Krishna Chalisa is the 40-verse devotional hymn (chaalis = forty) dedicated to Krishna. Composed in simple Awadhi or Hindi verse, the chalisa narrates the deity's qualities, deeds, and protective powers across forty short chaupai stanzas, ending in a doha couplet. Devotees recite it after morning bath or before sleep at night - reading aloud is considered more powerful than silent reading because the sound vibrations carry the prayer to the deity. The chalisa is most auspiciously read on Thursday. Children, elders, and beginners often start their devotional journey with the chalisa because the verses are short, rhythmic, and easy to memorise. Read the full Hindi text below and watch the embedded recording to hear the traditional pronunciation and rhythm.
॥ दोहा॥ बंशी शोभित कर मधुर, नील जलद तन श्याम । अरुण अधर जनु बिम्बफल, नयन कमल अभिराम । पूर्ण इन्द्र, अरविन्द मुख, पीताम्बर शुभ साज । जय मनमोहन मदन छवि, कृष्णचन्द्र महाराज । ॥ चौपाई ॥ जय यदुनन्दन जय जगवन्दन । जय वसुदेव देवकी नन्दन । जय यशुदा सुत नन्द दुलारे । जय प्रभु भक्तन के दृग तारे । ... ॥ दोहा ॥ यह चालीसा कृष्ण का, पाठ करै उर धारि। अष्ट सिद्धि नवनिधि फल, लहै पदारथ चारि॥
Daily reading is the traditional practice - once in the morning after bath, once at night before sleep. Thursday is considered the most spiritually charged day for this chalisa. Some devotees do 11 or 21 readings on the deity's day for specific intentions.
Both are accepted. Memorising allows you to chant during travel or work, while reading from text gives full attention to each verse. Most devotees gradually memorise the chalisa over months of daily reading.
East-facing (toward sunrise) is preferred for most chalisas. For Krishna specifically, the direction matters less than the consistency of practice. Sit on a clean asana, light a diya, and read with attention.
Krishna Aarti
Aarti
Krishna Mahamantra
Mantra
Krishna Mool Mantra
Mantra
Krishna Ashtottara Shatanamavali
Mantra
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Mantra
Krishna Kashta Nashaka Mantra
Mantra