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