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कृष्ण चालीसा Meaning — Line by Line

कृष्ण चालीसा

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

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

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  1. Doha 1. Bamshi shobhita kara madhura, nila jalada tana shyama
  2. Doha 2. Jaya manamohana madana chhavi, krishnachandra maharaja
  3. Chaupai 1. Jaya yadunandana jaya jagavandana
  4. Chaupai 2. Jaya yashuda suta nanda dulare
  5. Chaupai 3. Jaya nata-nagara naga nathaiya
  6. Chaupai 4. Puni nakha para prabhu girivara dharo
  7. Chaupai 5. Vamshi madhura adhara dhari teri
  8. Chaupai 6. Ao hari puni makhana chakho
  9. Chaupai 7. Gola kapola, chibuka arunare
  10. Chaupai 8. Ramjita rajiva nayana vishala
  11. Chaupai 9. Kundala shravana pitapata achhe
  12. Chaupai 10. Nila jalaja sundara tanu sohe
  13. Chaupai 11. Mastaka tilaka, alaka ghumgharale
  14. Chaupai 12. Kari paya pana, putanahi tarayo
  15. Chaupai 13. Madhuvana jalata agni jaba jvala
  16. Chaupai 14. Surapati jaba braja chadha़yo risai
  17. Chaupai 15. Lagata-lagata braja chahana bahayo
  18. Chaupai 16. Lakhi yasuda mana bhrama adhikai
  19. Chaupai 17. Dushta kamsa ati udhama machayo
  20. Chaupai 18. Nathi kaliyahim taba tuma linhem
  21. Chaupai 19. Kari gopina samga rasa vilasa
  22. Chaupai 20. Ketika maha asura samharayo
  23. Chaupai 21. Mata-pita ki bandi chhuड़ai
  24. Chaupai 22. Mahi se mritaka chhahom suta layo
  25. Chaupai 23. Bhaumasura mura daitya samhari
  26. Chaupai 24. Dai bhinhim trina chira sahara
  27. Chaupai 25. Asura bakasura adika marayo
  28. Chaupai 26. Dina sudama ke duhkha tarayo
  29. Chaupai 27. Prema ke saga vidura ghara mamge
  30. Chaupai 28. Lakhi prema ki mahima bhari
  31. Chaupai 29. Bharata ke paratha ratha hamke
  32. Chaupai 30. Nija gita ke jnana sunaye
  33. Chaupai 31. Mira thi aisi matavali
  34. Chaupai 32. Rana bheja sampa pitari
  35. Chaupai 33. Nija maya tuma vidhihim dikhayo
  36. Chaupai 34. Taba shata ninda kari tatkala
  37. Chaupai 35. Jabahim draupadi tera lagai
  38. Chaupai 36. Turatahim vasana bane nanandalala
  39. Chaupai 37. Asa natha ke natha kanhaiya
  40. Chaupai 38. Sundaradasa asa ura dhari
  41. Chaupai 39. Natha sakala mama kumati nivaro
  42. Chaupai 40. Kholo pata aba darshana dijai
  43. Closing Doha. Ashta siddhi navanidhi phala, lahai padaratha chari
Doha 1#

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.

Doha 2#

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.

Chaupai 1#

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!

Chaupai 2#

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!

Chaupai 3#

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!

Chaupai 4#

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.

Chaupai 5#

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.

Chaupai 6#

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.

Chaupai 7#

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;

Chaupai 8#

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.

Chaupai 9#

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;

Chaupai 10#

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.

Chaupai 11#

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!

Chaupai 12#

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.

Chaupai 13#

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.

Chaupai 14#

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,

Chaupai 15#

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.

Chaupai 16#

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.

Chaupai 17#

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,

Chaupai 18#

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.

Chaupai 19#

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.

Chaupai 20#

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.

Chaupai 21#

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.

Chaupai 22#

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.

Chaupai 23#

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.

Chaupai 24#

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.

Chaupai 25#

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.

Chaupai 26#

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.

Chaupai 27#

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;

Chaupai 28#

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.

Chaupai 29#

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.

Chaupai 30#

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.

Chaupai 31#

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;

Chaupai 32#

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.

Chaupai 33#

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.

Chaupai 34#

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.

Chaupai 35#

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!' —

Chaupai 36#

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.

Chaupai 37#

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.

Chaupai 38#

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.

Chaupai 39#

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.

Chaupai 40#

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!

Closing Doha#

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

कन्हैया
Kanhaiya
Affectionate name of child Krishna
यदुनन्दन
Yadunandan
Delight of the Yadu dynasty
मोर मुकुट
Mor Mukut
The peacock-feather crown
गोवर्धन
Govardhan
The mountain Krishna lifted on his fingertip
रास
Rasa
The divine dance with the gopis
वैजयंती माला
Vaijayanti Mala
Krishna's forest-flower garland
कालिय
Kaliya
The serpent Krishna subdued in the Yamuna
बनवारी
Banwari
He who wears forest garlands; Krishna

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Krishna Chalisa?
The Krishna Chalisa is a 40-verse Hindi hymn praising Lord Krishna, beginning 'Banshi shobhit kar madhur'. It celebrates his beauty, his childhood miracles and his protection of devotees like Draupadi, Sudama and Mira.
On which day should the Krishna Chalisa be recited?
It is most auspicious on Janmashtami (Krishna's birthday), on Wednesdays, and on Ekadashi. Many devotees recite it daily, morning or evening.
Which pastimes does the Krishna Chalisa describe?
It recounts the lifting of Govardhan, the subduing of the serpent Kaliya, the slaying of Putana, Kamsa and other demons, the Rasa dance, the rescue of Draupadi, and his grace to Sudama and Mira.
What are the benefits of the Krishna Chalisa?
It is said to grant love, peace, prosperity and protection, to dispel fear and doubt, and to deepen devotion to Lord Krishna.

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