Shri Ram Chalisa

This indeed is the Ramayana: Rama’s going to the forest, the slaying of the golden deer, the abduction of Sita, the death of Jatayu, the dialogue with Sugriva, the destruction of Bali, the crossing of the ocean, the burning of Lanka, and then the killing of Ravana and Kumbhakarna.

O Shri Raghubira, benefactor of Your devotees, kindly listen to my humble prayer.

Whoever meditates on You day and night—there is no devotee equal to him.

Shiva Himself meditates on You in his heart; even Brahma and Indra cannot fathom Your limit.

Victory, victory, victory to Raghunatha, the compassionate Lord; may You always protect the saints.

Your messenger is the brave Hanuman, whose glory is known throughout the three worlds.

With Your mighty and fierce arms, O compassionate Lord, You slew Ravana and protected the gods.

You are the Lord of the helpless, O Master; You are ever the helper of the humble.

Even Brahma and the other gods cannot reach Your end; they always sing Your glory.

The four Vedas and the whole world are witnesses that You have preserved the honor of Your devotees.

Saraswati sings Your glories in her heart; even the king of the gods cannot reach Your limit.

Whoever utters Your name—there is none more blessed than he.

The name of Rama is boundless; the four Vedas proclaim it.

Ganapati takes Your name, and You made him the foremost object of worship.

Shesha constantly recites Your name; he bears the burden of the earth upon his head.

That burden rests upon him like a flower; no one can attain Your limit.

Bharata held Your name in his heart; therefore he was never defeated in battle.

The name Shatrughna shines in the heart; by remembering it, enemies are destroyed.

Lakshmana is obedient to Your command; he always keeps watch over the saints.

Therefore no one can conquer him in war; even Yama cannot prevail when he joins the fight.

Mahalakshmi took incarnation; in every way she reduces sin to ashes.

Sita and Rama are sung as holy; she displayed the power of Bhuvaneshwari.

She who appeared in bodily form, seeing whom the moon is put to shame.

She ever massages Your feet, and the nine treasures roll at Your feet.

The eighteen accomplishments that bring auspiciousness—they all offer themselves to You.

And whatever other powers exist, O Lord of Sita, You alone have created them all.

By Your will, millions of worlds are created; it takes not even a moment.

Whoever fixes his mind on Your feet, liberation certainly comes to him.

Listen, O Rama, You are our father; You are proclaimed as the worshipped deity of the Raghu dynasty.

You are the god of our family, our family deity; You are the divine Guru, dearer than life itself.

Whatever there is, You alone are the King; victory, victory, victory, O Lord, protect our honor.

O Rama, O nourisher of the soul, victory, victory, victory, O beloved of Dasharatha.

Victory, victory, victory, O Lord, embodiment of light; You are the attributeless Brahman, indivisible and incomparable.

Truth, truth, victory to the Lord of truth; You are the eternal truth, the inner dweller.

Whoever sings Your true praise, he certainly obtains the four fruits of life.

Shiva took a solemn oath: You have granted all accomplishments to Your devotees.

O embodiment of knowledge, bestow knowledge in my heart; salutations, salutations, victory, O Lord of the world, O King.

Blessed, blessed, blessed is Your glory; Your name removes all sorrow.

The pure truth is sung by the gods; drums resounded and conches were blown.

Truth, truth, You are the eternal truth; You alone are our body, mind, and wealth.

Whoever recites this composition, knowledge shines forth in his heart.

His cycle of birth and death is destroyed; this is the true word of my Lord Shiva.

Whoever, with other desires in his mind, offers tulsi leaves and flowers.

And offers simple greens and leaves as food, that person attains all perfection.

At the final moment, he goes to the city of Raghubara; wherever he takes birth, he is known as a devotee of Hari.

Whoever is a servant of Shri Hari and recites and sings this, he attains the abode of Vaikuntha.

One who recites this with a fixed vow for seven days, with focused mind, O servant of Hari, by the grace of Hari certainly obtains devotion.

Whoever reads this Ram Chalisa with his mind fixed on Rama’s feet, whatever desire he holds in his heart, all becomes fulfilled.