupai 37. Papa dosha samtapa nashao
- Chaupai 38. Suta sampati de sukha upajao
- Closing Doha. Nigama sada ye vinaya sunavai
Vishnu sunie vinaya, sevaka ki chitalaya
विष्णु सुनिए विनय, सेवक की चितलाय। कीरत कुछ वर्णन करूँ, दीजै ज्ञान बताय॥
Vishnu sunie vinaya, sevaka ki chitalaya Kirata kuchha varnana karun, dijai jnana bataya
MeaningHear my prayer, O Vishnu, and turn your mind to your servant; I shall sing a little of your glory — grant me, I pray, the wisdom to do so.
Namo vishnu bhagavana kharari
नमो विष्णु भगवान खरारी। कष्ट नशावन अखिल बिहारी॥
Namo vishnu bhagavana kharari Kashta nashavana akhila bihari
MeaningSalutations to Lord Vishnu, the slayer of Khara (the foe of demons), remover of suffering, who pervades and sports through all the worlds.
Prabala jagata mem shakti tumhari
प्रबल जगत में शक्ति तुम्हारी। त्रिभुवन फैल रही उजियारी॥
Prabala jagata mem shakti tumhari Tribhuvana phaila rahi ujiyari
MeaningMighty is your power throughout the world; your radiance has spread across the three realms.
Sundara rupa manohara surata
सुन्दर रूप मनोहर सूरत। सरल स्वभाव मोहनी मूरत॥
Sundara rupa manohara surata Sarala svabhava mohani murata
MeaningBeautiful is your form and enchanting your face; gentle your nature and captivating your image.
Tana para pitambara ati sohata
तन पर पीताम्बर अति सोहत। बैजन्ती माला मन मोहत॥
Tana para pitambara ati sohata Baijanti mala mana mohata
MeaningYellow silk (pitambara) shines splendidly upon your body, and the Vaijayanti garland steals the heart.
Shamkha chakra kara gada biraje
शंख चक्र कर गदा बिराजे। देखत दैत्य असुर दल भाजे॥
Shamkha chakra kara gada biraje Dekhata daitya asura dala bhaje
MeaningConch, discus and mace gleam in your hands; at the very sight the hosts of demons flee.
Satya dharma mada lobha na gaje
सत्य धर्म मद लोभ न गाजे। काम क्रोध मद लोभ न छाजे॥
Satya dharma mada lobha na gaje Kama krodha mada lobha na chhaje
MeaningWhere there is truth and dharma, pride and greed cannot roar; lust, anger, arrogance and greed find no place.
Santabhakta sajjana manaramjana
सन्तभक्त सज्जन मनरंजन। दनुज असुर दुष्टन दल गंजन॥
Santabhakta sajjana manaramjana Danuja asura dushtana dala gamjana
MeaningYou delight the hearts of saints, devotees and the good, and crush the ranks of demons, asuras and the wicked.
Sukha upajaya kashta saba bhamjana
सुख उपजाय कष्ट सब भंजन। दोष मिटाय करत जन सज्जन॥
Sukha upajaya kashta saba bhamjana Dosha mitaya karata jana sajjana
MeaningYou give rise to joy and shatter every sorrow; you wipe away faults and make people virtuous.
Papa kata bhava sindhu utarana
पाप काट भव सिन्धु उतारण। कष्ट नाशकर भक्त उबारण॥
Papa kata bhava sindhu utarana Kashta nashakara bhakta ubarana
MeaningYou cut away sin and ferry souls across the ocean of existence; destroying distress, you save your devotees.
Karata aneka rupa prabhu dharana
करत अनेक रूप प्रभु धारण। केवल आप भक्ति के कारण॥
Karata aneka rupa prabhu dharana Kevala apa bhakti ke karana
MeaningThe Lord assumes many and various forms — solely for the sake of his devotees' love.
Dharani dhenu bana tumahim pukara
धरणि धेनु बन तुमहिं पुकारा। तब तुम रूप राम का धारा॥
Dharani dhenu bana tumahim pukara Taba tuma rupa rama ka dhara
MeaningWhen the Earth, as a cow, cried out to you, you took the form of Rama;
Bhara utara asura dala mara
भार उतार असुर दल मारा। रावण आदिक को संहारा॥
Bhara utara asura dala mara Ravana adika ko samhara
Meaning— and lightening her burden, you destroyed the demon hordes and slew Ravana and the rest.
Apa varaha rupa banaya
आप वाराह रूप बनाया। हिरण्याक्ष को मार गिराया॥
Apa varaha rupa banaya Hiranyaksha ko mara giraya
MeaningYou took the form of the Boar (Varaha) and struck down the demon Hiranyaksha.
Dhara matsya tana sindhu banaya
धर मत्स्य तन सिन्धु बनाया। चौदह रतनन को निकलाया॥
Dhara matsya tana sindhu banaya Chaudaha ratanana ko nikalaya
MeaningAssuming the Fish (Matsya) form you moved through the ocean, and drew out the fourteen jewels.
Amilakha asurana dvanda machaya
अमिलख असुरन द्वन्द मचाया। रूप मोहनी आप दिखाया॥
Amilakha asurana dvanda machaya Rupa mohani apa dikhaya
MeaningWhen the demons stirred up endless strife, you displayed the enchanting Mohini form;
Devana ko amrita pana karaya
देवन को अमृत पान कराया। असुरन को छबि से बहलाया॥
Devana ko amrita pana karaya Asurana ko chhabi se bahalaya
Meaning— you made the gods drink the nectar (amrita), while diverting the demons with your beauty.
Kurma rupa dhara sindhu majhaya
कूर्म रूप धर सिन्धु मझाया। मन्द्राचल गिरि तुरत उठाया॥
Kurma rupa dhara sindhu majhaya Mandrachala giri turata uthaya
MeaningTaking the Tortoise (Kurma) form you steadied the ocean, instantly bearing up Mount Mandara.
Shamkara ka tuma phanda chhuda़aya
शंकर का तुम फन्द छुड़ाया। भस्मासुर को रूप दिखाया॥
Shamkara ka tuma phanda chhuda़aya Bhasmasura ko rupa dikhaya
MeaningYou freed Shankara from the snare and exposed the demon Bhasmasura;
Vedana ko jaba asura dubaya
वेदन को जब असुर डुबाया। कर प्रबन्ध उन्हें ढुँढवाया॥
Vedana ko jaba asura dubaya Kara prabandha unhem dhundhavaya
Meaning— when the asura had hidden the Vedas in the deep, you contrived to have them found.
Mohita banakara khalahi nachaya
मोहित बनकर खलहि नचाया। उसही कर से भस्म कराया॥
Mohita banakara khalahi nachaya Usahi kara se bhasma karaya
MeaningBecoming enchanting (Mohini), you set the wicked one dancing, and by his own hand reduced him to ashes.
Asura jalamdhara ati baladai
असुर जलंधर अति बलदाई। शंकर से उन कीन्ह लड़ाई॥
Asura jalamdhara ati baladai Shamkara se una kinha lada़ai
MeaningThe demon Jalandhara, mighty in strength, waged war against Shankara;
Hara para shiva sakala banai
हार पार शिव सकल बनाई। कीन सती से छल खल जाई॥
Hara para shiva sakala banai Kina sati se chhala khala jai
Meaning— Shiva was hard-pressed on every side, for the villain had deceived Sati through trickery.
Sumirana kina tumhem shivarani
सुमिरन कीन तुम्हें शिवरानी। बतलाई सब विपत कहानी॥
Sumirana kina tumhem shivarani Batalai saba vipata kahani
MeaningShiva's queen (Parvati) remembered you and told you the whole tale of the calamity.
Taba tuma bane munishvara jnani
तब तुम बने मुनीश्वर ज्ञानी। वृन्दा की सब सुरति भुलानी॥
Taba tuma bane munishvara jnani Vrinda ki saba surati bhulani
MeaningThen you became a wise sage and caused Vrinda (Jalandhara's wife) to forget her vigilance;
Dekhata tina danuja shaitani
देखत तीन दनुज शैतानी। वृन्दा आय तुम्हें लपटानी॥
Dekhata tina danuja shaitani Vrinda aya tumhem lapatani
Meaning— seeing the demon's three-fold deceit, Vrinda came and clung to you.
Ho sparsha dharma kshati mani
हो स्पर्श धर्म क्षति मानी। हना असुर उर शिव शैतानी॥
Ho sparsha dharma kshati mani Hana asura ura shiva shaitani
MeaningWhen she felt her chastity was touched, the demon's power was broken and the villain slain by Shiva.
Tumane dhuru prahalada ubare
तुमने धुरू प्रहलाद उबारे। हिरणाकुश आदिक खल मारे॥
Tumane dhuru prahalada ubare Hiranakusha adika khala mare
MeaningYou delivered Dhruva and Prahlada, and slew the wicked Hiranyakashipu and his kind.
Ganika aura ajamila tare
गणिका और अजामिल तारे। बहुत भक्त भव सिन्धु उतारे॥
Ganika aura ajamila tare Bahuta bhakta bhava sindhu utare
MeaningYou redeemed Ganika (the courtesan) and Ajamila, and ferried countless devotees across the sea of existence.
Harahu sakala samtapa hamare
हरहु सकल संताप हमारे। कृपा करहु हरि सिरजन हारे॥
Harahu sakala samtapa hamare Kripa karahu hari sirajana hare
MeaningRemove all our afflictions; show your grace, O Hari, O creator of all.
Dekhahun maim nija darasha tumhare
देखहुँ मैं निज दरश तुम्हारे। दीन बन्धु भक्तन हितकारे॥
Dekhahun maim nija darasha tumhare Dina bandhu bhaktana hitakare
MeaningLet me behold your own vision, O kinsman of the lowly, O benefactor of devotees.
Chahata apaka sevaka darshana
चहत आपका सेवक दर्शन। करहु दया अपनी मधुसूदन॥
Chahata apaka sevaka darshana Karahu daya apani madhusudana
MeaningYour servant longs for your darshan; show your mercy, O Madhusudana.
Janum nahim yogya japa pujana
जानूं नहीं योग्य जप पूजन। होय यज्ञ स्तुति अनुमोदन॥
Janum nahim yogya japa pujana Hoya yajna stuti anumodana
MeaningI know not the worthy way of chanting and worship; may my praise be accepted as if it were a sacrifice.
Shiladaya santosha sulakshana
शीलदया सन्तोष सुलक्षण। विदित नहीं व्रतबोध विलक्षण॥
Shiladaya santosha sulakshana Vidita nahim vratabodha vilakshana
MeaningGood conduct, compassion, contentment and noble traits — the secret of vows and knowledge — I do not truly know.
Karahun apaka kisa vidhi pujana
करहुँ आपका किस विधि पूजन। कुमति विलोक होत दुख भीषण॥
Karahun apaka kisa vidhi pujana Kumati viloka hota dukha bhishana
MeaningBy what method shall I worship you? Beholding my dull wit, dreadful sorrow arises.
Karahun pranama kauna vidhisumirana
करहुँ प्रणाम कौन विधिसुमिरण। कौन भांति मैं करहुँ समर्पण॥
Karahun pranama kauna vidhisumirana Kauna bhamti maim karahun samarpana
MeaningHow shall I bow, by what means remember you, in what manner offer myself?
Sura muni karata sada sivakai
सुर मुनि करत सदा सिवकाई। हर्षित रहत परम गति पाई॥
Sura muni karata sada sivakai Harshita rahata parama gati pai
MeaningGods and sages ever serve Shiva (and you), and remain joyful, having attained the supreme state.
Dina dukhina para sada sahai
दीन दुखिन पर सदा सहाई। निज जन जान लेव अपनाई॥
Dina dukhina para sada sahai Nija jana jana leva apanai
MeaningYou are ever the helper of the poor and suffering; know us as your own and make us yours.
Papa dosha samtapa nashao
पाप दोष संताप नशाओ। भव बन्धन से मुक्त कराओ॥
Papa dosha samtapa nashao Bhava bandhana se mukta karao
MeaningDestroy our sin, faults and affliction, and free us from the bondage of existence.
Suta sampati de sukha upajao
सुत सम्पति दे सुख उपजाओ। निज चरनन का दास बनाओ॥
Suta sampati de sukha upajao Nija charanana ka dasa banao
MeaningGrant children and prosperity and give rise to happiness; make us the servants of your own feet.
Nigama sada ye vinaya sunavai
निगम सदा ये विनय सुनावै। पढ़ै सुनै सो जन सुख पावै॥
Nigama sada ye vinaya sunavai Padha़ai sunai so jana sukha pavai
MeaningThus does Nigam (the devotee/scripture) ever offer this prayer: whoever reads or hears it gains happiness.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
Origin & History
Source: Traditional Hindi devotional hymn
Author: Traditional
Period: Medieval / modern devotional era
The Vishnu Chalisa belongs to the beloved 'chalisa' tradition of forty-verse Hindi hymns — the same tradition as the Hanuman Chalisa. It garlands Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the cosmos, recalling how in age after age he descends in many forms to lighten the Earth's burden, destroy evil and rescue his devotees, from Dhruva and Prahlada to Ajamila and the courtesan Ganika.
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