Santoshi Maa Chalisa
Significance & Importance
The Santoshi Maa Chalisa honors one of the most beloved and widely worshipped Mother Goddesses in modern Hindu domestic devotion — Maa Santoshi, whose name literally means 'The Mother of Contentment' and whose worship grew into a massive movement following the 1975 Hindi film 'Jai Santoshi Maa'. Believed in popular tradition to be the daughter of Lord Ganesha, born from his joy when his sons Shubh and Labh asked him for a sister, Maa Santoshi embodies the divine feminine principle of patience, satisfaction, and the fulfillment of sincere wishes.
The Santoshi Maa vrat is one of the simplest and most accessible vows in Hindu women's devotional practice. Observed on consecutive Fridays, the vrat involves abstaining from sour foods (citrus, tamarind, pickles), offering jaggery (gud) and roasted chickpeas (chana) to the goddess, reading her sacred katha, and observing chastity of mind and speech. The vrat is concluded with the offering and distribution of gud-chana prasad. The Chalisa is recited as part of this Friday worship and describes Maa Santoshi as a deity who responds with grace to even the simplest, most heartfelt offering.
Millions of women across India, Nepal, and the Indian diaspora observe the Santoshi Maa vrat seeking domestic peace, marital harmony, blessings for children, healing for sick family members, prosperity, and freedom from worry. The Chalisa promises that those who recite it with devotion and complete the vrat with proper discipline will receive Maa Santoshi's specific blessings: a contented mind (santosh), the fulfillment of cherished wishes, and the lifting of worldly difficulties. The very name 'Santoshi' is a teaching — that true happiness comes from contentment with what divine grace provides.
English Transliteration
|| Doha ||
Bandau Santoshi Charan, Riddhi Siddhi Daatri.
Dhyaan Dharu Mahima Likhu, Tum Trijagat Kee Maatri.
Namo Namah Santoshi Mata, Sumiran Karat Sabhi Sukh Bhrata.
|| Chaupai ||
Jai Santoshi Maata Jagat Janani.
Dayaa Karahu Saadar Hum Sharani.
Ganapati Putri Maa Tum Pyaari.
Riddhi Siddhi Sang Tum Aai Avtaari.
Mangalmayi Roop Tihara.
Sarva Sankat Tum Door Bichaara.
Vrat Lai Bhakt Jo Tumhra Karai.
Dhan Dhanya Sampada Vah Bhar Bhar Pawai.
Gud-Chana Bhog Lagaai Pyaara.
Maa Tum Khusi Hot Hriday Saara.
Shukravaar Vrat Param Punita.
Kathaa Sunaiyaa Bhakti Vinita.
Khattaa Chukhaaye Jo Vrat Bhange.
Aise Bhakt Maa Dukh Mein Sange.
Neem Patti Sang Snaan Karai.
Tum Maa Charanan Vandan Karai.
Sheel Subhaav Apar Tum Daani.
Kripa Drishti Dasaa Maa Pahchani.
Deenanaath Anaath Sahaari.
Sarva Sankat Maa Tum Niwaari.
Nithur Sang Ki Sant Banaai.
Kathin Hriday Mein Daya Jagaai.
Lakhi Kotin Bhakt Tumhare Aaye.
Kripa Tumhari Sab Phal Paaye.
Pati Pyaar Tav Vrat Se Paavain.
Kulhin Naari Sumangal Aavain.
Putra Daan Maa Tum Bhakton Ko.
Dhan Sampatti Sukh Bhar Daan Ko.
Kaarya Sakal Mein Siddhi Pradaan.
Vrat Ke Phal Se Maa Daan Mahaan.
Vidya Yash Aru Sundar Naari.
Var Maange Wah Pawai Bhaari.
Rog Door Ho Tan Ke Saare.
Maansik Sukh De Tum Pyaare.
Lagi Maa Charanan Lagi Bandagi.
Tumhri Kripa Hi Maa Sahaaragi.
Rijhi Maa Tum Bhakton Pyaare.
Kripa Drishti Se Sab Mukh Pyaare.
He Maa Santoshi Daya Karau Ab.
Sakal Manorath Pooran Maa Ab.
Vrat Niyam Se Jo Bhakt Karain.
Maa Tumhri Kripa Wah Paavain.
Chumbak Sa Tav Charanan Khinche.
Bhakti Bhaav Ke Saagar Sinche.
Lakhi Bhakti Hriday Ki Sachchi.
Uski Pukaar Maa Sunti Pachchi.
Sindur Akshat Pushp Chadhaai.
Aarti Maa Ki Pyaari Sunaai.
Lakhi Maa Bhakti Hriday Si Sachchi.
Manorath Pooran Karat Acchhi.
Kathaa Sunain Sumangal Naari.
Santoshi Maa Mahima Bhaari.
Satya Vachan Maa Tum Bole.
Vrat Se Bhagaye Sankat Hole.
Guda Chana Khoob Bhog Lagaayo.
Vrat Sukh Sampatti Maa Daayo.
Maa Tum Bhakton Ke Hriday Vaasi.
Tumhare Charan Mein Daasi Daasi.
Kashtin Mein Tum Sambhal Sambhaalo.
Kripa Karahu Maa Tum Pratipaalo.
Jo Yah Path Karai Chaalisa.
Usko Maa Tum Devain Aasees.
Gruh Mein Maa Tum Sukh Bharo Sada.
Sakal Manorath Pooran Sada.
|| Doha ||
Gud-Chana Ka Bhog Le, Santoshi Maa Pyaar.
Vrat Karain Sab Sukh Lahain, Hota Bhav Se Paar.
Shukravaar Vrat Niyam Se, Karain Bhakta Sumann.
Maa Santoshi Kripa Karain, Pooran Hot Kaaman.Frequently Asked Questions
When should the Santoshi Maa Chalisa be recited?
The Santoshi Maa Chalisa is traditionally recited during the morning or evening worship of Maa Santoshi, 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 Maa Santoshi.
What are the benefits of reciting the Santoshi Maa Chalisa?
Reciting the Santoshi Maa Chalisa with faith is traditionally believed to invoke the grace of Maa Santoshi, 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.
