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🕉 Krishna Chalisa

📿 Krishna Chalisa

Chalisa

AuthorSundardas

LanguageBraj

VersesDoha + 40 chaupais + doha

Recitation timeabout 8 minutes

Special daysJanmashtami, Ekadashi, Thursday

BhogMakhan-mishri, tulsi

The Krishna Chalisa is a complete picture of Shri Krishna's beauty and leelas — Putana's liberation, taming Kaliya, Govardhan, the raas, slaying Kamsa, Sudama, Vidura's greens, the Gita, Draupadi's sari and the devotee Meera. With each leela the same feeling returns — he is the «lord of the helpless», who pulls the sinking boat out of the whirlpool.

📖 Full text — with meaning

Tap «Roman (English) script» to see the original Devanagari text.

॥ दोहा ॥ बंशी शोभित कर मधुर, नील जलद तन श्याम। अरुण अधर जनु बिम्बफल, नयन कमल अभिराम॥ पूर्ण इन्द्र, अरविन्द मुख, पीताम्बर शुभ साज। जय मनमोहन मदन छवि, कृष्णचन्द्र महाराज॥

|| Doha || Banshi Shobhit Kar Madhur, Nil Jalad Tan Shyam | Arun Adhar Janu Bimbaphal, Nayan Kamal Abhiram || Purna Indra, Aravinda Mukh, Pitambar Shubh Saj | Jai Manmohan Madan Chhavi, Krishnachandra Maharaj ||

A sweet flute shines in his hand, his body is dark like a blue cloud, his red lips like bimba fruit and his lotus eyes lovely. A face like the full moon and the lotus, in beautiful yellow garments — victory to you, enchanter of minds, beautiful as Kamadeva, King Krishnachandra.

जय यदुनंदन जय जगवंदन। जय वसुदेव देवकी नन्दन॥

Jai Yadunandan Jai Jagvandan | Jai Vasudev Devaki Nandan ||

Victory to the joy of the Yadus, worshipped by the world, son of Vasudeva and Devaki.

जय यशुदा सुत नन्द दुलारे। जय प्रभु भक्तन के दृग तारे॥

Jai Yashuda Sut Nanda Dulare | Jai Prabhu Bhaktan Ke Drig Tare ||

Victory to Yashoda's son, Nanda's darling, the Lord who is the apple of his devotees' eyes.

जय नटनागर, नाग नथइया। कृष्ण कन्हइया धेनु चरइया॥

Jai Natnagar, Nag Nathaiya | Krishna Kanhaiya Dhenu Charaiya ||

Victory to the master dancer, tamer of the serpent (Kaliya), Krishna Kanhaiya who grazes the cows.

पुनि नख पर प्रभु गिरिवर धारो। आओ दीनन कष्ट निवारो॥

Puni Nakh Par Prabhu Girivar Dharo | Ao Dinan Kashta Nivaro ||

O Lord, lift the mountain (Govardhan) on your fingertip again and come to remove the sufferings of the humble.

वंशी मधुर अधर धरि टेरौ। होवे पूर्ण विनय यह मेरौ॥

Vanshi Madhur Adhar Dhari Terau | Hove Purna Vinay Yah Merau ||

Call (us) with the sweet flute on your lips, so that this prayer of mine is fulfilled.

आओ हरि पुनि माखन चाखो। आज लाज भारत की राखो॥

Ao Hari Puni Makhan Chakho | Aj Laj Bharat Ki Rakho ||

O Hari, come again and taste the butter, and today protect the honour of Bharat.

गोल कपोल, चिबुक अरुणारे। मृदु मुस्कान मोहिनी डारे॥

Gol Kapol, Chibuk Arunare | Mridu Muskan Mohini Dare ||

Round cheeks, a rosy chin and a soft smile that enchants all.

राजित राजिव नयन विशाला। मोर मुकुट वैजन्तीमाला॥

Rajit Rajiv Nayan Vishala | Mor Mukut Vaijantimala ||

Large lotus eyes shine, with the peacock crown and the Vaijayanti garland.

कुंडल श्रवण, पीत पट आछे। कटि किंकिणी काछनी काछे॥

Kundal Shravan, Pit Pat Achhe | Kati Kinkini Kachhani Kachhe ||

Earrings in his ears, a fine yellow garment, a girdle of bells at the waist and a tightly tied kachhni.

नील जलज सुन्दर तनु सोहे। छबि लखि, सुर नर मुनिमन मोहे॥

Nil Jalaj Sundar Tanu Sohe | Chhabi Lakhi, Sur Nar Muniman Mohe ||

His beautiful body shines like a blue lotus; seeing that image, gods, humans and sages are enchanted.

मस्तक तिलक, अलक घुँघराले। आओ कृष्ण बांसुरी वाले॥

Mastak Tilak, Alak Ghungharale | Ao Krishna Bansuri Vale ||

A tilak on the forehead and curly locks — come, Krishna, the flute-player.

करि पय पान, पूतनहि तार्यो। अका बका कागासुर मार्यो॥

Kari Pay Pan, Putanhi Taryo | Aka Baka Kagasur Maryo ||

Drinking her milk, you liberated Putana; you slew Aghasura, Bakasura and Kagasura.

मधुवन जलत अगिन जब ज्वाला। भै शीतल लखतहिं नंदलाला॥

Madhuvan Jalat Agin Jab Jvala | Bhai Shital Lakhathin Nandlala ||

When the fire blazed in Madhuvan, it turned cool at the very glance of Nandlal.

सुरपति जब ब्रज चढ़्यो रिसाई। मूसर धार वारि वर्षाई॥

Surapti Jab Braj Chadhyo Risai | Musar Dhar Vari Varshai ||

When Indra angrily attacked Braj and sent torrential rain —

लगत लगत व्रज चहन बहायो। गोवर्धन नख धारि बचायो॥

Lagat Lagat Vraj Chahan Bahayo | Govardhan Nakh Dhari Bachayo ||

Braj was about to be swept away, and you saved it by holding Govardhan on your fingertip.

लखि यसुदा मन भ्रम अधिकाई। मुख मंह चौदह भुवन दिखाई॥

Lakhi Yasuda Man Bhram Adhikai | Mukh Manh Chaudah Bhuvan Dikhai ||

When Yashoda's mind grew confused, you showed her the fourteen worlds in your mouth.

दुष्ट कंस अति उधम मचायो। कोटि कमल जब फूल मंगायो॥

Dushta Kans Ati Udham Machayo | Koti Kamal Jab Phul Mangayo ||

Wicked Kamsa caused great mischief and demanded crores of lotus flowers (from Kaliya's pool) —

नाथि कालियहिं तब तुम लीन्हें। चरण चिह्न दै निर्भय कीन्हें॥

Nathi Kaliyahin Tab Tum Linhen | Charan Chihna Dai Nirbhay Kinhen ||

then you tamed the serpent Kaliya, marking his hoods with your footprints, and made (Braj) fearless.

करि गोपिन संग रास विलासा। सबकी पूरण करी अभिलाषा॥

Kari Gopin Sang Ras Vilasa | Sabki Puran Kari Abhilasha ||

Dancing the raas with the gopis, you fulfilled everyone's longing.

केतिक महा असुर संहार्यो। कंसहि केस पकड़ि दै मार्यो॥

Ketik Maha Asur Sanharyo | Kanshi Kes Pakdi Dai Maryo ||

You destroyed many great demons and slew Kamsa, seizing him by the hair.

मात-पिता की बन्दि छुड़ाई। उग्रसेन कहँ राज दिलाई॥

Mat-Pita Ki Bandi Chhudai | Ugrasen Kahan Raj Dilai ||

You freed your parents from prison and gave the kingdom back to Ugrasena.

महि से मृतक छहों सुत लायो। मातु देवकी शोक मिटायो॥

Mahi Se Mritak Chhahon Sut Layo | Matu Devaki Shok Mitayo ||

You brought back from the netherworld (Devaki's) six dead sons and removed Mother Devaki's grief.

भौमासुर मुर दैत्य संहारी। लाये षट दश सहसकुमारी॥

Bhaumasur Mur Daitya Sanhari | Laye Shat Dash Sahaskumari ||

You slew Bhaumasura (Narakasura) and the demon Mura and brought back sixteen thousand princesses (freeing them).

दै भीमहिं तृण चीर सहारा। जरासिंधु राक्षस कहँ मारा॥

Dai Bhimahin Trin Chir Sahara | Jarasindhu Rakshas Kahan Mara ||

Splitting a blade of grass, you showed Bhima the way and had the demon Jarasandha killed.

असुर बकासुर आदिक मार्यो। भक्तन के तब कष्ट निवार्यो॥

Asur Bakasur Adik Maryo | Bhaktan Ke Tab Kashta Nivaryo ||

You slew Bakasura and other demons and removed the sufferings of devotees.

दीन सुदामा के दुःख टार्यो। तंदुल तीन मूंठ मुख डार्यो॥

Din Sudama Ke Duhkh Taryo | Tandul Tin Munth Mukh Daryo ||

You removed poor Sudama's sorrow — putting his three fistfuls of rice into your mouth (with love).

प्रेम के साग विदुर घर मांगे। दुर्योधन के मेवा त्यागे॥

Prem Ke Sag Vidur Ghar Mange | Duryodhan Ke Meva Tyage ||

You asked for the greens of love at Vidura's house and gave up Duryodhana's dry fruits.

लखी प्रेम की महिमा भारी। ऐसे श्याम दीन हितकारी॥

Lakhi Prem Ki Mahima Bhari | Aise Shyam Din Hitakari ||

See the great glory of love — such is Shyam, the friend of the humble.

भारत के पारथ रथ हांके। लिये चक्र कर नहिं बल थाके॥

Bharat Ke Parath Rath Hanke | Liye Chakra Kar Nahin Bal Thake ||

In the Mahabharata you drove Arjuna's chariot; you took up the discus and your strength never tired.

निज गीता के ज्ञान सुनाए। भक्तन हृदय सुधा वर्षाए॥

Nij Gita Ke Gyan Sunae | Bhaktan Hriday Sudha Varshae ||

You told the wisdom of your Gita and showered nectar in the hearts of devotees.

मीरा थी ऐसी मतवाली। विष पी गई बजाकर ताली॥

Mira Thi Aisi Matvali | Vish Pi Gai Bajakar Tali ||

Meera was so intoxicated (with love) that she drank poison clapping her hands.

राना भेजा सांप पिटारी। शालीग्राम बने बनवारी॥

Rana Bheja Samp Pitari | Shaligram Bane Banvari ||

When the Rana sent a snake in a basket, Banwari (Krishna) became a shaligram.

निज माया तुम विधिहिं दिखायो। उर ते संशय सकल मिटायो॥

Nij Maya Tum Vidhihin Dikhayo | Ur Te Sanshay Sakal Mitayo ||

You showed Brahma your maya and removed all the doubts of his mind.

तब शत निन्दा करि तत्काला। जीवन मुक्त भयो शिशुपाला॥

Tab Shat Ninda Kari Tatkala | Jivan Mukta Bhayo Shishupala ||

As soon as his hundred insults were complete, Shishupala was instantly liberated (by you).

जबहिं द्रौपदी टेर लगाई। दीनानाथ लाज अब जाई॥

Jabhin Draupadi Ter Lagai | Dinanath Laj Ab Jai ||

When Draupadi cried out — «O Lord of the humble, my honour is going» —

तुरतहि वसन बने नंदलाला। बढ़े चीर भै अरि मुँह काला॥

Turathi Vasan Bane Nandlala | Badhe Chir Bhai Ari Munh Kala ||

Nandlal at once became the garment; the sari kept growing and the enemies were disgraced.

अस अनाथ के नाथ कन्हइया। डूबत भंवर बचावइ नइया॥

As Anath Ke Nath Kanhaiya | Dubat Bhanvar Bachavai Naiya ||

Such is Kanhaiya, lord of the helpless, who saves the sinking boat from the whirlpool.

'सुन्दरदास' आस उर धारी। दया दृष्टि कीजै बनवारी॥

'Sundardas' As Ur Dhari | Daya Drishti Kijai Banvari ||

«Sundardas», with hope in his heart (says) — O Banwari, look upon me with mercy.

नाथ सकल मम कुमति निवारो। क्षमहु बेगि अपराध हमारो॥

Nath Sakal Mam Kumati Nivaro | Kshamhu Begi Aparadh Hamaro ||

O Lord, remove all my wrong thinking and quickly forgive my faults.

खोलो पट अब दर्शन दीजै। बोलो कृष्ण कन्हइया की जै॥

Kholo Pat Ab Darshan Dijai | Bolo Krishna Kanhaiya Ki Jai ||

Now open the curtain and give darshan — say, victory to Krishna Kanhaiya.

॥ दोहा ॥ यह चालीसा कृष्ण का, पाठ करै उर धारि। अष्ट सिद्धि नवनिधि फल, लहै पदारथ चारि॥

|| Doha || Yah Chalisa Krishna Ka, Path Karai Ur Dhari | Ashta Siddhi Navnidhi Phal, Lahai Padarath Chari ||

Whoever recites this Krishna Chalisa holding it in the heart attains the eight siddhis, the nine treasures and the four goals of life (dharma, artha, kama, moksha).

📿 Japa counter (mala of 108)

Tap the button for each repetition; every 108 counts as one mala (your phone vibrates). The count is saved on this device/browser.

📅 Next auspicious days (from our panchang)

29 Oct (Thursday)
5 Nov (Thursday) — Ekadashi
12 Nov (Thursday)
19 Nov (Thursday)
20 Nov (Friday) — Ekadashi
26 Nov (Thursday)

Dates are for Delhi sunrise; see today's panchang for your city.

🪔 How to chant / recite

Time: Morning after Laddu Gopal seva, or at dusk; midnight on Janmashtami.
Method: Tulsi leaves, makhan-mishri bhog and a ghee lamp; end with «Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki».
Count: Once daily; 11 times on Janmashtami as per tradition.

🛕 Puja vidhi (step by step)

🧺 Items needed

Picture of Bhagwan Vishnu / Shri Krishna / Satyanarayan
Yellow flowers and yellow cloth
Tulsi leaves (essential)
Sandalwood, akshata
Panchamrit, conch
Ghee lamp, incense
Banana, panjiri or yellow sweets as bhog

🪷 Procedure

Bathe and wear clean clothes; clean the puja place and spread a fresh cloth on the altar (chowki).
Do achamana (sip water three times) and purify hands and mouth; sit on an asana and calm the mind.
Light a lamp of ghee or sesame oil — by tradition the lamp is kept to the deity's right.
Take water, akshata (unbroken rice) and a flower in the right hand and make the sankalpa — your name, gotra, place, date and the purpose of the puja, spoken or in the mind; then let the water fall to the ground.
First remember Shri Ganesha (Om Gam Ganapataye Namah).
Bathe the Lord with water from a conch (or sprinkle), offer yellow cloth, sandalwood and yellow flowers.
Always place a tulsi leaf on the bhog — by tradition Vishnu does not accept bhog without tulsi.
Chant «Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya» or recite Vishnu Sahasranama / Satyanarayan Katha.
Sing «Om Jai Jagdish Hare».
Finally perform aarti, offer pushpanjali (flowers) and do parikrama (or turn around in your place).
Ask forgiveness for any mistakes in the puja, distribute the prasad and take it yourself.

⚠️ Rules & precautions

On Ekadashi grains (especially rice) are given up; tulsi is not plucked on Ekadashi — pluck a day earlier.
Thursday, Ekadashi and Purnima are special for Vishnu.
Sesame is offered instead of rice (akshata) in some traditions — a regional difference.

🌟 Benefits (as per tradition)

A prayer for devotion to Krishna, joy of mind and support in trouble.
Phalashruti: the eight siddhis, nine treasures and the four goals of life (as per belief).

These are traditional beliefs described in scriptures; results are understood to depend on faith, discipline and one's own actions.

❓ Frequently asked questions

When should the Krishna Chalisa be recited?

On Janmashtami, Ekadashi and in daily Laddu Gopal seva.

Who is «Sundardas» in the chalisa?

The name of the author, given in chaupai 38.

🪔 Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki · 📜 Madhurashtakam · 📜 Krishnashtakam · 🪔 Find your planet/deity from your kundali · 🧙 Ask an astrologer · 🕉 All mantras & aartis · 🇮🇳 हिन्दी में पढ़ें

Note: recite with devotion and correct pronunciation; for special anushthans take guidance from a learned acharya.

Other Mantras and Aarti

📿 Hanuman Chalisa 📿 Shiv Chalisa 📿 Durga Chalisa 📿 Ganesh Chalisa 📿 Lakshmi Chalisa 📿 Shani Chalisa 📿 Ram Chalisa 🕉 Gayatri Mantra 🕉 Mahamrityunjaya Mantra 🪔 Ganesh Aarti (Jai Ganesh Deva)🪔 Shiv Aarti (Om Jai Shiv Omkara)🪔 Lakshmi Aarti (Om Jai Lakshmi Mata)🪔 Durga Aarti (Jai Ambe Gauri)🪔 Hanuman Aarti (Aarti Kijai Hanuman Lala Ki)🕉 Om Namah Shivaya

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