Hanuman Chalisa

हनुमान चालीसा

(hanumaan chaaleesaa)

This hymn (स्तोत्र, स्तति

ु गीत) was written by Goswami Tulsidas (gosvaamee tulaseedaas; गोस्वामी
तलु सीदास) in the sixteenth century. Hanuman chalisa is written in Awadhi (Avadhee; अवधी). Awadhi
language can be thought of as old Hindi or a root of Hindi.

Tulsidas is also called Mahakavi (mahaakavi; महाकवि) which means a great poet. He is one of the
greatest poet of Awadhi or Old Hindi. This hymn is simple and is utmost rhythmical poem. Even if
you don't understand Hindi, you may enjoy hearing it.

Tulsidas wrote these forty verses in the praise of Lord Hanuman (_hanumaan; हनुमान). Forty in
Hindi is called 'chaalees' (चालीस) and the hymn containing forty verses is called 'chaaleesa'
(चालीसा). Since he wrote this hymn (containing 40 verses) others have written other chalisa_s for
other gods and godesses!

Tulsidas might have been the first one who wrote a chalisa! Verses in Hanuman Chalisa are called chaupai (chaupaaEE;
चौपाई) which means four line stanzas.

Lord Hanuman was beloved of Lord Rama (maryaadaa puruShottam shree raam chandra; मर्यादा
परु
ु षोत्तम श्री रामचन्द्र). The greatest book of Tulsidas is the well known Epic called
'Ramcharitamanas' (raamacharitamaanas; रामचरितमानस).

Millions of Hindus recite Hanuman Chalisa on every Tuesday and Saturday. Lot of Hindus believe
that chanting this hymn will solve their problems. They believe Lord Hanuman is mahaabalee (most
strong and powerful). They lovingly call Him Bajrangbali (bajarangabalee; बजरं गबली). _bajarang
means someone whose body (aNga) is like vajra (bajra). Often his statues are painted in saffron
(bright red).

Generally he is visualised as a 'vaanar' (वानर; vernacular dialect - baanar, बानर). Most Hindus
interpret the word 'baanar' as monkey-man. But some people say that the word _vaanar means a
man (nar; नर) who lives in forest (van; वन).
GURU CHARITRA-ELGLISH VERSION:

http://www.saibaba.us/texts/gurucharitra/index.htm