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श्री काली चालीसा Meaning — Line by Line

श्री काली चालीसा

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of श्री काली चालीसा with its Hindi meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

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  1. Doha 1. Jayakali kalimalaharana, mahima agama apara
  2. Doha 2. Ari mada mana mitavana hari
  3. Chaupai 1. Ashtabhuji sukhadayaka mata
  4. Chaupai 2. Bhala vishala mukuta chhavi chhajai
  5. Chaupai 3. Duje hatha lie madhu pyala
  6. Chaupai 4. Chauthe khappara khadga kara panche
  7. Chaupai 5. Saptama kara damakata asi pyari
  8. Chaupai 6. Ashtama kara bhaktana vara data
  9. Chaupai 7. Bhaktana mem anurakta bhavani
  10. Chaupai 8. Mahashakti ati prabala punita
  11. Chaupai 9. Patita tarini he jaga palaka
  12. Chaupai 10. Shesha suresha na pavata para
  13. Chaupai 11. Tuma samana data nahim duja
  14. Chaupai 12. Rupa bhayankara jaba tuma dhara
  15. Chaupai 13. Nama anekana mata tumhare
  16. Chaupai 14. Kali ke kashta kaleshana harani
  17. Chaupai 15. Mahima agama veda yasha gavaim
  18. Chaupai 16. Bhu para bhara badhyau jaba bhari
  19. Chaupai 17. Adi anadi abhaya varadata
  20. Chaupai 18. Kusamaya nama tumharau linha
  21. Chaupai 19. Dhyana dharem shruti shesha suresha
  22. Chaupai 20. Kalua bhaimrom sanga tumhare
  23. Chaupai 21. Sevaka langura rahata agari
  24. Chaupai 22. Treta mem raghuvara hita ai
  25. Chaupai 23. Khela rana ka khela nirala
  26. Chaupai 24. Raudra rupa lakhi danava bhage
  27. Chaupai 25. Taba aisau tamasa chadha़ ayo
  28. Chaupai 26. Ye balaka lakhi shankara ae
  29. Chaupai 27. Taba mukha jibha nikara jo ai
  30. Chaupai 28. Badhyo mahishasura mada bhari
  31. Chaupai 29. Karuna pukara suni bhaktana ki
  32. Chaupai 30. Taba pragati nija saina sameta
  33. Chaupai 31. Shumbha nishumbha hane chhana mahim
  34. Chaupai 32. Mana mathanahari khala dala ke
  35. Chaupai 33. Dina vihina karaim nita seva
  36. Chaupai 34. Sankata mem jo sumirana karahim
  37. Chaupai 35. Prema sahita jo kiratigavaim
  38. Chaupai 36. Kali chalisa jo padha़him
  39. Chaupai 37. Daya drishti herau jagadamba
  40. Chaupai 38. Karahu matu bhaktana rakhavali
  41. Chaupai 39. Sevaka dina anatha anari
  42. Closing Doha. Prema sahita jo kare, kali chalisa patha
Doha 1#

Jayakali kalimalaharana, mahima agama apara

जयकाली कलिमलहरण, महिमा अगम अपार महिष मर्दिनी कालिका , देहु अभय अपार

Jayakali kalimalaharana, mahima agama apara Mahisha mardini kalika , dehu abhaya apara

MeaningHail Kali, remover of the impurities of the dark age, whose glory is unfathomable and boundless! O Kalika, slayer of the buffalo-demon Mahisha, grant me boundless fearlessness.

Doha 2#

Ari mada mana mitavana hari

अरि मद मान मिटावन हारी मुण्डमाल गल सोहत प्यारी

Ari mada mana mitavana hari Mundamala gala sohata pyari

MeaningYou who destroy the pride and arrogance of the foe; a garland of skulls adorns your neck, O beloved Mother.

Chaupai 1#

Ashtabhuji sukhadayaka mata

अष्टभुजी सुखदायक माता दुष्टदलन जग में विख्याता

Ashtabhuji sukhadayaka mata Dushtadalana jaga mem vikhyata

MeaningEight-armed Mother, giver of joy, renowned throughout the world as the crusher of the wicked.

Chaupai 2#

Bhala vishala mukuta chhavi chhajai

भाल विशाल मुकुट छवि छाजै कर में शीश शत्रु का साजै

Bhala vishala mukuta chhavi chhajai Kara mem shisha shatru ka sajai

MeaningUpon your broad brow a crown shines in beauty; in one hand you hold the severed head of the enemy.

Chaupai 3#

Duje hatha lie madhu pyala

दूजे हाथ लिए मधु प्याला हाथ तीसरे सोहत भाला

Duje hatha lie madhu pyala Hatha tisare sohata bhala

MeaningIn your second hand you hold a cup of wine; in your third hand gleams a spear.

Chaupai 4#

Chauthe khappara khadga kara panche

चौथे खप्पर खड्ग कर पाञ्चे छठे त्रिशूल शत्रु बल जाञ्चे

Chauthe khappara khadga kara panche Chhathe trishula shatru bala janche

MeaningIn the fourth a skull-bowl, in the fifth a sword; with the trident in the sixth you put the enemy's strength to the test.

Chaupai 5#

Saptama kara damakata asi pyari

सप्तम कर दमकत असि प्यारी शोभा अद्भुत मात तुम्हारी

Saptama kara damakata asi pyari Shobha adbhuta mata tumhari

MeaningIn your seventh hand glitters the beloved sword; wondrous is your splendour, O Mother.

Chaupai 6#

Ashtama kara bhaktana vara data

अष्टम कर भक्तन वर दाता जग मनहरण रूप ये माता

Ashtama kara bhaktana vara data Jaga manaharana rupa ye mata

MeaningYour eighth hand bestows boons upon your devotees; this form of yours, O Mother, enchants the whole world.

Chaupai 7#

Bhaktana mem anurakta bhavani

भक्तन में अनुरक्त भवानी निशदिन रटें ऋषि-मुनि ज्ञानी

Bhaktana mem anurakta bhavani Nishadina ratem rishi-muni jnani

MeaningO Bhavani, devoted to your devotees, whom the sages, seers and the wise repeat by day and night.

Chaupai 8#

Mahashakti ati prabala punita

महशक्ति अति प्रबल पुनीता तू ही काली तू ही सीता

Mahashakti ati prabala punita Tu hi kali tu hi sita

MeaningGreat Power (Mahashakti), most mighty and holy, you alone are Kali and you alone are Sita.

Chaupai 9#

Patita tarini he jaga palaka

पतित तारिणी हे जग पालक कल्याणी पापीकुल घालक

Patita tarini he jaga palaka Kalyani papikula ghalaka

MeaningRedeemer of the fallen, O sustainer of the world; auspicious Kalyani, destroyer of the whole brood of sinners.

Chaupai 10#

Shesha suresha na pavata para

शेष सुरेश पावत पारा गौरी रूप धर्यो इक बारा

Shesha suresha na pavata para Gauri rupa dharyo ika bara

MeaningNeither Shesha nor Indra, lord of the gods, can find your limit; once you assumed the fair form of Gauri.

Chaupai 11#

Tuma samana data nahim duja

तुम समान दाता नहिं दूजा विधिवत करें भक्तजन पूजा

Tuma samana data nahim duja Vidhivata karem bhaktajana puja

MeaningThere is no other giver equal to you; your devotees worship you according to the sacred rites.

Chaupai 12#

Rupa bhayankara jaba tuma dhara

रूप भयङ्कर जब तुम धारा दुष्टदलन कीन्हेहु संहारा

Rupa bhayankara jaba tuma dhara Dushtadalana kinhehu samhara

MeaningWhen you assumed your terrifying form, you crushed the wicked and wrought their utter destruction.

Chaupai 13#

Nama anekana mata tumhare

नाम अनेकन मात तुम्हारे भक्तजनों के सङ्कट टारे

Nama anekana mata tumhare Bhaktajanom ke sankata tare

MeaningMany are your names, O Mother; you ward off every calamity of your devotees.

Chaupai 14#

Kali ke kashta kaleshana harani

कलि के कष्ट कलेशन हरनी भव भय मोचन मङ्गल करनी

Kali ke kashta kaleshana harani Bhava bhaya mochana mangala karani

MeaningRemover of the troubles and afflictions of the Kali age; releaser from the fear of worldly existence, doer of all that is auspicious.

Chaupai 15#

Mahima agama veda yasha gavaim

महिमा अगम वेद यश गावैं नारद शारद पार पावैं

Mahima agama veda yasha gavaim Narada sharada para na pavaim

MeaningYour glory is unfathomable; the Vedas sing your fame; even Narada and Sharada (Saraswati) cannot reach your far shore.

Chaupai 16#

Bhu para bhara badhyau jaba bhari

भू पर भार बढ्यौ जब भारी तब तब तुम प्रकटीं महतारी

Bhu para bhara badhyau jaba bhari Taba taba tuma prakatim mahatari

MeaningWhenever the burden upon the earth grew heavy, then and again you became manifest, O Mother.

Chaupai 17#

Adi anadi abhaya varadata

आदि अनादि अभय वरदाता विश्वविदित भव सङ्कट त्राता

Adi anadi abhaya varadata Vishvavidita bhava sankata trata

MeaningBeginning and beginningless, giver of the boon of fearlessness; known throughout the universe as the saviour from the perils of existence.

Chaupai 18#

Kusamaya nama tumharau linha

कुसमय नाम तुम्हारौ लीन्हा उसको सदा अभय वर दीन्हा

Kusamaya nama tumharau linha Usako sada abhaya vara dinha

MeaningWhoever took your name in a time of distress, to him you ever granted the boon of fearlessness.

Chaupai 19#

Dhyana dharem shruti shesha suresha

ध्यान धरें श्रुति शेष सुरेशा काल रूप लखि तुमरो भेषा

Dhyana dharem shruti shesha suresha Kala rupa lakhi tumaro bhesha

MeaningThe Vedas, Shesha and Indra meditate upon you, beholding your guise in the very form of Time (Kala).

Chaupai 20#

Kalua bhaimrom sanga tumhare

कलुआ भैंरों सङ्ग तुम्हारे अरि हित रूप भयानक धारे

Kalua bhaimrom sanga tumhare Ari hita rupa bhayanaka dhare

MeaningKalua and Bhairava are your companions; to destroy the enemy you assume a fearsome form.

Chaupai 21#

Sevaka langura rahata agari

सेवक लाङ्गुर रहत अगारी चौसठ जोगन आज्ञाकारी

Sevaka langura rahata agari Chausatha jogana ajnakari

MeaningYour servant Langur (Hanuman) stands ever before you; the sixty-four Yoginis are obedient to your command.

Chaupai 22#

Treta mem raghuvara hita ai

त्रेता में रघुवर हित आई दशकन्धर की सैन नसाई

Treta mem raghuvara hita ai Dashakandhara ki saina nasai

MeaningIn the Treta age you came for the sake of Raghuvara (Rama), and destroyed the army of the ten-headed Ravana.

Chaupai 23#

Khela rana ka khela nirala

खेला रण का खेल निराला भरा मांस-मज्जा से प्याला

Khela rana ka khela nirala Bhara mamsa-majja se pyala

MeaningYou played the wondrous game of battle, and filled your bowl with flesh and marrow.

Chaupai 24#

Raudra rupa lakhi danava bhage

रौद्र रूप लखि दानव भागे कियौ गवन भवन निज त्यागे

Raudra rupa lakhi danava bhage Kiyau gavana bhavana nija tyage

MeaningBeholding your furious form, the demons fled, abandoning their own dwellings in flight.

Chaupai 25#

Taba aisau tamasa chadha़ ayo

तब ऐसौ तामस चढ़ आयो स्वजन विजन को भेद भुलायो

Taba aisau tamasa chadha़ ayo Svajana vijana ko bheda bhulayo

MeaningThen such a dark fury rose up in you that you forgot the difference between your own people and strangers.

Chaupai 26#

Ye balaka lakhi shankara ae

ये बालक लखि शङ्कर आए राह रोक चरनन में धाए

Ye balaka lakhi shankara ae Raha roka charanana mem dhae

MeaningSeeing this, Shankara (Shiva) came and, blocking your path, threw himself down at your feet.

Chaupai 27#

Taba mukha jibha nikara jo ai

तब मुख जीभ निकर जो आई यही रूप प्रचलित है माई

Taba mukha jibha nikara jo ai Yahi rupa prachalita hai mai

MeaningThen your tongue shot out from your mouth (in startled shame at treading on Shiva); this is the form, O Mother, that is famed the world over.

Chaupai 28#

Badhyo mahishasura mada bhari

बाढ्यो महिषासुर मद भारी पीड़इत किए सकल नर-नारी

Badhyo mahishasura mada bhari Pida़ita kie sakala nara-nari

MeaningThe buffalo-demon Mahishasura, swollen with great arrogance, tormented every man and woman.

Chaupai 29#

Karuna pukara suni bhaktana ki

करूण पुकार सुनी भक्तन की पीर मिटावन हित जन-जन की

Karuna pukara suni bhaktana ki Pira mitavana hita jana-jana ki

MeaningYou heard the piteous cry of your devotees, to wipe away the suffering of each and every soul.

Chaupai 30#

Taba pragati nija saina sameta

तब प्रगटी निज सैन समेता नाम पड़ा मां महिष विजेता

Taba pragati nija saina sameta Nama pada़a mam mahisha vijeta

MeaningThen you appeared together with your own host; and your name, O Mother, became 'Conqueror of Mahisha'.

Chaupai 31#

Shumbha nishumbha hane chhana mahim

शुम्भ निशुम्भ हने छन माहीं तुम सम जग दूसर कौ नाहीं

Shumbha nishumbha hane chhana mahim Tuma sama jaga dusara kau nahim

MeaningYou slew Shumbha and Nishumbha in an instant; there is no other in the world equal to you.

Chaupai 32#

Mana mathanahari khala dala ke

मान मथनहारी खल दल के सदा सहायक भक्त विकल के

Mana mathanahari khala dala ke Sada sahayaka bhakta vikala ke

MeaningCrusher of the pride of the hosts of the wicked; ever the helper of the devotee in distress.

Chaupai 33#

Dina vihina karaim nita seva

दीन विहीन करैं नित सेवा पावैं मनवाञ्छित फल मेवा

Dina vihina karaim nita seva Pavaim manavanchhita phala meva

MeaningThe humble and destitute who serve you daily obtain the cherished fruit of their heart's desire.

Chaupai 34#

Sankata mem jo sumirana karahim

सङ्कट में जो सुमिरन करहीं उनके कष्ट मातु तुम हरहीं

Sankata mem jo sumirana karahim Unake kashta matu tuma harahim

MeaningThose who remember you in calamity, their sufferings, O Mother, you take away.

Chaupai 35#

Prema sahita jo kiratigavaim

प्रेम सहित जो कीरतिगावैं भव बन्धन सों मुक्ती पावैं

Prema sahita jo kiratigavaim Bhava bandhana som mukti pavaim

MeaningThose who sing your glory with love attain release from the bonds of worldly existence.

Chaupai 36#

Kali chalisa jo padha़him

काली चालीसा जो पढ़हीं स्वर्गलोक बिनु बन्धन चढ़हीं

Kali chalisa jo padha़him Svargaloka binu bandhana chadha़him

MeaningThose who read the Kali Chalisa ascend to the heavenly realm, free of all bondage.

Chaupai 37#

Daya drishti herau jagadamba

दया दृष्टि हेरौ जगदम्बा केहि कारणमां कियौ विलम्बा

Daya drishti herau jagadamba Kehi karanamam kiyau vilamba

MeaningCast your glance of compassion upon me, O Jagadamba; for what reason, O Mother, do you delay?

Chaupai 38#

Karahu matu bhaktana rakhavali

करहु मातु भक्तन रखवाली जयति जयति काली कङ्काली

Karahu matu bhaktana rakhavali Jayati jayati kali kankali

MeaningProtect your devotees, O Mother; victory, victory to Kali, the skeletal one (Kankali)!

Chaupai 39#

Sevaka dina anatha anari

सेवक दीन अनाथ अनारी। भक्तिभाव युति शरण तुम्हारी

Sevaka dina anatha anari Bhaktibhava yuti sharana tumhari

MeaningYour servant is humble, orphaned and helpless; with a heart full of devotion he takes refuge in you.

Closing Doha#

Prema sahita jo kare, kali chalisa patha

प्रेम सहित जो करे, काली चालीसा पाठ तिनकी पूरन कामना, होय सकल जग ठाठ

Prema sahita jo kare, kali chalisa patha Tinaki purana kamana, hoya sakala jaga thatha

MeaningWhoever recites the Kali Chalisa with love, all their desires are fulfilled, and the whole splendour of the world is theirs.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

काली
Kali
The fierce, dark form of the Goddess (Shakti), destroyer of evil and of the ego, a manifestation of Durga
महिष मर्दिनी
Mahisha Mardini
'Slayer of the buffalo-demon Mahishasura', a title the Goddess won by destroying him
मुण्डमाल
Mundamala
The garland of severed heads (skulls) worn by Kali, symbolising the destruction of ego
अष्टभुजी
Ashtabhuji
'Eight-armed', describing Kali bearing weapons and the boon-giving gesture in her hands
कङ्काली
Kankali
A fierce name of Kali, the skeletal or bony one, the form of Time that consumes all

Origin & History

Source: Traditional Hindi devotional chalisa

Author: Traditional

Period: Devotional era

Kali is the fierce, dark aspect of the Mother Goddess, born of Durga's wrath to slay the demons that the gods could not. The Chalisa recalls her eight-armed form garlanded with skulls, her slaying of Mahishasura, Shumbha and Nishumbha, and the moment when, unstoppable in her battle-fury, she trod upon Shiva and bit her tongue, the form by which she is known to this day, at once the destroyer of all evil and the granter of fearlessness to her devotees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Kali Chalisa?
It is a forty-verse Hindi hymn in praise of Maa Kali, the fierce form of the Mother Goddess. It describes her eight-armed form and her deeds and is recited for protection, courage, and the destruction of fear, enemies and negativity.
Who is Maa Kali?
Maa Kali is the fierce, dark manifestation of the Goddess (Shakti, a form of Durga / Parvati) who destroys demons, evil and the ego. Garlanded with skulls and bearing weapons, she is at once terrifying to evil and infinitely compassionate to her devotees, the Mother who grants fearlessness.
When should the Kali Chalisa be recited?
It is especially recited at night, on the Amavasya (new-moon) nights and on Kali Puja, during Navratri (notably the night of Kali on Maha Ashtami), and on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It may also be recited daily for protection.
Why does Kali have her tongue out in images?
The Chalisa recalls that in her battle-fury Kali could not be stopped until Shiva lay in her path; when her foot touched her own lord, she bit her tongue in startled reverence. This is the famous form of Kali with her tongue out, expressing the check of her fury by devotion.
What is the difference between the Kali Chalisa and the Durga Chalisa?
Both praise the Mother Goddess, but the Kali Chalisa is devoted to her fierce form, Maa Kali, the destroyer of evil and fear, while the Durga Chalisa praises Durga in her many forms. Devotees of Shakti often recite both, especially during Navratri and Kali Puja.

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