Shyam Chalisa (Forty Verses in Praise of Lord Shyam)
A forty-verse Hindi chalisa to Khatu Shyam (Barbarik), worshipped in Kali Yuga as the support of the defeated; recited for blessings and relief.
Verses
Opening Dohas (Mangalācharaṇa)
Introductory couplets invoking the Guru and Divine grace before the forty chaupais.
Meditating on the feet of the Guru and remembering the Supreme Being who is Truth, Consciousness, and Bliss, I compose the Shyam Chalisa with supreme joy.
Verse Dohā 1
I bow repeatedly to the one who offered his head as a sacrifice; Shyam of Khatu is the incarnation of the Kali Yuga.
Verse Dohā 2
The Forty Verses (Chaupais)
The core forty verses celebrating the divine glory, valour, and boundless compassion of the Lord.
Victory to Shri Shyam, the giver of happiness; You are the ordainer of destiny in the Kali Yuga.
Verse 1
O Lord, You dwell in the holy abode of Khatu; gods and demons all serve You.
Verse 2
O valiant son of Morvi, renowned as Babhruvahan, You have illumined the lineage of Ghatotkacha.
Verse 3
When the great war of the Mahabharata raged, the armies of the Kauravas and Pandavas were arrayed for battle.
Verse 4
Then You gave a vow to Your mother that You would always side with the one who is losing.
Verse 5
Taking three arrows, You came to the battlefield; Lord Krishna came to test You.
Verse 6
You demonstrated the piercing of a peepal leaf, showing that all were pierced by a single arrow.
Verse 7
You offered Your head as a gift to Lord Krishna, surrendering everything of Yours.
Verse 8
Pleased, Lord Krishna gave You this boon that Your name 'Shyam' became renowned throughout the world.
Verse 9
In the Kali Yuga, the whole world worships You; whoever meditates on You crosses over the ocean of worldly existence.
Verse 10
On the bright twelfth of the month of Phalgun, a grand fair takes place; the bestower of millions orchestrates all the divine play.
Verse 11
Whoever comes to Your door offering a banner or flag obtains the fruits of their heart's desires.
Verse 12
Whoever bathes in the Shyam Kund drives away all sins and afflictions.
Verse 13
Its water is like nectar, bestowing happiness; it cuts all diseases and removes every illness.
Verse 14
O Lord, You are the refuge of the defeated; You are the inner knower and the master of the three worlds.
Verse 15
O remover of the distress of the humble and sorrowful, victory, victory, victory to the Lord who sports in the groves of Vrindavan.
Verse 16
Whoever meditates on You in times of peril, their troubles instantly vanish.
Verse 17
One who daily sings the Shyam Chalisa attains wealth, splendor, happiness, and prosperity.
Verse 18
All afflictions from ghosts and evil spirits are removed when one holds the name of Shyam in the heart.
Verse 19
The childless obtains a son; the leper's body becomes like gold, completely healed.
Verse 20
You make the poor wealthy, and You show the path to the blind.
Verse 21
Victory to the bestower of millions, victory to the one who offered His head; Your glory is sung throughout the world.
Verse 22
When You whirl the peacock-feather fan above Your head, it displays a miraculous, enchanting effect.
Verse 23
The town of Khatu is a supremely holy abode where Shri Ghanshyam resides.
Verse 24
Along with the unique abode of Salasar, the brave Hanuman removes all troubles.
Verse 25
The waters of Radha Kund are so sacred that beholding them relieves the pain of worldly existence.
Verse 26
Victory, victory to the King of Khatu; protect my honor and make my tasks successful.
Verse 27
Considering me Your servant, O Lord, be merciful; grant me the gift of loving devotion.
Verse 28
You are renowned as the deity of the Kali Yuga; You remove the troubles of Your devotees.
Verse 29
Whoever daily sings this Chalisa certainly attains all happiness.
Verse 30
One who recites it for forty days is carried across the ocean of existence by Shyam's grace.
Verse 31
Victory to Shri Shyam, victory to Shri Shyam; fulfill all the desires of my heart.
Verse 32
Grant me the privilege of serving Your lotus feet; forgive all my offenses, O Lord.
Verse 33
Victory, victory to the Lord, the son of Morvi; shower Your grace, O inner-knowing Lord.
Verse 34
The wise attain the four goals of life through the nectar-like words of the Lord of Khatu.
Verse 35
O compassionate and merciful beloved Lord, we all have taken refuge in You.
Verse 36
Victory, victory to the sustainer of the world; victory to the mountain-lifting Lord of Khatu.
Verse 37
Fulfill all my desires; grant me Your vision and fill my mind with joy.
Verse 38
One who daily meditates on the Shyam Chalisa finds happiness and prosperity ever present in their home.
Verse 39
Victory to Shri Shyam, glory to the giver of happiness; You are the ordainer of destiny in the Kali Yuga.
Verse 40
Concluding Doha
Concluding couplet praying for the Lord to reside eternally in the devotee's heart.
O Lord, incarnation of the Kali Yuga, Shyam of Khatu, protect the honor of those who have come to Your refuge and complete their tasks.
Verse Dohā 1
Whoever worships with a sincere heart, singing the glories of Shyam's name, attains happiness, prosperity, and splendor, and finally reaches the eternal abode of Vaikuntha.
Verse Dohā 2
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham)
Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya)
Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering
- Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home
Background
The Shyam Chalisa is part of the wider devotional tradition centered on the shrine of Khatu Shyam in Rajasthan, India. Lord Shyam is revered as the deity who helps those in need, particularly in the Kali Yuga. Devotees often recite this hymn daily or on special occasions such as Tuesdays and Saturdays, or during the annual fair at the Khatu Shyam temple. The text is composed in simple Hindi, making it accessible to a wide audience.
Did You Know?
The Mythological Origin of Shyam
This Chalisa narrates the story of Barbarik, the son of Ghatotkacha and grandson of Bhima from the Mahabharata. He was so skilled that Krishna asked for his head as a sacrifice, and in return granted him the boon to be worshipped as 'Shyam' in the Kali Yuga. The name 'Shyam' literally means 'dark' and connects him to Krishna himself.
The Promise to the Loser
Verse 6 highlights Shyam's unique commitment: he promised his mother to always side with the one who is losing—a reference to Barbarik's vow during the Mahabharata war. This is why he is known as 'hare ka sahara' (support of the defeated), and devotees in distress turn to him for justice.
The Miracle of the Peepal Leaf
According to verses 7–8, when Krishna tested Barbarik's archery, Barbarik shot a single arrow that pierced all the leaves of a peepal tree after Krishna had hidden one under his foot. This display of supreme skill convinced Krishna of Barbarik's unmatched ability and set the stage for his sacrifice.
The Annual Festival at Khatu Dham
Verse 12 mentions the grand fair (mela) on Phalgun Shukla Dwadashi (the twelfth day of the bright fortnight in February–March) at Khatu, Rajasthan. The temple of Shyam attracts lakhs of devotees during this time, and the fair is called 'Lakhdataar'—a title meaning 'giver of abundance'.
Promised Benefits of Recitation
The Chalisa assures that regular recitation brings concrete blessings: healing from leprosy (verse 21), wealth to the poor (verse 22), children to the childless (verse 21), and protection from ghosts and evil spirits (verse 20). Specifically, reciting it for forty consecutive days is said to carry the devotee across all difficulties (verse 32).
The Significance of the Peacock-Feather Fan
Verse 24 describes Shyam's 'morchhadi' (a fan made of peacock feathers) as having a magical effect when waved over the devotee's head. This object links Shyam directly to Krishna, who also adorns peacock feathers, and symbolizes Shyam's merciful, playful, and protective presence.