This Chalisa in praise of Lord Shiva was composed by Ayodhyadas.
Reading it with devotion removes all troubles and fulfils wishes.
Glory to Ganesh, wise son of Girija (Parvati) and root of all auspiciousness — says Ayodhyadas: grant me the blessing of fearlessness.
Glory to Parvati's husband, merciful to the humble, who always protects the saints.
The moon shines beautifully on His forehead, and serpents gleam as His earrings.
Fair-bodied, with the Ganga flowing from His head, a garland of skulls, and ash smeared on His body.
Clad in tiger skin, His splendour enchants even the serpents who behold Him.
Beloved son-in-law of mother Maina; His left half — Parvati — shines with unique beauty.
The trident in His hand looks majestic; it ever destroys His enemies.
Nandi and Ganesh beside Him look like lotuses blooming in the middle of an ocean.
Kartikeya, Shyam and the ganas around Him — a splendour no one can describe.
Whenever the gods cried out to Him, the Lord Himself removed their sorrow.
When the demon Tarak caused great torment, all the gods together prayed to You.
You at once sent Shanmukha (Kartikeya), who slew Tarak in an instant.
You destroyed the demon Jalandhar; Your fame is known throughout the world.
You waged war on Tripurasura and in Your mercy saved everyone.
Bhagirath performed severe penance, and O Purari, You fulfilled his ancient vow by bringing down the Ganga.
Among givers none equals You; Your servants sing Your praise forever.
The Vedas sing the glory of Your name, yet none has fathomed Your indescribable, beginningless mystery.
From the churning of the ocean a searing poison emerged, and gods and demons alike burned in distress.
You showed mercy and drank it to save them — hence You are called Neelkanth, the blue-throated One.
When Ramachandra worshipped You, he conquered Lanka and entrusted it to Vibhishan.
He vowed to offer a thousand lotuses — and O Purari, then You put him to the test.
The Lord kept back one lotus, so the lotus-eyed Rama offered His own eye in worship.
Seeing such steadfast devotion, Lord Shankar was pleased and granted the desired boon.
Victory to the infinite, indestructible One who dwells in every heart and showers mercy on all.
All the wicked torment me constantly; I wander restless and find no peace.
Save me, save me, O Lord, I cry — come and rescue me at this very moment.
Take up Your trident and slay my enemies; come and free me from this crisis.
Though I have mother, father and brothers, no one asks after me in times of trouble.
O Master, my only hope is You; come and take away my heavy affliction.
You always give wealth to the poor; whoever asks of You receives the fruit.
How could I ever praise You as You deserve? Forgive now, O Lord, my failings.
O Shankar, destroyer of troubles, source of auspiciousness, remover of obstacles.
Yogis, ascetics and sages meditate on You; Sharada and Narada bow their heads to You.
Salutations, victory, salutations to Shiva — even Brahma and the gods cannot reach Your far shore.
Whoever recites this with a devoted mind receives Shambhu's own help.
One weighed down by debt who recites this is freed from it and sanctified.
One who longs for a child shall surely receive Shiva's grace.
One should invite a pandit on Trayodashi and have the homa rite performed with full focus.
One who always observes the Trayodashi fast finds no suffering dwelling in the body.
Offer incense, lamp and food, and recite the Chalisa before Shankar.
The sins of countless births are destroyed, and in the end one attains Shiva's own abode.
Says Ayodhyadas: my hope rests in You — knowing this, remove all my sorrows.
Vowing a daily discipline each morning, I recite the Chalisa — O Lord of the universe, fulfil my wishes. In Margashirsha, Shashthi, Hemant season, Samvat 64, Kalyan completed this forty-verse praise of Shiva.
Always sing the Shiv Aarti after the Shiv Chalisa. This is the most famous aarti of Lord Shiva.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara, Swami Jai Shiv Omkara.
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv, ardhaangi dhaara. Om Jai Shiv Omkara...
Ekaanan chaturaanan panchaanan raaje.
Hansaasan garudaasan vrishvaahan saaje. Om Jai Shiv Omkara...
Do bhuj chaar chaturbhuj dash bhuj ati sohe.
Trigun roop nirakhte, tribhuvan jan mohe. Om Jai Shiv Omkara...
Akshamaala vanmaala mundamaala dhaari.
Tripuraari kansaari kar maala dhaari. Om Jai Shiv Omkara...
Shvetaambar peetaambar baaghaambar ange.
Sankaadik garudaadik bhootaadik sange. Om Jai Shiv Omkara...
Kar ke madhya kamandalu chakra trishool dharta.
Jagkarta jagbharta jag samhaarkarta. Om Jai Shiv Omkara...
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv jaanat aviveka.
Pranavaakshar mein shobhit yah trived ka teeka. Om Jai Shiv Omkara...
Om Jai Shiv Omkara, Swami Jai Shiv Omkara.
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv, ardhaangi dhaara. Om Jai Shiv Omkara...
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is the most powerful mantra of Lord Shiva. Chant it 108 times for health, long life and freedom from crisis.
Om tryambakam yajaamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam.
Urvaarukamiva bandhanaan mrityormuksheeya maamritaat.
This famous Shiv Stuti describes the Ashutosh, compassionate form of Lord Shiva. Reciting it on Mondays and Shivratri is especially fruitful.
Aashutosh shashaank shekhar, chandra mauli chidambara.
Koti koti pranaam Shambhu, koti naman digambara.
Nirvikaar Omkaar avinaashi, tumhi devaadhi dev.
Jagat sarjak pralay karta, Shivam satyam sundara.
Niraakaar swaroop kaaleshwar, maha yogeeshwara.
Dayaanidhi daaneshwar jai, jataadhaar abhayankara.
Shool paani trishool dhaari, aughadi baaghambari.
Jai Mahesh trilochanaya, Vishwanaath vishambhara.
Naath Naageshwar haro har, paap shaap abhishaap tam.
Mahaadev mahaan bhole, sada Shiv Shiv Shankara.
Jagat pati anurakti bhakti, sadaiv tere charan ho.
Kshama ho aparaadh sab, jai jayati jagdeeshwara.
Janam jeevan jagat ka, santaap taap mite sabhi.
Om Namah Shivaay man, japta rahe panchaakshara.
Reciting with the right method multiplies the fruit. Here is a simple 5-step method, the required items and the benefits of the recitation.
Bathe in the morning and wear clean clothes. Meditate on Shiva and take a vow for your wish.
Anoint the Shivling with Gangajal and milk, then offer belpatra, dhatura, sandalwood and bhasma.
Like the opening doha of the Chalisa, first remember Shri Ganesh and ask for the blessing of fearlessness.
Sit calmly and recite 1, 5 or 11 times with clear pronunciation.
After the recitation sing the Om Jai Shiv Omkara aarti and ask forgiveness for known or unknown mistakes.
Recitation on Mondays, Trayodashi, Shivratri and in the month of Sawan is especially fruitful. A daily morning practice is best.
Mere darshan of the 12 self-manifested Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva destroys sins.
| Jyotirlinga | Place |
|---|---|
| Somnath | Prabhas Patan, Gujarat |
| Mallikarjuna | Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh |
| Mahakaleshwar | Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh |
| Omkareshwar | Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh |
| Kedarnath | Kedarnath, Uttarakhand |
| Bhimashankar | Pune, Maharashtra |
| Vishwanath | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
| Trimbakeshwar | Nashik, Maharashtra |
| Vaidyanath | Deoghar, Jharkhand |
| Nageshwar | Dwarka, Gujarat |
| Rameshwaram | Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu |
| Grishneshwar | Aurangabad, Maharashtra |
The Shiv Chalisa is a 40-verse hymn describing the glory of Lord Shiva. Reading it calms the mind, removes negative thoughts and builds confidence. As its phalashruti promises, Lord Shambhu Himself helps the sincere reader — troubles recede, a way out of debt opens up and wishes are fulfilled. Mondays, the month of Sawan and Shivratri are considered especially fruitful, but even a small daily practice brings both discipline and devotion into life.
Early morning after bathing, in a quiet and clean place, is considered the best time — the Chalisa itself says "nitta nem kar praatah hi, paath karaun chaaleesa". Mondays (the day of Shiva), Trayodashi, Pradosh, Mahashivratri and the month of Sawan carry special importance. If mornings are not possible, it can also be read in the evening after lighting a lamp. The large letters on this page make reading from a mobile easy at both times.
The Shiv Chalisa describes the qualities, pastimes and grace of Lord Shiva in 40 verses — His forms as Neelkanth, Gangadhar, Tripurari and Mahadev, the slaying of Tarakasura and Jalandhara, drinking the poison at Samudra-manthan and His grace on devotees. Lines like "Jai Girija pati deen dayaala" mean that Shiva is merciful to the humble and protects the saints. On this website, tap the "Meaning" button under any verse to read its English meaning.
The traditionally stated benefits are — (1) freedom from fear, crisis and mental stress, (2) greater focus and inner strength, (3) a way out of debt ("riniyaan jo koi ho adhikaari"), (4) the blessing of children ("putra heen kar ichchha joi"), (5) relief from suffering with the Trayodashi fast, and (6) the faith of reaching Shiva’s abode in the end. The greatest benefit is a daily few minutes of remembrance that keeps the mind steady all day.
Reading it at least once daily is ideal. Traditions of 5 or 11 recitations exist according to faith, and a vow of continuous recitation for 21 or 108 days is taken for a special wish. The Chalisa itself prescribes inviting a pandit on Trayodashi and performing a homa. Beginners are advised to take a vow of 1 reading a day for 11 or 21 days first, then increase. Pronunciation, attention and regularity matter more than the count.
The main rules are simple — (1) bathe, wear clean clothes and choose a calm, clean spot, (2) meditate on Shiva and take a vow for your wish, (3) if possible, anoint a Shivling with Gangajal and milk and offer belpatra, sandalwood and bhasma, (4) remember Shri Ganesh first, then recite with clear pronunciation, (5) after the recitation sing the "Om Jai Shiv Omkara" aarti and ask forgiveness for known or unknown mistakes. Abstaining from meat and alcohol with a sattvik lifestyle is prescribed during anushthan — but the greatest rule is faith and regularity.
Yes — reading the Shiv Chalisa in the evening, especially during Pradosh kaal (around sunset), is considered very auspicious. Pradosh is itself the special time of Lord Shiva’s worship, so reading on Monday evenings or daily at dusk with a lamp is fully proper. Just keep the place calm and clean, and wash your hands and face before sitting. Mornings are called "nitta nem", but an evening practice is far better than skipping — the Lord sees devotion, not the clock.
Gangajal, milk, belpatra, dhatura, sandalwood, bhasma, a lamp and naivedya are enough. Most important are faith and clear pronunciation — materials are secondary, devotion is primary. This page’s large-font option and clean layout are made exactly for reading on a mobile after bathing in a quiet corner.
The Shiv Chalisa is a 40-verse hymn describing Shiva’s qualities and pastimes, while the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is a Vedic seed mantra chanted 108 times for health and freedom from crisis. The two complement each other, and both are given on this page — first the 40 verses, then the mantra.
Yes, there is no restriction of age or background — women and men, young and old, can all recite it with faith. The only rule is purity and sincerity. If Devanagari is difficult, start with this Roman-script English page and move to the Hindi original over time.
