Krishna Chalisa
English Transliteration
Jai Yadunandan Jagvandan, Jai Vasudev Devki Nandan.
Jai Yashoda Sut Nand Dulaare, Jai Prabhu Bhaktan Ke Drig Taare.
Jai Natnagar Naag Nathaiya, Krishna Kanhaiya Dhenu Charaiya.
Puni Nakh Par Prabhu Girivar Dhaaro, Aao Deenan Kasht Nivaaro.
Vanshi Madhur Adhar Dhari Teri, Hove Poorn Vinay Yah Meri.
Aao Hari Puni Maakhan Chaakho, Aaj Laaj Bharat Ki Raakho.
Gol Kapol Chibuk Arunaare, Mridu Muskaan Mohini Daare.
Ranjit Raajiv Nayan Vishaala, Mor Mukut Baijanti Maala.
Kundal Shravan Peetpat Aachhe, Kati Kinkini Kaachhani Kaanchhe.
Neel Jalaj Sundar Tanu Sohai, Chhavi Lakhi Sur Nar Muni Man Mohai.
Mastak Tilak Alak Ghunghraale, Aao Krishna Baansuri Waale.
Kari Pay Paan, Pootanhin Taaryo, Aka Baka Kaaga Sur Maaryo.
Madhuvan Jalat Agin Jab Jwaala, Bhaye Sheetal Lakhi Tumhari Kripaala.
Lagat-Lagat Braj Chahan Bahaayo, Govardhan Nakh Dhaari Bachaayo.
Lakhi Yasuda Man Bhram Adhikaai, Mukh Munh Chaudah Bhuvan Dikhaai.
Dusht Kans Ati Udham Machaayo, Koti Kamal Jab Phool Mangaayo.
Naathi Kaaliyahin Tab Tum Leenhen, CharanChinha De Nirbhay Keenhain.
Kari Gopin Sang Raas Vilaasa, Sabki Pooran Kari Abhilaasha.
Ketik Maha Asur Sanhaaryo, Kansahi Kes Pakadi Dai Maaryo.
Maat-Pita Ki Bandi Chhudaai, Ugrasen Kahan Raaj Dilaai.
Mahi Se Mritak Chhahon Sut Laayo, Maatu Devki Shok Mitaayo.
Bhaumasur Mur Daitya Sanhaari, Laaye Shat Das Sahas Kumaari.
Dein Bheemahin Trincheer Sanhaara, Jarasindhu Raakshas Kahan Maara.
Asure Bakaasur Aadik Maaryo, Bhaktan Ke Tab Kasht Nivaaryo.
Deen Sudaama Ke Dukh Taaryo, Tandul Teen Moothi Mukh Daaryo.
Prem Ke Saag Vidur Ghar Maange, Duryodhan Ke Meva Tyaage.
Lakhi Premki Mahima Bhaari, Aise Shyam Deen Hitkaari.
Bhaarath Ke Paarath Rath Haanke, Liye Chakra Kar Nahin Bal Thaanke.
Nij Geeta Ke Gyaan Sunaaye, Meera Thi Aisi Matwaali, Vish Pi Gayi Baja Kar Taali.
Bhaktan Hriday Sudha Varshaaye. Raana Bheja Saanp Pitaari, Shaaligram Bane Banwaari.
Nij Maaya Tum Vidhihin Dikhaayo, Urte Sanshay Sakal Mitaayo.
Bhayi Shat Ninda Kari Tatkaala, Jeevan Mukt Bhayo Shishupaala.
Tabahin Draupadi Ter Lagaai, Deenaanaath Laaj Ab Jaai.
Turtahin Vasan Bane Nandlaala, Badhe Cheer Bhaye Ari Mukh Kaala.
Jai Anaath Ke Naath Kanhaiya, Doobat Bhanvar Bachaavat Naiya.
Sundardaas Aas Ur Dhaari, Dayadrishti Keejai Banwaari.
Naath Sakal Mam Kumati Nivaaro, Kshamahu Begi Aparaadh Hamaaro.
Bolo Pat Ab Darshan Deejai, Bolo Krishna Kanhaiya Ki Jai.
|| Doha ||
Yah Chaleesa Krishna Ka, Paath Kare Ur Dhaari.
Asht Siddhi Navniddhi Phal, Lahe Padaarath Chaari.Verse-by-Verse Meaning
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Jai Yadunandan Jagvandan, Jai Vasudev Devki Nandan.
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Victory to you, O Krishna, joy of the Yadu clan and revered by the whole world! Victory to you, son of Vasudev and Devaki!
Jai Yashoda Sut Nand Dulaare, Jai Prabhu Bhaktan Ke Drig Taare.
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Victory to you, beloved son of Mother Yashoda and cherished darling of Nanda! Victory to you, O Lord, who are the very light of your devotees' eyes!
Jai Natnagar Naag Nathaiya, Krishna Kanhaiya Dhenu Charaiya.
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Victory to you, the supreme dancer and consummate performer, tamer of the great serpent Kaliya! Victory to Krishna Kanhaiya, who tends and grazes the cows of Vraja!
Puni Nakh Par Prabhu Girivar Dhaaro, Aao Deenan Kasht Nivaaro.
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You lifted the great mountain Govardhan upon a single fingertip to shelter Vraja. Come now, O Lord, and remove the sufferings of the humble and the helpless.
Vanshi Madhur Adhar Dhari Teri, Hove Poorn Vinay Yah Meri.
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You raise the sweet flute to your lips and call out with its melody; may this earnest prayer of mine find fulfillment before you.
Aao Hari Puni Maakhan Chaakho, Aaj Laaj Bharat Ki Raakho.
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Come again, O Hari, and taste the butter; today, uphold the honor of this land of Bharat.
Gol Kapol Chibuk Arunaare, Mridu Muskaan Mohini Daare.
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Your round cheeks and reddish chin, together with your gentle, enchanting smile, captivate every heart that beholds them.
Ranjit Raajiv Nayan Vishaala, Mor Mukut Baijanti Maala.
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Your large lotus eyes shine with beauty; upon your head rests the peacock-feather crown, and around your neck the Vaijayanti garland.
Kundal Shravan Peetpat Aachhe, Kati Kinkini Kaachhani Kaanchhe.
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Earrings adorn your ears and a garment of yellow silk clothes you; tiny bells jingle at your waist over your well-tied garment.
Neel Jalaj Sundar Tanu Sohai, Chhavi Lakhi Sur Nar Muni Man Mohai.
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Your beautiful form gleams like a fresh blue lotus; gods, mortals, and sages alike lose their hearts at the mere sight of your radiant beauty.
Mastak Tilak Alak Ghunghraale, Aao Krishna Baansuri Waale.
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A sacred tilak marks your brow and curly locks frame your face; come to us, O Krishna, the eternal player of the flute.
Kari Pay Paan, Pootanhin Taaryo, Aka Baka Kaaga Sur Maaryo.
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By drinking from the demoness Putana even as she tried to poison you, you granted her liberation; you also slew the demons Aghasura and Bakasura, and the demon who came to harm you in the form of a crow.
Madhuvan Jalat Agin Jab Jwaala, Bhaye Sheetal Lakhi Tumhari Kripaala.
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When a raging forest fire threatened to consume Vrindavan, it turned cool and harmless the moment your merciful gaze fell upon it.
Lagat-Lagat Braj Chahan Bahaayo, Govardhan Nakh Dhaari Bachaayo.
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When torrential rains threatened to sweep away all of Vraja, you saved it by lifting Mount Govardhan upon a single fingertip.
Lakhi Yasuda Man Bhram Adhikaai, Mukh Munh Chaudah Bhuvan Dikhaai.
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When Mother Yashoda's mind grew troubled with worry over what you had eaten, you opened your mouth and revealed within it all fourteen worlds of creation.
Dusht Kans Ati Udham Machaayo, Koti Kamal Jab Phool Mangaayo.
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The wicked Kansa, in his malice, caused great turmoil and deceitfully demanded countless lotus blossoms.
Naathi Kaaliyahin Tab Tum Leenhen, CharanChinha De Nirbhay Keenhain.
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You then subdued the venomous serpent Kaliya by dancing upon his hood, and marking him with the sign of your holy feet, freed him from fear and granted him grace.
Kari Gopin Sang Raas Vilaasa, Sabki Pooran Kari Abhilaasha.
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You performed the divine Raas-leela with the Gopis of Vraja, fulfilling the deepest devotional longing of each one.
Ketik Maha Asur Sanhaaryo, Kansahi Kes Pakadi Dai Maaryo.
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You destroyed many mighty demons in your divine sport, and finally seized the tyrant Kansa by the hair and slew him.
Maat-Pita Ki Bandi Chhudaai, Ugrasen Kahan Raaj Dilaai.
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You freed your parents Vasudev and Devaki from their prison, and restored the throne of Mathura to King Ugrasena.
Mahi Se Mritak Chhahon Sut Laayo, Maatu Devki Shok Mitaayo.
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You brought back Devaki's six sons, slain by Kansa in infancy, from the nether world, thereby dispelling your mother's deep sorrow.
Bhaumasur Mur Daitya Sanhaari, Laaye Shat Das Sahas Kumaari.
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You slew the demon Bhaumasura (Narakasura) and the demon Mura, freeing the sixteen thousand captive princesses.
Dein Bheemahin Trincheer Sanhaara, Jarasindhu Raakshas Kahan Maara.
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You silently guided Bhima by tearing a blade of grass and casting its two halves apart, teaching him the secret by which the mighty demon Jarasandha could finally be slain.
Asure Bakaasur Aadik Maaryo, Bhaktan Ke Tab Kasht Nivaaryo.
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You destroyed demons such as Bakasura and many others, and in doing so removed every affliction from your devotees.
Deen Sudaama Ke Dukh Taaryo, Tandul Teen Moothi Mukh Daaryo.
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You dispelled the poverty and sorrow of your humble friend Sudama; out of sheer love, you accepted and ate the three fistfuls of flattened rice he offered you.
Prem Ke Saag Vidur Ghar Maange, Duryodhan Ke Meva Tyaage.
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You gladly asked for and relished the humble greens offered with pure love at Vidura's house, while spurning the rich delicacies offered by the proud Duryodhana.
Lakhi Premki Mahima Bhaari, Aise Shyam Deen Hitkaari.
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In this you revealed the supreme glory of pure devotion, for such is Shyam, ever the benefactor and well-wisher of the humble and the lowly.
Bhaarath Ke Paarath Rath Haanke, Liye Chakra Kar Nahin Bal Thaanke.
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In the great war of Bharat, you drove the chariot of Partha (Arjuna); when needed, you even took up your discus in hand, your strength never wavering.
Nij Geeta Ke Gyaan Sunaaye, Meera Thi Aisi Matwaali, Vish Pi Gayi Baja Kar Taali.
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You proclaimed the wisdom of your own Bhagavad Gita to the world; and such was Meera Bai's intoxicating devotion that she drank a cup of poison, clapping and singing your praises without fear.
Bhaktan Hriday Sudha Varshaaye. Raana Bheja Saanp Pitaari, Shaaligram Bane Banwaari.
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You continually rain the nectar of grace upon the hearts of your devotees; when a jealous ruler sent a basket containing a venomous snake to harm Meera, you, the eternal Banwari, transformed it into a sacred Shaligram.
Nij Maaya Tum Vidhihin Dikhaayo, Urte Sanshay Sakal Mitaayo.
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You revealed your divine mystic power even to Lord Brahma himself, when he tried to test you by hiding the cowherd boys and calves, and thereby dispelled every trace of doubt from his heart.
Bhayi Shat Ninda Kari Tatkaala, Jeevan Mukt Bhayo Shishupaala.
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The very moment Shishupala's hundred insults against you were complete, you slew him instantly, granting him liberation.
Tabahin Draupadi Ter Lagaai, Deenaanaath Laaj Ab Jaai.
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At that moment, Draupadi cried out to you in anguish, "O protector of the helpless, my honor is about to be lost!"
Turtahin Vasan Bane Nandlaala, Badhe Cheer Bhaye Ari Mukh Kaala.
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Instantly, O son of Nanda, you became her endless garment, the cloth growing without end, leaving her tormentor's face blackened in shame and defeat.
Jai Anaath Ke Naath Kanhaiya, Doobat Bhanvar Bachaavat Naiya.
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Victory to you, Kanhaiya, protector of the helpless and the orphaned, who rescues the sinking boat from the whirlpool of worldly troubles.
Sundardaas Aas Ur Dhaari, Dayadrishti Keejai Banwaari.
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Your humble poet Sundardas holds this hope within his heart; cast your compassionate glance upon him, O Banwari.
Naath Sakal Mam Kumati Nivaaro, Kshamahu Begi Aparaadh Hamaaro.
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O Lord, remove every ill-conceived thought within me, and swiftly forgive whatever faults and offences I have committed.
Bolo Pat Ab Darshan Deejai, Bolo Krishna Kanhaiya Ki Jai.
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Reveal yourself now and grant us your divine darshan; and together let us proclaim: victory to Krishna Kanhaiya!
Yah Chaleesa Krishna Ka, Paath Kare Ur Dhaari. Asht Siddhi Navniddhi Phal, Lahe Padaarath Chaari.
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Whoever recites this Krishna Chalisa with devotion held firmly in the heart attains the eight siddhis and nine nidhis as their reward, and secures the four great goals of human life: dharma, artha, kama, and moksha.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should the Krishna Chalisa be recited?
The Krishna Chalisa is traditionally recited during the morning or evening worship of Lord Krishna, 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 Krishna.
What are the benefits of reciting the Krishna Chalisa?
Reciting the Krishna Chalisa with faith is traditionally believed to invoke the grace of Lord Krishna, 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.