Shiv Chalisa (Forty Verses to Shiva)

Victory to Lord Ganesha, the son of Girija, who is the source of all auspiciousness and wisdom. Ayodhyadas says: O Lord, grant me the boon of fearlessness.

Victory to the Lord of Girija, who is compassionate to the poor and always protects the saints.

On His forehead, the crescent moon shines beautifully. In His ears are earrings made of serpent hoods.

His body is fair, and the Ganges flows from His head. He wears a garland of skulls and smears ashes on His body.

His garment is the skin of a tiger, which looks splendid. Seeing His beauty, even serpents and sages are enchanted.

He is the beloved of His mother Maina. On His left side, the beautiful form of Parvati shines uniquely.

In His hand, the trident shines with great splendor. He always destroys the enemies.

Nandi and Ganesha are present there, like lotuses in the middle of an ocean.

Kartikeya, Shyam, and the lord of the ganas – no one can fully describe this divine vision.

Whenever the gods cried out to You, O Lord, You Yourself removed their sorrows.

The demon Tarakasura caused great havoc. All the gods together bowed to You.

You immediately sent the six-faced Kartikeya, who in a moment killed and felled him.

You Yourself destroyed the demon Jalandhara. Your good fame is known throughout the world.

You waged war against the demon Tripurasura. Showing grace to all, You saved them.

Bhagiratha performed great penance, and You, O Destroyer of cities, fulfilled his earlier promise.

Among givers, there is none equal to You. Your servant always offers this praise.

The Vedas have sung Your glory. You are indescribable, beginningless, and Your mystery cannot be fathomed.

During the churning of the ocean, a flame appeared. Gods and demons were distressed by its burning.

You showed compassion and helped there. Then You became known as Neelkantha.

When Lord Ramachandra worshipped You, after conquering Lanka, You gave him Vibhishana.

You were holding a thousand lotuses. Then, O Destroyer of cities, You tested the devotee.

You hid one lotus, O Lord. The lotus-eyed one wished to worship with that.

Seeing such difficult devotion, Lord Shankara became pleased and granted the desired boon.

Victory, victory, victory to You, O infinite and indestructible one! You bestow grace and dwell in the hearts of all.

All the wicked constantly torment me. I wander about and find no peace.

I cry out, "Save me, save me, O Lord!" At this moment, come and rescue me.

Take Your trident and strike down my enemies. Come and deliver me from this distress.

Even though I have mother, father, and brothers, no one asks about me in times of trouble.

You alone are my master and my only hope. Come and remove my great afflictions.

You always give wealth to the poor. Whoever seeks from You receives the fruit.

How can I offer praise to You? O Lord, forgive my faults now.

O Shankara, You are the destroyer of troubles, the cause of auspiciousness, and the remover of obstacles.

Yogis, ascetics, and sages meditate on You. Goddess Saraswati and sage Narada bow their heads to You.

Salutations, salutations, victory and homage to Shiva! Even gods like Brahma cannot fathom Your limits.

Whoever recites this hymn with focused mind, Lord Shambhu becomes their helper.

Even if someone is a debtor or a sinner, reciting this purifies them.

If someone desires a son, surely by Shiva's grace they will obtain one.

On the thirteenth lunar day, a learned priest should perform a homa with meditation.

One who always observes the vow on the thirteenth day will never have afflictions in their body.

Offer incense, lamp, and food, and recite this hymn before Lord Shankara.

It destroys sins of many births, and at the end, one attains the abode of Shiva.

Ayodhyadas says: I place my hope in You. Knowing all my sorrows, please remove them.

Every day, with regularity, in the morning, I recite the Chalisa. O Lord of the world, fulfill my heart's desires.

In the month of Margashirsha, on the sixth day, in the Hemanta season, in the year sixty-four, this hymn of praise to Shiva, the Chalisa, was completed for the welfare of all.