Vishnu Chalisa
Significance & Importance
The Vishnu Chalisa is the foundational hymn dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the cosmic preserver and sustainer of dharma in Hindu cosmology. As the second deity of the Trimurti (alongside Brahma the creator and Shiva the dissolver), Vishnu is invoked across South Asia and the Hindu diaspora as the protector of devotees, restorer of cosmic balance, and source of all divine incarnations.
This Chalisa systematically narrates the ten principal avatars (Dashavatara) of Vishnu — Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (boar), Narasimha (man-lion), Vamana (dwarf), Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and the prophesied Kalki. Each avatar represents the divine descent to restore righteousness when adharma overwhelms the world. The hymn also celebrates Vishnu's iconic form: reclining on the cosmic serpent Shesha in the Ksheer Sagar, holding the conch (Shankh), discus (Chakra), mace (Gada), and lotus (Padma), with Lakshmi at his side and Garuda as his celestial mount.
Devotees traditionally recite the Vishnu Chalisa on Thursdays (Vishnu's day), during Ekadashi vrats, and during major Vaishnava festivals like Janmashtami, Ram Navami, and Vaikuntha Ekadashi. The text promises that sincere recitation brings prosperity, harmony in family life, protection from sorrow, success in righteous endeavors, and ultimately liberation to Vaikuntha — Vishnu's eternal abode. Its appeal cuts across all Vaishnava sampradayas (Sri, Brahma, Rudra, Sanaka), making it one of the most universally accepted prayers in mainstream Hindu practice.
English Transliteration
|| Doha ||
Vishnu Sindhu Karuna Nidhi, Sundar Aasrit Mool.
Deenan Ke Dukh Door Kar, Sumiran Ko Anukool.
|| Chaupai ||
Namo Vishnu Bhagvaan Khararee.
Kasht Nashaavan Akhil Bihaaree.
Pralay Payodhi Jal Sundar Saaje.
Bahut Sahaay Karat Tum Raaje.
Matsya Roop Dhar Asur Sanhaaryo.
Kurma Pith Mandar Ghirvaaryo.
Vaaraah Roop Hiranyaksh Naashyo.
Narsingh Hiranyakashipu Vinaashyo.
Vaaman Bali Ko Chhal Se Saadhyo.
Parshuraam Avtaar Su Saadhyo.
Ram Roop Dasrath Sut Aaye.
Lanka Patti Raavan Sang Laaye.
Shri Krishna Avataar Bhayo Tum.
Gopi Sang Raas Rachayo Tum.
Buddha Roop Lokahin Sukh Deeno.
Kalki Roop Lai Adharam Neeno.
Sheshnaag Par Shayan Tumhaaro.
Naabhi Kamal Brahma Vistaaro.
Lakshmi Sang Vaikunth Viraaje.
Sur Muni Sant Sakal Tumhi Saaje.
Shankh Chakra Gada Padma Viraaje.
Peetambar Tan Sundar Saaje.
Garud Vaahan Atulit Bal Dhaari.
Kaali Naag Mada Khandit Kaari.
Dhruv Prahlaad Ko Tum Hi Taaro.
Gaj Graha Se Gajraj Ubaaro.
Vibheeshan Ko Lanka Daino.
Sudaama Ko Rajpath Deeno.
Draupadi Cheer Badhayo Tum Hee.
Sankat Mein Pukaar Suni Hum Hee.
Narad Sharad Tumhi Yash Gaavain.
Ved Puraan Mahima Bakhaanain.
Shiv Sankar Brahma Aur Indra.
Karat Sada Tav Yash Te Vandan.
Tumhi Vidhata Tumhi Pitaa Ho.
Tumhi Maatu Sab Ke Hitkaari Ho.
Kaaran Tum Hi Kaarya Tumhi Ho.
Srishti Pralay Sab Mein Tum Hi Ho.
Naam Tumhaaro Anant Apaara.
Vishnu Sahasranaam Pukaara.
Keshav Maadhav Govind Naama.
Naaraayan Vaasudev Sukhdhaama.
Hari Hari Janpat Janpat Dukh Naashai.
Bhakt Sankat Sab Door Hatashai.
Ekadashi Vrat Jo Nar Karai.
Vishnu Lok So Avashya Charai.
Tulsi Daam Tumhein Ati Pyaari.
Tumhre Charanan Tulsi Dhaari.
Apnaaye Jin Bhakti Tumhaaree.
Unki Sab Sankat Tum Niwaree.
Alpa Buddhi Stuti Kaa Karu.
Kripa Karo Bhav-Sindhu Tarun.
Jo Nit Paath Karai Yah Chaalisa.
Taa Par Kripa Karahi Jagdeesa.
Dhan Dhaanya Sukh Sampatti Paavai.
Gruh Kalesh Sab Door Bhagaavai.
Putra-Putri Sukh Ki Vridhi Hoy.
Kaarya Sakal Mein Vighn Na Koy.
Rog Shok Sab Door Bhagaavai.
Ayu Aarogya Sukha Ati Paavai.
Ant Samay Vaikunth Sidhaarai.
Vishnu Charan Mein Jaai Bisaarai.
Naam Tumhaaro Sumir Sumir Ke.
Bhakt Janon Ne Bhav Taran Kar Ke.
Hey Trilokpati Daya Karahu.
Deen Bandhu Sankat Sab Harahu.
Naarayan Naarayan Naama.
Sumirat Hot Sakal Mun Kaama.
Gopaaldas Sharan Nij Aaya.
Kripa Karo Prabhu Vishnu Raaya.
|| Doha ||
Vishnu Chaalisa Jo Padhai, Praatah Kaal Uthi Nit.
Kaarya Sakal Mein Siddhi Hoy, Pavan Hoy Tan-Chit.Frequently Asked Questions
When should the Vishnu Chalisa be recited?
The Vishnu Chalisa is traditionally recited during the morning or evening worship of Lord Vishnu, 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 Lord Vishnu.
What are the benefits of reciting the Vishnu Chalisa?
Reciting the Vishnu Chalisa with faith is traditionally believed to invoke the grace of Lord Vishnu, 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.
