Khatu Shyam Chalisa
Significance & Importance
The Khatu Shyam Chalisa is dedicated to one of the most beloved deities of Rajasthan and the wider North Indian devotional landscape — Khatu Shyam Baba, whose origin story comes from the Mahabharata. He was Barbarika, the mighty grandson of Bhima (son of Ghatotkacha) and the strongest warrior of his time, possessing three divine arrows that could destroy any army in moments.
When Lord Krishna learned that Barbarika intended to fight on behalf of the weaker side in the Mahabharata war — meaning whichever army was losing at any moment — Krishna realized this would prolong the war indefinitely. Disguised as a Brahmin, Krishna asked the young warrior for a charitable gift. When Barbarika offered anything, Krishna requested his head. Without hesitation, Barbarika presented his severed head, but requested that he be allowed to witness the great war. Krishna placed the head on a hill from where Barbarika watched the entire 18 days of battle. Pleased by his supreme devotion and selfless sacrifice, Krishna granted him the boon that in the Kaliyuga he would be worshipped under Krishna's own name — Shyam — and would be the saviour of those who have lost hope.
The sacred temple of Khatu Shyam in Sikar district, Rajasthan, draws millions of devotees annually, especially during the Falgun Mela (around February-March) marking the deity's appearance day. The Chalisa is recited by devotees seeking fulfillment of sincere wishes, success when all paths seem closed, family harmony, and victory in just causes. Khatu Shyam is fondly called 'Haare Ka Sahaara' — the refuge of those who have been defeated — making the Chalisa particularly meaningful for those facing despair, financial loss, illness, or life's seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
English Transliteration
|| Doha ||
Shri Guru Charanan Dhyaan Dhar, Sumirau Saainath.
Shyam Charitra Likhan Hetu, Mati Do Hey Shyam Naath.
|| Chaupai ||
Jai Jai Shri Shyam Hamaare.
Kaliyug Mein Tum Sankat Taare.
Naam Anek Tumhare Pyaare.
Barbarik Khaatu Shyam Bichare.
Ghatotkach Aur Bheem Ke Pote.
Morvi Maa Ke Sut Tum Hote.
Ais Vrat Tum Bachpan Mein Theenh.
Treen Baan Vardaan Maa Se Leenh.
In Teen Baanon Mein Apar Shakti.
Jag Mein Phaili Tumhri Bhakti.
Gyaarah Akshauhini Sena Sange.
Maha Bhaarat Ke Jaane Ange.
Socha Yaar Madad Karoon Jaaake.
Haar Rahe Hain Jo Mujh Pyaare.
Maata Aagya Lai Tum Chale.
Shakti Shamshaan Mein Boodh Mile.
Path Mein Mile Krishna Brahman Bani.
Veer Bhakt Ki Pareeksha Thaani.
Maange Sheesh Daan Tum Soonpa.
Gyaani Bhakt Aaj Bhi Tum Roopa.
Krishna Khush Hoye Vardaan Diya.
Kaliyug Mein Shyam Naam Pratyaksh Kiya.
Mere Naam Se Pooja Hoge.
Haare Ka Sahaara Tum Hoge.
Khaatu Naagar Pavitra Bhoomi.
Tumhri Pratima Vahaan Niwooni.
Lakhdaataar Bane Tum Bhakto Ke.
Haare Hue Mann Tum Roop Ke.
Lakhi Karoron Bhakt Tumhaare.
Khaatu Dhaam Mein Aate Pyaare.
Fagun Lakhi Mela Vaha Lagai.
Khaatu Shyam Ki Mahima Gaai.
Neele Ghode Par Suraajait Baithe.
Mor Pankh Mukut Adbhut Saaje.
Shraddha Bhakti Se Jo Aaye.
Unki Sab Manokaamna Phalai.
Nishaan Pataaka Lekar Aate.
Baaba Ke Charanon Mein Naate.
Teen Sava Sou Ki Maala Pehnaai.
Khaatu Naresh Tumhrey Yash Gaai.
Lakhi Roop Tumhre Atisundar.
Nayan Hriday Mein Tav Chhavi Andar.
Kaliyug Mein Tum Tarat Sahaayak.
Kshana Mein Pahunche Bhakt Sahaayak.
Bigde Kaam Banaate Pal Mein.
Dhokha Den Na Bhakto Bhal Mein.
Dhanya Dhanya Tum Shyam Hamaare.
Deenan Ke Tum Param Sahaare.
Jo Bhakt Yahaan Aata Roopa.
Khaali Hath Na Laute Bhoopa.
Mere Bhi Sab Sankat Taaro.
Mujh Anaath Ko Aap Sambhaaro.
Sada Kripa Tumhri Bani Rahe.
Man Mein Tumhri Bhakti Pani Rahe.
Shyam Naam Ka Aaj Sahaara.
Doob Rahi Jeevan Naiya Bechara.
Khaatu Wale Shyam Hamaare.
Ham Sab Bhakton Ke Tum Pyaare.
Kaliyug Mein Avtaar Tumhara.
Lakhi Karoron Ka Sahaara.
Naam Lihi Tumhra Jo Koi.
Uski Bigdi Avashya Hoi.
Maadhav Vinti Karat Tumaari.
Khaatu Shyam Hriday Mein Dhaari.
Jai Jai Khaatu Shyam Hamaare.
Haare Ke Tum Param Sahaare.
|| Doha ||
Khaatu Wale Shyam Ki, Mahima Aprampaar.
Jo Bhi Sumire Aap Ko, Naiya Lagaai Paar.
Fagun Shukla Ekaadashi, Janma Liyo Suchhand.
Bolo Khaatu Shyam Ki, Jai Bole Aanand.Frequently Asked Questions
When should the Khatu Shyam Chalisa be recited?
The Khatu Shyam Chalisa is traditionally recited during the morning or evening worship of Khatu Shyam Baba, and especially on the deity's sacred days. Reciting it daily — or for forty days — is a common devotional practice.
How many verses are there in a Chalisa?
A chalisa is a devotional hymn of forty (chālīs) chaupai verses, usually framed by opening and closing doha couplets, composed here in praise of Khatu Shyam Baba.
What are the benefits of reciting the Khatu Shyam Chalisa?
Reciting the Khatu Shyam Chalisa with faith is traditionally believed to invoke the grace of Khatu Shyam Baba, steady the mind, and bring courage and inner peace. It is offered as an act of bhakti (devotion), not as a guarantee of any specific material result.
