Krishna Chalisa Lyrics in Hindi & English with Meaning

दोहा: श्री कृष्ण चन्द ब्रज चन्द, मोर मुकुट वंशी अधर। वन्दौ कृष्ण मुरारी, तरण त्रिभुवन में सार॥

चौपाई:

जय यदुनन्दन जय जगवन्दन। जय वसुदेव देवकी नन्दन॥ जय यशुमति मन हर्षित कारी। जय हो श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी॥

निज जननी पितु वसुदेव कारा। ब्रज में नन्द भये तुम सहारा॥ पूतना तब वध कीन्हा। शकटासुर का संहार लीन्हा॥

मक्खन-चोर माखन के लाला। ग्वाल बाल संग खेल रचाया॥ कालिय नाग को नाथा भारी। बंशी बजी रसीली प्यारी॥

इन्द्र को मद चूर तुमने कीन्हा। गोवर्धन गिरि कर तले लीन्हा॥ ब्रह्मा-शम्भु आपके चरण। सब देवन तज भगते आचरण॥

जय राधे श्यामा प्यारी। यमुना-तट विहार करत हारी॥ महारास रचायो वृन्दावन। सब गोपिन का मन हरण॥

कंस को वध करि भुजबल भारी। मातु-पितु को मुक्त कराई॥ जरासन्ध शिशुपाल को मारा। द्वारका-पुरी कीन्ह विशारा॥

रुक्मिणी हरि सत्यभामा सहित। सोलह सहस्र सहचरी सहित॥ पाण्डव साथी मित्र विशेषा। द्रौपदी रक्षक प्रेम-निवेषा॥

गीता ज्ञान सुनाये अर्जुन। संशय हटाये दिये कर्म-गुण॥ कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते का। पाठ पढ़ाये जग सबका॥

योगियन का योग सिखाया। भक्तन को आधार दिखाया॥ भक्ति बिना न मोक्ष पावे। ऐसा गीता सत्य बताये॥

जय हो प्रभु आपकी सेवा। नित प्रति कीजै हे देवा॥ जो जन कृष्ण-कृष्ण नित गावे। पाप-दोष सब दूर भगावे॥

जो जन प्रेम-सहित यह पाठ करे। मन-वांछित फल सहज लभे॥ रोग-दोष सब दूर हो जायें। यश-वैभव घर में आवें॥

श्री कृष्ण चालीसा पाठ करावे। बार-बार सुख सम्पदा पावे॥ जे जे भक्तन ध्यान लगावे। ते ते सब कारज सिद्ध बनावे॥

निर्धन को धन देत प्रभु प्यारे। निर्बल को बल देत हमारे॥ सन्तति सुख यश गुण सब आवे। श्री कृष्ण-कृपा से सब पावे॥

जो प्रेम भाव से चालीसा गावे। कोटि गयन्द फल सहज लभावे॥ कर्म-धर्म-निष्ठा बढ़ जावे। दैव-दोष भी दूर हो जावे॥

दोहा: श्री कृष्ण चालीसा पाठ करत, सुख-सम्पदा बढ़ जाय। प्रेम-भक्ति का बीज बोवै, मोक्ष-पथ सुगम बनाय॥

Note: Above is a representative version. Different regional traditions have slight word variations, but the core meaning and 40-verse structure remain consistent.

Opening Doha (English): 'I bow to Shri Krishna Chand of Brij - peacock-feather crown adorning his head, bansuri (flute) at his lips. Salutations to Krishna Murari - essence of all three worlds.'

Verse 1-2 (Birth & Babyhood): 'Glory to Yadu's joy, glory to the world-worshipped one, glory to Vasudev-Devaki's son. Glory to Yashoda's heart-delighter, glory to Giridhar Krishna Murari!'

'Born in your mother's prison cell to Vasudev - Nanda became your shelter in Brij. You killed Putana the demoness, slayed Shakatasura the cart-demon.'

Verse 3-4 (Childhood pranks & Kaliya): 'Butter-thief, beloved of butter - you played with cowherd-boys. You subdued Kaliya the great serpent - your sweet flute played enchanting melodies.'

Verse 5-6 (Indra & Govardhan): 'You crushed Indra's pride. You held Govardhan mountain on a single finger. Brahma-Shambhu fell at your feet - all gods abandoned other paths.'

Verse 7-8 (Radha & Raas): 'Glory to Radha-Shyama beloved! You roamed Yamuna's banks. You created the Mahaaras in Vrindavan, captivated all gopis' hearts.'

Verse 9-10 (Kansa & Dwarka): 'You killed Kansa with mighty arms, freed your parents. You slayed Jarasandha and Shishupala, established Dwarka city.'

Verse 11-12 (Wives & Pandavas): 'You married Rukmini, Satyabhama, with sixteen thousand other queens. You befriended the Pandavas, lovingly protected Draupadi.'

Verse 13-14 (Bhagavad Gita): 'You taught the Gita to Arjuna, removed his confusion, gave him karma's quality. "Karmanyevadhikaraste..." - you taught the world this truth.'

Verse 15-16 (Yoga & Bhakti): 'You taught yogis the path of yoga, showed devotees the foundation. The Gita declares: without bhakti, no moksha is possible.'

Verses 17-30 (Devotional praise): These verses praise Krishna's various forms - as Madhava, Govinda, Damodara, Madhusudana - and assert the power of devotion to him.

Verse 31-40 (Phalashruti - Result of Recitation): 'Whoever sings 'Krishna Krishna' daily - all sins and faults flee. Whoever recites with love gets desired fruits easily.' 'Diseases-faults all depart, fame-prosperity enter the home. Whoever does Chalisa path repeatedly - all tasks succeed.' 'The poor get wealth, the weak get strength, children-joy-fame-virtues all come from Krishna's grace.'

Closing Doha: 'By reciting Shri Krishna Chalisa - joy and wealth grow. The seed of love-bhakti is sown, the path of moksha becomes easy.'

This closing promises: those who recite this Chalisa with sincere devotion experience accumulating prosperity, deepening love-bhakti, and an easier path toward moksha (liberation).

1. Joy & Removal of Sadness - Krishna is the deity of ananda (bliss). Daily Chalisa naturally lifts mood, dissolves chronic depression and sadness.

2. Family Harmony - Krishna's stories celebrate family love (Devaki-Vasudev, Yashoda-Nanda, brother Balarama, friends). Reciting brings family healing.

3. Marital & Romantic Success - Krishna is the cosmic lover. Daily Chalisa for unmarried people often brings suitable matches; for couples, deepens romance.

4. Children's Welfare - Krishna as the divine child blesses children. Mothers traditionally recite for children's health, education, character.

5. Removal of Obstacles - Krishna defeated countless demons. His Chalisa removes life's 'demonic' obstacles - bad people, bad luck, blockages.

6. Material Prosperity - Phalashruti specifically promises 'sukh-sampada' (joy and wealth) to regular reciters.

7. Spiritual Awakening - The Gita-references in the Chalisa awaken spiritual curiosity. Many devotees report starting to read Bhagavad Gita after committing to daily Chalisa.

8. Removal of Sins - 'Pap-dosh sab door bhagave' - all sins and faults depart. Powerful for those carrying guilt or karma-burden.

9. Path to Moksha - Closing Doha specifically promises: 'moksha-path sugam banaay' - the path of liberation becomes easy.

10. Direct Krishna Connection - After 40-day commitment, devotees often report Krishna appearing in dreams, providing specific guidance, or feeling his constant presence.

The 40-day commitment (mandala): Reciting Krishna Chalisa daily for 40 consecutive days creates measurable life change. Tradition's promise: by day 40, one specific intention will be fulfilled. Many devotees do this 40-day cycle annually around Janmashtami.

Best time: Morning (sunrise to 9 AM) is preferred. Evening sandhya time also auspicious. Janmashtami midnight is supreme.

Best day: Thursday (Vishnu's day) and Wednesday (Krishna's day). Ekadashi and Janmashtami are extraordinary.

Items needed:

• Krishna photo or murti (Bal Gopal, Kunj Bihari, or Radha-Krishna)
• Yellow cloth on chowki
• Tulsi leaves (mandatory)
• Yellow flowers
• Ghee diya (NOT mustard)
• Sandalwood paste
• Bhog: makhan-mishri or kheer
• Camphor
• Bell

Step-by-step:

1. Bath, wear yellow/white clothes. 2. Sit before Krishna's photo facing east or north on yellow cloth. 3. Sankalpa: Take water in palm, state intention. Pour at base. 4. Light ghee diya. Apply chandan tilak to Krishna and self. 5. Offer Tulsi + yellow flowers. 6. Offer makhan-mishri as bhog before recitation. 7. Begin Chalisa:

• Opening Doha (1 minute)
• 40 chaupais at devotional pace (10-12 minutes)
• Closing Doha (1 minute)
• Total: 12-15 minutes for one path

8. 108 jap of 'Hare Krishna mahamantra' (15 minutes) - optional but powerful 9. Aarti - sing 'Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki' (4 minutes) 10. Distribute prasad to family. 11. Take charanamrit (water that touched Tulsi/Krishna feet).

Total time: 25-35 minutes daily.

Short version (10 minutes): For busy days - Tulsi offering + Chalisa recitation + simple aarti. Skip the elaborate setup.

Pronunciation tips:

• Recite slowly, don't rush
• Pay attention to 'Yadunandan', 'Murari', 'Giridhar' - these are key Krishna names
• Pause briefly between verses
• If alone, sing softly; in family group, sing together

Group recitation tradition: Many families recite Krishna Chalisa together every evening before dinner. Children learn it through repetition; adults strengthen bhakti through shared practice.

1. Skipping Tulsi. Tulsi is essential for any Krishna offering. Without it, the offering is incomplete.

2. Using mustard oil for diya. Mustard is for Hanuman/Shani. Krishna prefers ghee or pure cotton-wick diya.

3. Wearing dark colors. Yellow, orange, white, light pink only. Black blocks Krishna's energy.

4. Reciting in haste. Krishna Chalisa needs 12-15 minutes minimum. Rushing under 8 minutes loses devotional quality.

5. Not offering bhog. Krishna's bhog (makhan, kheer, panchamrit) is essential. Even one item is sufficient - but skipping completely is wrong.

6. Eating non-veg the day before. Krishna is strictly sattvic. Non-veg disturbs the offering.

7. Reciting in noisy environment. Krishna Chalisa is tender, melodic. Television, loud talking disrupt the mood.

8. Skipping the closing aarti. Always finish with Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki - this seals the merit.

9. Doing it mechanically. Krishna is the deity of bhava (feeling). Mechanical recitation gives 30% benefit. Loving recitation gives 100%.

10. Breaking 40-day commitment. If you commit to 40-day mandala, missing one day means restart. Be honest about commitment level before starting.

11. Not involving children. Krishna Chalisa is one of the most family-friendly stotras. Children love its melodic flow. Involve them.

12. Skipping Janmashtami. Even if you don't recite daily, do Krishna Chalisa on Janmashtami without fail. It's the deity's birthday celebration.

Krishna Chalisa is one of the most family-friendly devotional practices in Hinduism. Children love its melodic rhythm. Elders find peace in its familiar words. Couples deepen love through shared recitation.

Three commitment levels:

Level 1 - Once weekly (Thursday or Wednesday):

• 15 minutes
• Builds Krishna devotion gradually
• Sustainable for any householder

Level 2 - Daily morning:

• 25-minute morning practice
• Tulsi offering + Chalisa + aarti
• Strong devotional rhythm

Level 3 - 40-day mandala:

• Daily for 40 consecutive days
• Specific intention
• Repeat annually around Janmashtami

A final reflection:

When you recite Krishna Chalisa, you are walking through Krishna's entire life - from prison-cell birth to cosmic teaching at Kurukshetra. This walk takes 12 minutes; it covers 125 years of divine play. Each verse is a meditation on a moment of Krishna's life.

Krishna doesn't ask for elaborate yajnas. He asks for prem - sweet love. Sing his Chalisa with love, and you have given him everything.

Start this Thursday morning. Light a ghee diya. Place Tulsi. Read 40 verses with feeling.

By month's end, your relationship with Krishna will be different.

Hare Krishna. Radhe Radhe. Govinda Bolo.

📿 The Vandnaa App's Krishna Chalisa module: 4 audio styles, 40-day tracker, Janmashtami special reminder, family group-recitation mode.